Topic: Pricking out...?

[Mrs Ava]

Has this been asked....?  If yes, sorry for the repeat, I loose track!

At what stage should you/do you  prick seedlings out?  First seed leaves?  First true leaves??  I have a seed tray full of sprout seedlings, all first leaves.  Should I prick them out or wait another week?

Ta everso muchly

[Hyacinth]

Can be pricked out at 1st true leaves I believe, EJ...Me, I'm patient and wait for the 2nd :D

[tim]

As soon as you can handle them - holding by the leaves only, of course!!

[Curryandchips]

I tend to follow Alishka's preference and wait as long as possible, not being bold enough to do as Tim suggests and handle them with seed leaves.

[Trixiebelle]

What are 'first true leaves'???

[supersprout]

Seed leaves are the first ones that appear as a pair, usually with smooth edges. They are 'packaged' inside the seed. They start gathering sunlight and strength, so the plant can grow its 'proper' or true leaves, which look like the ones you'd expect (but smaller lol).

So the third and fourth leaves to appear are the true leaves. They are the ones you handle the plant with.

I try to prick out when the plant has two true leaves (one and a spare) in case I squish one  ;D

[Trixiebelle]

Thanks Sprouty  ;D X

[telboy]

Supersprout,
Are you sure you handle seedlings by 'true leaves' and not 'seed leaves'??

[tim]

Right or wrong, I go for the soonest - ie seed.

Later - Oh, do you mean that if you have the choice, which would you go for?

[grawrc]

I think as long as it's the leaves and not the stem you're on to a winner.