Seedlings in eggshells - a simple, practical and profitable solution
For any gardener or summer resident, not only the result is always important, but also the process of growing seedlings. And it should be beneficial in every sense. Therefore, growing seedlings in eggshells is one of the best options for sowing seeds. This is a convenient way to get tomato sprouts , cucumbers, peas, beans, peppers, pumpkin, zucchini, eggplant.
Benefits of growing seedlings in eggshell
Seeds that germinate at home under normal temperature conditions in most cases give strong sprouts. However, there are a number of advantages when growing seedlings in eggshells. These include:
- environmental friendliness - eggshells decompose very quickly;
- the minimum amount of costs - when eating eggs, the container for seeds is purchased automatically;
- natural fertilizer - the shell enriches the soil with various nutrients;
- practicality - during transplantation, the root system of the plant is not damaged.
What is needed to grow seedlings in eggshells?
Asking the question: how to grow seedlings in eggshells, you need to know the list of components that will definitely be needed in this process. These include:
- eggshells;
- plants' seeds;
- priming;
- egg carton;
- film;
- awl or needle;
- knife;
- water, saucepan and stove.
Harvesting egg pots for seedlings
The finished shells must be boiled in water for at least three minutes. Thus, bacteria and unpleasant odors are destroyed from them. Then the eggshells are dried. Store them in a dry, dark place to avoid mold.
Planting seeds in egg pots
Each resulting egg pot is placed in the wells of a cardboard box. This will protect them from breaking. Further, a little more than half of the pots are filled with soil. After that, the seeds are planted. As in other cases, in order to obtain high-quality seedlings in eggshells, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations for planting depth, depending on the type and variety of plants. You also need to calculate the time of emergence of sprouts from the moment of sowing.
The prepared seedlings are placed in a warm, well-lit place. The soil should be regularly watered, but not to the point of "waterlogging".
Transplanting sprouts when growing seedlings in eggshell
When the time has come, the seedlings are transplanted. This is done with the shell, which is lightly pressed down by hand. The roots of the plant will subsequently grow through the cracks formed. It is very important to know how to grow seedlings in eggshell and at the same time achieve rapid plant growth. In such cases, a greenhouse effect is required. For it, not cardboard, but transparent plastic packaging is used. Its cover allows more room for the seedlings to grow.Closing the box creates a mini greenhouse with wonderful lighting that is vital for plant development.
In the absence of a plastic container, you can wrap a cardboard box with planted pots with cling film for the first week.
Thanks to the eggshell, the plants have additional feeding. After all, it contains lime, reduces acidity and improves soil structure. All this contributes to an excellent harvest.
Video: growing seedlings of cucumbers in eggshell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qarjs6se31Q
What will modern gardeners-inventors not come up with! I first heard about this method of growing seedlings several years ago. Of course, I wanted to try. Good way. Very relevant for those who want to save space. After all, the shell is small and, having laid it in the egg box, it takes up very little space on the windowsill. I got a good seedling.
seeds sown in eggshells do not germinate. those that sprout grow strong. but one seed out of fifty sprouts. and it is true. fortunately, I buy a lot of seeds, now I'm waiting for the germination (?) of the third sowing and I will throw all these "pots" away. but they look beautiful. Today I made cups without a bottom from bags of cereals, pasta and what to eat. I do not like when seedlings are crowded, and to unravel the roots. in a roll they sprout in different ways. and here I took out the necessary glass, it is two fingers thick, I cut the cellophane and put the column in a new place. just before planting do not water and the garden soil does not crumble