Seedlings purchased in March: how to preserve them before planting

The question of how to preserve seedlings purchased in March before planting is a pressing one for many gardeners. They are often purchased as early as January or February, but in central Russia, they don't begin planting until late April or even early May. How do you preserve planting material?

Visual inspection, removal of excess

Before storing them, you'll need to check them. The future quality of the seedlings directly depends on this, so don't ignore this step. Sometimes, buds are already growing but haven't reached two centimeters. If this is the case, they can safely be stored in a relatively cool and dark place.

Advice! When dried or damaged shoots showing signs of fungal infestation are seen during inspection, they are trimmed with pruning shears. It's important to remove them promptly, otherwise, during storage, the problem could spread to the entire plant.

You'll also need to trim any overly long shoots with sharp, clean pruning shears. It's recommended to treat the disinfectant with brilliant green. The root system also needs to be checked. Long, broken roots should be shortened or removed. Sometimes the roots may be overdried; in this case, soak them in a damp cloth for a while.

If they are put into storage seedlings roThey always check the site where the graft was made. It's usually located high up and doesn't have a protective paraffin plug. This area should be wrapped in plastic.

Bookmark for storage

Now the prepared seedlings need to be wrapped in clean plastic film. It's important that the film be thin. Poke several holes in it. It's important to ensure a good seal, otherwise they may deteriorate during storage. Be sure to wrap the entire top layer in newspaper and secure it with rubber bands.

But that's not all; now they need to be placed in clean, dry plastic containers. This is how they'll be stored in a cool place.

Storage Compliance

Next, you'll need to maintain the correct humidity and temperature conditions. This will require careful monitoring of these parameters throughout the months the seedlings are stored.

Smaller ones can be safely stored even on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. If possible, they can be moved to a dark cellar. It's important to keep the ambient temperature around freezing.

At this temperature, the plants will enter a period of natural dormancy and will be able to successfully endure the waiting period until they are planted.

Important! Avoid disturbing the planting material, removing the film, or otherwise disrupting it to ensure a peaceful winter. You can check the buds every thirty days, but do so with extreme caution.

If the seedlings are large

These could be currants, apple trees, or various ornamental shrubs. Obviously, putting them in the refrigerator is definitely not an option. A basement with a temperature between 0°C and 2°C is essential. The plants can be placed in boxes filled with sand, but the root system should not even be wrapped.

As for the branches, sprinkling them with sand is sufficient. However, the sand must be moist to prevent the buds from drying out completely during storage. Sometimes herbaceous perennials need to be preserved until planting. This is also done in the basement, with the plants placed in boxes filled with sand.

Advice! All of the situations described are suitable for seedlings whose buds have not yet developed and have not yet awakened. If the plant is already awakening, it should be planted and grown like a regular houseplant until transplanting outdoors. It's important that the air temperature isn't too hot and that there's enough light for all the plants.

A word about apple trees

In early spring, many people buy apple tree seedlingsMany gardeners advise storing them on the plot by burying them.

If there's still snow, they can be placed under it. In urban areas, they'll need to be placed in a soil-filled substrate and kept on the balcony.

Another good way is to wrap the roots in a damp cloth and a plastic bag and place them in a cool place.