Hello Hivers, so today I thought about sharing my research work and practical experience on how to raise tomato seedlings that give almost 100% germination success and also perform very well when transplanted to the field or even containers.
In tomato production, the nursery stage is very important. If you get it right from the beginning, you save yourself a lot of stress later. For this nursery, we decided to use seed trays instead of the normal nursery bed because it helps with better seed control, reduces disease issues, and makes transplanting easier.
The growing medium we used was cocopeat mixed with poultry manure. The poultry manure was properly grinded and sterilized before use to avoid pests and diseases. The mixing ratio was 1:2 (poultry manure to cocopeat). This mixture provides good water retention, proper aeration, and enough nutrients to support early seedling growth.
The tomato variety used for this nursery is Mona F1, a hybrid tomato variety known for its strong vigor, uniform growth, and good yield potential when well managed.
How I Raised the Tomato Nursery
First, the seed trays were properly washed and filled with the prepared growing medium. Care was taken not to press the medium too much so the roots can grow freely.
After filling the trays, one tomato seed was planted per hole at a shallow depth and lightly covered. Planting too deep can affect germination, so this step was done carefully.
Watering was done gently immediately after planting to avoid disturbing the seeds. After that, watering was done moderately not too much, not too small just enough to keep the medium moist.
The trays were placed under shade to protect the seedlings from direct sunlight and heavy rain. Good airflow was also ensured to prevent fungal infections, which is a common problem in tomato nurseries.
After a few days, germination started, and the seedlings came out uniformly. At this stage, close monitoring was very important because tomato seedlings are still very tender.
Why Seed Tray Nursery Works Better
From experience, using seed trays helps us:
- Reduce seed wastage
- Achieve uniform germination
- Minimize transplant shock
- Control diseases better
- Save space and time
Once the nursery is healthy, the field performance is usually better.
Final Note
Raising tomato seedlings may look simple, but it requires attention and patience. Starting well is the secret to getting good yield later.
In my next post, i'll share my experience on raising tomato nursery for commercial purpose, but the stress level is higher. lol.😂
Thanks for reading.