Lettuce seed soaking and sprouting techniques: this makes germination easier

Lettuce seeds generally need 10 days of planting to germinate. Unlike other vegetables, they are generally very difficult to germinate under natural conditions, so before planting they usually need to be sprouted before sowing. Below, let's take a look with the editor at lettuce sprouting and sowing techniques.

Seed soaking and sprouting method

The suitable germination temperature for lettuce seeds is between 15-25°C. Above 25°C, the seed germination rate drops noticeably. Under natural conditions, seed germination is relatively difficult, so fresh seed soaking is needed, and sprouting should be carried out in a 15-20°C environment. The spring lettuce seed soaking and sprouting method is to soak the seeds in warm water at 25-30°C for 7-8 hours, remove them and let them dry slightly, then place them at 15-20°C to sprout. When 80% of the seeds have sprouted, they can be sown. In summer, low-temperature treatment can be used, such as hanging them in a well to sprout. The seeds can be hung in a well, because the temperature inside a water well is relatively low and the humidity is high, which can also make them sprout quickly.

Sowing method

1. Soil selection

The soil for cultivating lettuce is best relatively loose, fertile and well-drained, to avoid water accumulation affecting seed growth. If you want the seeds to emerge as quickly as possible, you can add a little humus to the soil, which is extremely beneficial for seed growth.

2. Sowing

Lettuce seeds are small and light, so when sowing they need to be mixed with fine sand, stirred evenly in a container, then scattered on the seedbed, and covered with 0.5-1 cm of soil. Under suitable temperature conditions, sprouted seeds emerge extremely quickly.

3. Seedling stage management

During the seedling stage, lettuce should keep the soil moist, not too dry. When the seedlings grow to 2-3 true leaves, they can be thinned, with a plant spacing of 5-8 cm.

4. Transplanting

Lettuce can be transplanted when it grows to 5-6 true leaves. When transplanting, water thoroughly once, and transplant together with the roots into a large pot. For loose-leaf lettuce, the plant spacing is 15 cm, and 30 cm for heading types. Water thoroughly. In summer, first place it in a shady spot to recover, and after about 1 week, once the roots have established, give it normal sunlight.

5. Fertilizing

Lettuce can be fertilized once one week after transplanting, with fully decomposed organic fertilizer being best. After two weeks and four weeks from transplanting, apply organic fertilizer or a compound fertilizer mainly of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium once each. Stop fertilizing two weeks before harvest.

6. Watering

In high temperatures, lettuce should be watered once in the morning and once in the evening. Small amounts and frequent watering are best, but waterlogging should be avoided. In the early growth stage, it is suitable to control water and just keep the soil moist.

  The above is an introduction to how to grow lettuce so it germinates easily. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.