Causes and Prevention of Dead Seedlings after Transplanting Greenhouse Vegetable Seedlings
When transplanting vegetable seedlings, it's common practice to perform 1 to 2 rounds of "sub-seedling" or "transplanting," which helps expand the root zone and promote healthy root development. This process also prevents leggy growth and ensures strong, resilient seedlings. However, several factors can lead to seedling death during this stage, so understanding the causes and implementing proper prevention methods is essential. One common cause of seedling death is low soil temperature in the seedbed. If the soil is too cold, seedlings may not establish roots properly after being transplanted, leading to wilting and eventual death. This can happen if the beds are prepared too late, or if excessive watering occurs during the transplanting process. Additionally, leaks in plastic covers or glass can allow rainwater to seep into the beds, lowering the soil temperature and hindering root development. Another issue is damage to the root system during transplanting. Some seedlings may have underdeveloped roots, making them vulnerable to stress after being moved. Others might be handled too roughly, causing injury to the stems or root tissues, which can result in plant death. Excessive water loss is also a problem—when seedlings are raised for too long without being planted, they can become dehydrated and wilt, even after being watered again. Delayed transplanting is another concern, especially for crops like cucumbers, where large seedlings may struggle to survive without their original soil clod. Lastly, fertilizer burn can occur if the seedbed soil contains unfamiliar or over-concentrated organic fertilizers, which can scorch the roots and kill the seedlings. To prevent these issues, several measures can be taken. First, hardening off seedlings before transplanting helps them adapt to outdoor conditions, reducing transplant shock. This involves gradually exposing them to sunlight, lowering temperatures, and increasing ventilation while limiting water use during the hardening period. It's important to avoid dividing seedlings too early. For example, eggplants should be transplanted when they have two leaves and one heart, while cabbages and cauliflowers should be at the three-leaf stage. Cucumbers are usually not divided but instead transplanted as a single unit in a nutrient block. Ensuring adequate soil temperature is crucial. For broccoli, the soil should be at least 16°C, and for cabbage, around 8°C. Proper handling during transplanting is also key—soil should be slightly compacted, and seedlings should be carefully lifted using a spade to avoid damaging the roots. Seedlings should be kept moist during transport, and only healthy, vigorous plants should be selected for transplanting. Finally, shading the seedlings after transplanting helps protect them from direct sunlight, especially on sunny days. Placing them in greenhouses or shaded areas and using hay or other materials to provide partial shade can significantly 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