transplanting seedlings

**zazen999** · 30-03-2009, 06:26 PM

Hi

I've moved your thread out of Growing Techniques into an appropriate board.

Many Thanks

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...here_4846.html

**FionaH** · 30-03-2009, 06:31 PM

Bearing in mind that I know nack all as its my first full year growing..........I was told by other grapes to wait till seedlings had their true leaves, so I try to go with that. I did however repot my very leggy tomato seedlings with just the baby leaves and they seem fine

**DaveInBraknell** · 30-03-2009, 06:43 PM

Hi,

It depends on the seedlings I suppose.

If you plant in Modules (Or RootTrainers) then you can leave them a while. Example I put my Tom Moneymakers in individual modules inside a seed tray for about 6 weeks (grew them under light as an experiement) they have 6 major leaves and I put them in my Raised bed in the greenhouse yesterday, root system was well established.

I would say you have to be careful transplanting plants at that stage, using fingers might be too much, perhaps a small piece of wood with a V in it to pick them out gently would help.

Personally I would wait until they have their first set of true leaves. There's no rush really and it gives them more chance to establish a decent root system and weather the disruption.

My 0.2 cents

Dave

**womble** · 30-03-2009, 06:45 PM

I only transplant tomatoes, lettuce and chillies, but I do those when the 2nd set of leaves have just started coming out. I find this better than waiting longer as they have less root growth and my thinking is that is less root damage.
You could also say that there is less roots to help it after the transplant, but I haven't lost one seedling this year yet doing it my way.

ie 2nd set, equals 1st set of true leaves

**helly** · 30-03-2009, 07:19 PM

I guess I'm abit egor this year. I have a large area to fill and also a polytunnel to fill for the 1st time.... I have never ever had so much space in my life so I just have to slow down for a while and watch those 2nd leaves come through.

**sewer rat** · 30-03-2009, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by helly View Post

Hello, is it best to transplant seedlings into bigger modules when they have their 2nd set of leaves or can I transplant when their 1st set of leaves look strong. I know this is a basic question but it will help me loads , I seem to be getting it wrong with my cabbage /cauli and sprout seedlings
cheers Helen

Hi Helly
Hope you and your acre are progreesing nicely. What size of cells did you sow the seeds in for the brassicas you mention ?
I sow mine in 54 cell packs and they stay in there until I plant them out - the roots just about fill the cell but not quite.
Also can you confirm if you are talking about 1st or 2nd set of true leaves? I think that there's a photo of some of my brassica seedlings from last year in one of my albums - you could have a lok and compare them to yours - might help -might not !!
Did you get your globe artichoke seedlings sorted out ?

**helly** · 30-03-2009, 08:56 PM

Hello Rat,I've been I've been sowing them in 60 cell packs but sowing them 2 to a cell due to lack of space. 1st true leaves I think. I also have them in the heated greenhouse how soon should I put them in the unheated greenhouse ? the Globe artichokes are ok at the moment I got some of the Cheshunt compound you mentioned. Also polytunnel nealy up and running
cheers Helly

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**sewer rat** · 30-03-2009, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by helly View Post

Hello Rat,I've been I've been sowing them in 60 cell packs but sowing them 2 to a cell due to lack of space. 1st true leaves I think. I also have them in the heated greenhouse how soon should I put them in the unheated greenhouse ? the Globe artichokes are ok at the moment I got some of the Cheshunt compound you mentioned. Also polytunnel nealy up and running
cheers Helly

Tunnel looks good !
With your brassicas, I would start transplanting them into larger cells when they have their second set of true leaves. That said, as you have double sown them, unless both seedlings are thriving, I would remove the weaker one - either by hand when you transplant them or snip it with a pair of scissors. I get this quite a lot when my seed sowing is going at full tilt and my fingers all turn into thumbs.
Brassicas can be sown now in an unheated greenhouse - they don't need to be in a heated environment, so save the heated greenhouse space for other crops.

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