Imporant to avoid too wet confitions, to keep an eye on the light intensity and temperature and to make sure seeds are placed at the right depth. If the tomato seed is placed too deep, the seedling will have to work harder to reach the surface of the substrate. That way it looses the food until it germinates to the outside. If it’s placed too shallow, it will get weak because the roots won’t have proper support.
Cover the seeds lightly with a fitting cover layer. The cover layer should not be wet. Apply the layer by sprinkling the dry material directly over the seeds, following the seeding depth calculation as shown in the infographic above. Sprinkle it loosly over the tray and brush off any excess. Next, lightly spray a little water over the layer. This top layer prevents the seed from drying out and absorbs water from the plug.
- Air humidity: 80-90%
- Temperature: at least 5-6°C lower than in the greenhouse/nursery.
- Moderately moist substrate: irrigation after sowing is sufficient. Moisture level should be 60-65%.
- Time period: Place seed trays in Germination Room immediately after sowing. Leave them there for up to 48 hours (depending on the variety).