A Detailed Guide to the Latest Lettuce Seedling Raising Methods and Technical Points
Lettuce is actually what we call celtuce (stem lettuce), and in some places it is also called qianjincai, qingsun, and so on. Lettuce has the characteristics of preferring cool conditions, being intolerant of high temperatures, liking moisture, and liking fertile soil, so we have certain requirements for the climatic conditions of the planting site as well as the soil, water, and light conditions. So today what the editor wants to share with you is the seedling raising method for lettuce cultivation. Let's take a look at how lettuce seedlings are raised.
1. Seed selection and treatment
After long-term improvement, lettuce varieties have achieved year-round cultivation on the market. When planting lettuce in different seasons, the varieties selected are also different. After choosing the variety to plant, we need to select plump seeds free of pest damage for planting. However, the seedling emergence rate of lettuce is not very high, so before planting we need to subject the seeds to low-temperature treatment, soaking them in water for twelve hours, then wrapping them in cloth and placing them in a low-temperature environment for two to three days, with the low temperature controlled at around two to five degrees. Finally, take the seeds out and place them in a cool environment for germination. Once most of the seeds have sprouted white, they can be sown.
2. Seedbed site selection and preparation
Lettuce cultivation also has requirements for the soil, especially the selection of the seedling raising site; it is best to use soil that is soft in texture, convenient for drainage and irrigation, and rich in fertility. After choosing the seedling raising site, we also need to prepare the soil. Generally, we add an appropriate amount of decomposed farmyard manure to the seedbed and properly scatter a small amount of compound fertilizer to improve the soil. Another thing to note is that the soil of the seedbed must be broken up finely into granular form, made into flat beds or raised beds, and finally sown.
3. Sowing time and method
Lettuce today can basically be planted all year round, so there is no specific rule for the planting time, but sowing at different times comes with different precautions, such as preventing freezing and preventing high temperatures. When sowing, the most commonly used method is direct seeding, though drilling in rows can also be used. When sowing, we should try to get the seeds into the soil, preferably covering them with a layer of fine soil and spraying a layer of Xin Gaozhi Mo liquid, which is beneficial for seed emergence.
4. Seedling stage management
After sowing, we need to water, which can promote the growth rate of the seedlings. If raising seedlings in a greenhouse, they generally emerge in about three to five days; if raising seedlings in the open field, they generally take about ten days to emerge. Before emergence, we also need to control the temperature and light in the field, otherwise it will affect the seedling emergence rate of lettuce. Generally, we water frequently, but the amount of water each time should not be too large; it is enough to keep the seedbed soil moist. Next, set up a shade net over the seedbed, as shading can avoid damage to the seedlings from excessive light. Finally, if we want the seedlings to grow quickly, we can also apply a small amount of fertilizer as a top dressing when watering, and transplant as early as possible.
During the seedling raising period of lettuce, we also need to prevent the phenomenon of early bolting and do a good job in pest and disease control, so as not to affect the lettuce seedlings and cause them to fail to be planted normally in the end. That is the end of today's sharing by the editor. If you want to learn more about lettuce cultivation, you can follow us.