Repotting seedlings 101

Use a butter knife, narrow trowel, or even just a long nail to prick the seedlings from their containers. If there is more than one seedling in your container, gently tease them apart for repotting. Place them in the new pot, lightly tamping the soil. Have a stack of labels ready to go and give each pot a fresh tag.

How big should seedlings be before transplanting?
When should I repot my seedlings?
What size should I repot my seedlings?
How do you successfully transplant seedlings?
How long can seedlings stay in trays?
How do you care for seedlings after germination?
How do you move seedlings to bigger pots?
Why are my seedlings falling over?
How often should I water seedlings?
When should I transplant seedlings to bigger pots?
How tall should cucumber seedlings be before transplanting?

How big should seedlings be before transplanting?

The general rule of thumb is that when a seedling has three to four true leaves, it's large enough to plant out in the garden (after it has been hardened off). When you plant a seed, the first leaves to emerge are the cotyledons. These leaves will look different from leaves that will grow later.

When should I repot my seedlings?

The ideal time for transplanting your seedlings is about 3 weeks after they sprout or when you have 1-2 sets of true leaves. It's better to get them in new containers before they start to show the signs of stress listed below.

What size should I repot my seedlings?

A smaller amount of soil dries out more quickly and allows more oxygen to reach the roots, which they need to survive. For these reasons, you want to size up just a few inches at a time. Most pots fit loosely into a system used in the horticulture industry that goes by 2s: 2 inches, 4 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches and up.

How do you successfully transplant seedlings?

Handle seedlings by their leaves to avoid damaging the tender stems. Poke a hole in the new container's planting mix, place the seedling in the hole, and firm soil around it. Water the transplant right away. Keep the containers out of direct sunlight for a few days to let the transplants recover from the move.

How long can seedlings stay in trays?

Seedlings otherwise can become root-bound if not given adequate space for the roots. Typically, after sowing the seeds, the cell trays are used for around 3-4 weeks before transplanting occurs - whether it be to an outdoor plot or into a larger container.

How do you care for seedlings after germination?

Use a sterilized soil or soilless mix and wash containers carefully to prevent contaminating the seeds and plants. Keep plants in a sunny location during the day but move them at night to prevent cold drafts from stunting their growth.

How do you move seedlings to bigger pots?

Why are my seedlings falling over?

Cause: If a batch of otherwise healthy seedlings fall over and wither seemingly overnight, they are likely victims of damping-off, a fungal disease that attacks stems at the soil surface and is usually deadly. Excess moisture or nutrients create conditions that promote damping-off.

How often should I water seedlings?

You want seedlings to be kept moist but not wet and never allowed to dry out completely. This most often translates to watering the soil for your seedlings at least once per day, if not more often. A spray bottle is a good way to water your seedlings and keep the soil moist without letting it get too wet.

When should I transplant seedlings to bigger pots?

Once the plant is finished using the nutrients from the cotyledon leaves, they will usually shed off. Now, when the first two true leaves have developed and plants are about 2 to 3 inches tall, you can transplant. It's important not to wait too long to transplant your seedlings into bigger pots.

How tall should cucumber seedlings be before transplanting?

If possible, water your cucumbers with a soaker hose or drip irrigation to keep the foliage dry. Mulch to hold in soil moisture. When seedlings emerge, begin to water frequently, and increase to a gallon per week after fruit forms. When seedlings reach 4 inches tall, thin plants so that they are at least 1½ feet apart.