Before sowing zucchini, gardeners usually soak the seeds. This stimulates the growth of vegetables, allows you to select viable seed material for planting. How to soak zucchini seeds before planting? Is this procedure so important? Everything in order.

What gives soaking seeds

If the squash seeds are already old, they are unlikely to germinate naturally. In this case, a logical question arises whether it is necessary to do something with the seeds or is it better to just plant them, counting on a miracle. First of all, it is recommended to evaluate the appearance of the seeds. If they have strange stains and an unpleasant smell, the only solution is to throw them away because they are no longer good for anything.

Two factors have a strong influence on the germination of most plants: light and humidity. If these indicators are normal, then the seeds will remain for a long time and it will be easy to grow zucchini from them.

Additional Information!Zucchini and pumpkin seeds are very similar in appearance and composition. The gardener should be very careful not to confuse them.

So is it necessary to soak the zucchini at all before planting, or is there no particular need for it? It should be remembered that this procedure definitely needs only those seeds that have been lying in one place for a long time and have dried out a little.

If they were bought recently and are much better in quality than the old ones, then it is not necessary to soak. However, it should be remembered that it depends on how many days after planting zucchini sprout. It can take up to 10 days without soaking. Seeds germinated in advance will sprout in 5-7 days and will be much stronger.

Zucchini, do I need to soak before planting

If you want to grow a large and tasty harvest of zucchini, you should carefully study the features of this vegetable, including the rules for soaking. This process stimulates growth while preserving most of the nutrients, which means it will bring many benefits.

Preparation for soaking

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The seeds go through several stages before soaking. They consist in the selection of the highest quality seeds (calibration process), treatment with various means and disinfection.

On a note!To increase the amount of the crop and improve its quality, the soil and seeds must be prepared for planting. If the gardener wants to achieve good results, he should consider all factors.

Damaged seeds should not be allowed to plant - there will still be no sense from them, and the owner of the garden will waste time trying to germinate them.

Before direct soaking, a number of preparatory measures are carried out, which are aimed at thorough disinfection. The easiest way is to keep the zucchini seeds in the open sun for a week in a dry, ventilated area.

Be sure to pay attention to the husk of the squash seeds. The denser it is, the longer it will take to soak to soften the shell and release a small portion of the oils.

Soaking process

Do I need to soak beet seeds before planting

Take a medium-sized container and fill it with water from melting snow or melting ice. But, alternatively, you can also buy liquid at the nearest store (still drinking water or bottled water).Purchase or collect in advance - everyone can decide for themselves.

The next step is to lay out the seeds on a damp cloth (regular gauze will do). This should be done not chaotically, but evenly. Next, another layer of fabric is applied over the seeds.

Soak the seeds

The temperature of the water in which the seeds will be soaked should not exceed 33-36 ° C. The container with the liquid is placed in a dark corner and waited for some time, periodically changing the brown water to a new one.

Don't worry about the lack of oxygen in your squash seeds. Water always contains a small amount of oxygen bubbles. You can not leave the seeds in liquid for a long period of time (the best option is 17 hours, no more and no less). Otherwise, they will swell quite strongly, and then the shell will simply fall off from them.

Solutions to accelerate growth and improve crop quality

Today in stores there is a huge number of all kinds of preparations for horticultural crops that improve growth, vitality, and increase immunity. Solutions suitable for zucchini are sold almost everywhere. The most popular are:

