The summer tomato nursery is designed to produce healthy and vigorous seedlings for transplanting in mid-September. To ensure success, the following technical guidelines should be followed:
1. **Select high-quality seeds**. Choose early-maturing varieties that are adaptable, disease-resistant, and high-yielding, such as Lufen 2, Zifen 65, Zaofeng, and Zaokui. In areas where viral diseases are more common, opt for virus-resistant, medium-to-late maturing varieties like Qiang Mi Shou, Qiang Feng, Lufen No. 1, Shuangkang No. 2, and Zhongza No. 4. However, make sure to plant them early enough to allow for two ear fruits after transplanting and to perform early topping.
2. **Choose a suitable nursery site**. Select an area that has not been used for tomatoes or peppers (solanaceous crops) in the past three years. The location should have good irrigation and drainage. In regions prone to viral infections, avoid planting near cucumber fields. The nursery beds should be 1–1.5 meters wide, either semi-high raised beds or flat ridges, with well-decomposed organic matter and sufficient fertility.
3. **Determine the right sowing date**. In northern regions, late July to early August is generally ideal. Sowing too early can expose seedlings to prolonged high temperatures, increasing disease risk. Sowing too late may result in fewer fruits before the weather turns cold, reducing yield. In areas with mild disease pressure and cooler summers, you can sow later. For medium- to late-maturing varieties, early sowing is recommended, while early-maturing types should be sown later.
4. **Pre-treat the seeds before sowing**. Three to four days before planting, soak the seeds in a 10% trisodium phosphate solution for 20 minutes to inactivate any viruses. Rinse thoroughly with water, then place the seeds in warm water at 50°C, stir until cooled to 30°C, and soak for 3 hours. After removing and draining the seeds, wrap them in a damp cloth and keep them at room temperature for germination. Water the germinating seeds once daily to prevent mold. Once germinated, water the seedbed, plant the seeds in the afternoon, and cover with 1–1.5 cm of soil.
5. **Manage the seedbed after sowing**. Cover the nursery with shade cloth during the hottest part of the day (10:00 am to 3:00 pm) using a wooden frame. Once the seedlings emerge, spray insecticides like malathion or omethoate diluted 800–1000 times every 5–7 days to control aphids. Water the seedlings when dry, and cover with plastic film during rainy days to protect the seedlings.
6. **Care for the seedlings**. When transplanting, use well-prepared seedbeds with base fertilizer. If the soil is poor, mix 1 kg of NPK compound fertilizer per 33.3 square meters into the soil. Ensure the soil is well-mixed and smooth. Transplant seedlings when they have 2–3 true leaves and are 10–12 cm tall. Provide shade during the hottest parts of the day before and after planting. Avoid overwatering, and water only when necessary. Three to five days before transplanting, cut the seedlings and take precautions against rain to ensure they are ready for planting with proper soil coverage.
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