Causes and Prevention of Dead Seedlings after Transplanting Greenhouse Vegetable Seedlings
When transplanting vegetable seedlings, it is common practice to perform 1 to 2 rounds of "sub-seedling" or "transplanting." This process helps expand the growing area, encourages root development, prevents leggy growth, and ultimately produces stronger, healthier plants. One of the main reasons for seedling death during transplanting includes low soil temperature in the seedbed. If the soil is too cold, seedlings may not establish roots properly and will eventually die. Factors contributing to low soil temperature include late bed preparation, insufficient warming before transplanting, excessive watering during seedling division, or leaks in greenhouse coverings that allow rainwater to seep in, further lowering the temperature. Cold soil hinders root development and makes it difficult for seedlings to recover after being transplanted. Another cause of seedling loss is damage to the roots or stems during the transplanting process. Some seedlings may have underdeveloped root systems, making them weak and prone to failure after being moved. Others might be handled too roughly, with their tender stems damaged, which disrupts water and nutrient flow, leading to plant death. Additionally, if seedlings are left exposed for too long before planting, they can lose too much moisture, causing wilting and making recovery difficult even with watering. Delayed transplanting is also a problem, especially for crops like cucumbers, where large seedlings struggle to survive without their root ball intact. Lastly, fertilizer burn can occur when seedlings are planted in soil that contains unfamiliar or over-concentrated fertilizers, which can scorch the roots and kill the plants. To prevent these issues, proper seedling hardening before transplanting is essential. This involves gradually exposing seedlings to outdoor conditions, reducing temperatures, increasing ventilation, and limiting watering to help them adapt more easily. Seedlings should be divided at the appropriate stage—such as two leaves and one heart for eggplants, three leaves and one heart for cabbages and cauliflowers, and generally not divided for cucumbers, which are usually transplanted in a nutrient block. Ensuring the seedbed has sufficient warmth is crucial. For example, broccoli seedlings require soil temperatures above 16°C, while cabbages need at least 8°C. When transplanting, care must be taken to avoid damaging the roots and stems. The soil should be slightly compacted, and seedlings should be gently placed into prepared holes, followed by watering and covering the trenches. It’s important to handle seedlings carefully during lifting and transport, using damp cloths to reduce water loss. Only healthy, strong seedlings should be selected, and any that are weak, diseased, or deformed should be discarded. Finally, after transplanting, shading is necessary, especially on sunny days. Seedlings should be placed in greenhouses or shaded areas to protect them from direct sunlight, which can stress the newly transplanted plants. Using shade covers every few days can help maintain optimal conditions and improve survival rates. Omega-3 Fish Oil,Fish Oil 10/50 Tg,Omega 3 Fish Oil,10/50 Tg Fish Oil ZHOUSHAN SINOMEGA BIOTECH ENGINEERING CO.,LTD , https://www.sinomegabiotech.com