It isn’t all that difficult, but does take a little time and effort. To be honest, potting up is a task I dread for some reason. It is simply the act of transplanting seedlings “up” into larger containers than they were previously living in. Potting up couldn’t get any more literal. Those tomato seedlings on the left need to be potted up still! The ones on the right just were. After a couple weeks, plant the seedlings in a prepared seed bed and watch them grow.Today’s potting up victims. This will prevent the stress that is associated with seedling failure after outdoor transplanting. Move them outside for longer and longer periods to acclimate them to the wind, light levels, temperature and generally get them used to the idea that they will be outdoor plants soon. Two weeks before planting them outside, gradually introduce your babies to the conditions. This is done before your plants are introduced to the garden bed. Hardening off is a step that shouldn’t be skipped. As an added bonus, the container will break down and add nutrients to the soil. You can use any container, but peat pots and other compostable materials allow for easy insertion into the garden bed without damaging roots. Use a good sterile soil again and water them well immediately. Spoon out the seedlings to avoid damaging the stem by lifting them. You’ll know when it is time if you can see roots out of the bottom of the cell. Plants grown in peat cells should receive a new pot that will allow for future growth. Successful care for seedlings once sprouted will take you on the road to transplanting. Thin the plants where multiple seeds have sprouted in the same cell or container. Avoid exposing seedlings to temperatures below for more than a few hours and above 100 F. The best temperature for optimum growth is between 70 and 80 F. The exact time will depend on how warm the room is and how hot the light. Water your plants when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. A soilless-grown crop will benefit from fertilizer diluted by one-quarter once per week. Seed starter mixes are formulated with all the nutrients your new plants should need until they are planted outside. Feeding your new kids too early can burn roots and tender foliage. One of the basic seedling care tips is that you don’t need supplemental food until the cotyledon has completely emerged and several sets of true leaves are present. Too much water can cause tiny roots to rot while too little will see your new babies shrinking and even dying. Keep plants in a sunny location during the day but move them at night to prevent cold drafts from stunting their growth. Use a sterilized soil or soilless mix and wash containers carefully to prevent contaminating the seeds and plants. It can stem from contaminated containers or soil and is worsened by incorrect watering practices. Just because the seeds managed to sprout doesn’t mean the plants are out of danger.ĭamping off is a fungal disease that causes the tiny plants to wither and die. Damping off is a real threat when caring for seedlings after germination. Those little green shoots poking through the soil send our hearts soaring with thoughts of fresh produce and the joy it brings to our summer entertaining. Even the most experienced gardener can benefit from some seedling care tips to boost their success. Caring for seedlings after germination isn’t hard, but attention to such things as damping off, nutrition, temperature, water, light and transplanting will guarantee stout seedlings that survive the rigors of outdoor living. Growing plants from seeds is a rewarding endeavor that reaps big rewards. A few tips on how to take care of seedlings should help ensure you bumper crops your neighbors will envy. Healthy, robust plants produce faster with higher yields, which is a winning situation for the gardener. Care for seedlings once sprouted amounts to more than just giving them water. Those tiny little sprouts have shown up and need the best care before their planting out into the world. It’s that time of year when self-starting gardeners have sown their seeds indoors and are contemplating the next steps.
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