How to Transplant Seedlings

3 Materials
$10
1 Hour
Easy
Once you have grown your seedlings from seed, you can see how here, you need to prick them out and transplant them into larger pots. This is not too tricky but this tutorial will show you how to do it successfully and minimise any damage to your seedlings.
Fill some plant pots or seed trays with inserts with multi-purpose compost ready to transplant the seedlings into. This is to prevent the seedlings drying out.
Once your seedlings are large enough to cope with being transplanted you can prick them out. General advice says that seedlings should have a pair of leaves as well as the first seed leaves. Personally, I just look at them and decide that they need transplanting when they are getting too close to each other.
Use a small stick or tool to get underneath the first seedling and lever it out with minimal damage to the roots. The objective is to separate the seedlings with minimal root and leaf damage. When handling seedlings always hold the leaves. A seedling will recover from damaged leaves but it will not recover from a damaged stem.
Once you have removed a seedling keep as much compost with it as possible. This will help prevent damage to the roots and retain moisture.Once you have removed a seedling keep as much compost with it as possible. This will help prevent damage to the roots and retain moisture.
Once you have completed a whole tray, water them thoroughly and leave them somewhere protected. I usually leave them on my windowsill for a few days and then transfer them to my cold frame. You may be able to move yours outside but it depends on the plant and your climate. The transition should not be too big a shock (too large a change in temperature).Keep them watered until they are large enough to plant out and then fill your garden with gorgeous plants. You can also share them with your friends.
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Christine | Christines-crafts
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