What is the correct method for pre-sprouting corn seeds?
How do you pre-sprout corn seeds? What should you pay attention to when pre-sprouting corn seeds? Experienced gardeners are also asked to share their advice, such as: if corn seeds cannot be sown during the optimal sowing period, the variety has a longer growth period, and the soil moisture is good, the pre-sprouting sowing method can be used, which can make corn emerge 5 days earlier and mature 3-5 days earlier...
How do you pre-sprout corn seeds? What should you pay attention to when pre-sprouting corn seeds? Experienced gardeners are also asked to share their adviceIf corn seeds cannot be sown during the optimal sowing period, the variety has a longer growth period, and the soil moisture is good, the pre-sprouting sowing method can be used, which can make corn emerge 5 days earlier and mature 3-5 days earlier; therefore Zhongdiwang has compiled the methods and precautions for pre-sprouting corn seeds, listed in detail below for gardeners' reference.
Steps for pre-sprouting corn seeds:
Step 1, soaking the corn seeds:
Pour the sun-dried seeds into a container holding cool water, with the water surface 8-10 cm above the seeds. Generally, varieties are soaked for 8-10 hours; for floury-type varieties, the soaking time should not exceed 8 hours.
Step 2, pre-sprouting the corn seeds:
First spread a layer of plastic sheeting flat on a heated brick bed (kang); spread a layer of straw about 10 cm thick on the plastic sheeting; then lay burlap sacks or old cloth pieces on the straw; then rinse the soaked seeds once with 50°C warm water, the purpose being to raise the seed temperature; drain the rinsed, warmed seeds well; place them on the laid-out burlap sacks or cloth pieces, with the seed layer no more than 10 cm thick; finally cover the seeds with burlap sacks or cloth pieces washed in warm water to keep them warm and promote sprouting.
Place a thermometer in the pre-sprouting seeds and keep the temperature between 25-32°C. Check the seed temperature every 3-4 hours and turn them over once, top to bottom, to prevent the seeds from being scorched by excessive heat. Generally, the sprouts will be fully out in 36-48 hours.
Precautions for pre-sprouting corn:
Precaution 1: For seeds coated with a seed treatment agent, wash off the seed coating before pre-sprouting, so as not to affect the sprouting rate.
Precaution 2: For the method of sowing with the plow or in dug holes, the sprouts only need to be about 2 mm long before being air-dried and sown. For sowing with a seeder or a hole puncher, the sprouts should be grown a little longer, generally to a sprout length of about 4 mm; rub off the sprouts, air-dry them, and then sow, so as not to affect the sowing quality. What first grows from pre-sprouted corn seeds is the root; air-drying or rubbing it off will not affect the seed's growth.
Precaution 3: Corn seeds that have already been pre-sprouted generally should not be coated again, to prevent chemical injury. If corn head smut is severe and seed treatment is truly needed, you can treat the seeds with 2% carboxin wettable powder.
Precaution 4: Pre-sprout in stages. Plan the daily sowing amount, sprout only as much as you will use, and pre-sprout in stages.
Precaution 5: If the pre-sprouted seeds cannot be sown in time, you can place the sprouted seeds in a cool, shaded place at 2-4°C to control the growth of the young sprouts, but the time must not be too long.
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