  • Eliton - one of the most famous drugs designed to increase the yield. The composition contains plant elements, thanks to which the plant easily adapts to adverse environmental conditions. It is used to protect against frost, with a lack of ultraviolet rays, and more. Quite often, such a solution is used as the main protective agent for the treatment of early crops.
  • Zircon - a natural regulator of crop disease resistance. The active ingredient is chicory acid. The formula contains purple echinacea, which speeds up the growth of vegetables and strengthens their roots. The period of active use is the appearance of the first shoots. Thanks to the use of Zircon, the viability of the plant increases (pathogenic microorganisms die), the germination of seeds is accelerated, and bacteria harmful to human health are destroyed. Compatible with many drugs (except alkaline solutions). The seeds are left in solution for 15-19 hours.
  • Humate - a biological stimulant that is not inferior in its properties to the previous two agents. Made from humic acid-based potassium salt. Increases the quality of the crop, fertility, vitality, immunity of squash, strengthens the roots and fruits. The period of use is vegetation and sowing.
  • Epin extra - a highly effective preparation used in floriculture and horticulture. The composition contains a natural hormone, which is produced by the vegetables themselves and the active ingredient is epibrassinolide. It is often used in conjunction with vitamins, insecticides, fertilizers, fungicides and other preparations to improve the quality of the crop. Increases frost resistance, productivity, accelerates the growth process, strengthens the root system, rejuvenates, removes harmful substances from the plant that have a negative effect on the human body. The seeds germinate much faster under the action of the drug.
  • Fitosporin- a microbiological agent designed to protect plants from attacks of harmful microorganisms and increase vitality. The composition includes pesticides, fungicides. Release form - paste, solution, powder. Provided it is used correctly (careful study of the instructions, the use of gloves), the drug is safe for humans.

Growth stimulator Zicron

Soaking cucumber seeds before planting

In addition, you can use a simple homemade composition. It is done simply - 200 ml of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate solution) is dissolved in water (1 l). The resulting liquid is poured into a container and zucchini seeds are placed in it. Insist 10-14 hours.

It is interesting!Zucchini contain a huge amount of nutrients. These include santonin, retinol, pectin, fiber, and many others. They have a beneficial effect on the human body.And also help to fight diseases of the nerves, heart, bladder, blood vessels, endocrine system.

Zucchini growth depends on many factors. This list includes seed quality, soil preparation, correct temperature, humidity, light.

Herbal preparations to accelerate seed growth

Means based on herbal ingredients are very popular among summer residents. It usually does not take much effort to prepare a natural growth stimulant.

  • Kalanchoe and aloe. The juice of these plants is able to accelerate the growth of vegetables and increase their immunity. To prepare the seed "bath", you will need 5 leaves of aloe (or Kalanchoe), which are crushed to a state of liquid porridge. The finished mixture is placed in a container, then poured with water (boiled). Leave for half a day in a dark place.
  • Potato juice. It is considered a good plant treatment agent. It nourishes and accelerates growth. The juice is enriched with useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the condition of vegetables. The juice squeezed from the potatoes together with the seeds are placed in a container. Leave in a dark place for 10 hours.
  • Ash. An unconventional but effective natural growth stimulant. It contains mineral components and other useful substances.
    Preparation - the ash is placed in a small jar or bucket, filled with water. They wait for some time (2 days), and then add seeds to the mixture and leave for 5 hours in a place where ultraviolet rays do not penetrate.
  • Another highly effective drug for accelerating growth and enhancing immunity is solution based on a bee product. Cooking requires honey (1/5 tablespoon) and water. The ingredients are mixed in a glass or other container. It is recommended to keep the seeds for 4-7 hours.
  • Mushroom infusion. To prepare such a remedy, you will need mushrooms (in dried form), boiling water and a container into which the ingredients will be placed later. Exposure time 5 hours. This product is enriched with vitamins.
  • Using onion peels along with ash is also considered an effective way to stimulate growth. Preparation of a complex infusion - put the husk in a container and fill it with water (boiling water). Insist, cool and add ash (solution).

Attention! For effective germination and strengthening of seeds, you only need to use one solution! No need to soak the seeds in each one in turn!

After all of the above, the question arises, is it necessary to soak the seeds of zucchini at all before planting? Each summer resident has his own opinion on this matter. But one thing is for sure - old seeds are 95% likely to need such a procedure. Without her, they are unlikely to sprout and harvest. Fresh seeds, of course, will sprout without soaking, but this will be much later.