Detailed Explanation of Lettuce Seedling Raising Methods and Technical Points
Lettuce is actually what we call celtuce, and in some places it is also called qianjincai, qingsun, and so on. Lettuce has the characteristics of preferring cool temperatures, being intolerant of high temperatures, preferring moisture, and preferring fertile soil, so we have certain requirements for the climate conditions of the planting site as well as the soil, water, and light conditions. So today, the editor wants to share with you the seedling raising methods for lettuce cultivation. Let's take a look at how lettuce seedlings are cultivated.
1. Seed selection and treatment
After long-term improvement, lettuce varieties have achieved year-round cultivation on the market. Lettuce planted in different seasons uses different selected varieties. After choosing the variety to plant, we need to screen seeds that are plump and free from 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 storing them in a low-temperature environment for two to three days, with the low temperature controlled at around 2°C to 5°C. Finally, take the seeds out and place them in a cool environment for germination. Once most of the seeds have sprouted white shoots, they can be sown.
2. Seedbed site selection and preparation
Lettuce cultivation also has requirements for soil, especially the selection of the seedling raising site. It is best to use soil that is soft, 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 finely broken into granular form, made into flat beds or raised beds, and finally sown.
3. Sowing time and method
Current lettuce 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, direct sowing is most commonly used, and of course drilling 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 new high-fat film 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 also affect the seedling emergence rate of lettuce. Generally, we need to water frequently, but the amount of water each time should not be too large; just keep the seedbed soil moist. Next is to set up a shade net over the seedbed. Shading can avoid damage to the seedlings from excessively strong 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 cultivation period of lettuce, we also need to prevent the occurrence of premature bolting, and at the same time do a good job in pest and disease prevention and control, so as not to affect the lettuce seedlings and cause them to ultimately fail to be planted normally. That's all for today's sharing from the editor. If you want to learn more about lettuce cultivation, you can follow us.