Pricking out?

earlypea · December 30, 2009, 11:22:08

I came across Chriscrosses' comment in the kelsae onion thread a bit back and have been wondering ever since.....

Quote from: chriscross1966 on December 21, 2009, 17:02:00
Quote from: lottiedolly on December 21, 2009, 15:14:08
Thanks for that Chris, I might try growing onions from seed this year, i always thought it was too complicated which was why i always purchased onion sets

They almost grow themselves once you've got them going, especially if you use modules rather than pricking out (can't believe anyone does that anymore, they're equally fiddly and it's loads better for the plant not to be disturbed...) .... also given that our weather systems seem to be getting a bit more hectic and unpredictable sets will become harder and harder to get to crop properly due to the bolting issue...

chrisc

Is that universally true for all crops? If you use modules you don't need to prick out or just onions?

I haven't yet pricked out my brassicas nor toms, but I always wonder whether I should because the brassicas in particular look pretty wobbly before they're planted out (do OK though)....and toms, I thought it increased the root ball or is potting on at a later stage enough?

The only thing I've pricked out to-date were my celery and it made me very nervous :-\ being so tiny and delicate.

earlypea · December 30, 2009, 11:22:08

Tee Gee · December 30, 2009, 12:01:36

QuoteIs that universally true for all crops? If you use modules you don't need to prick out or just onions?

Personally I would say no, a lot depends upon the plant type and cell size.

Having said that using cell trays at sowing time greatly reduces 'root disturbance' thus reducing the 'check plants receive.

But what you have to be careful with is that the cells don't dry out as the are prone to do due to their small size.

QuoteI haven't yet pricked out my brassicas nor toms, but I always wonder whether I should because the brassicas in particular look pretty wobbly before they're planted out (do OK though)....and toms, I thought it increased the root ball or is potting on at a later stage enough?

The only thing I've pricked out to-date were my celery and it made me very nervous Undecided being so tiny and delicate.

lottiedolly · December 30, 2009, 12:01:51

i planted my leeks in modules so i did not need to prick out, i think it really worked out well

phlips66 · December 30, 2009, 13:30:28

the gardenersalmanac is agood site
thanks for that tee gee

chriscross1966 · December 30, 2009, 13:54:41

Tee Gee makes a good point about the drying out issue, it is more of a problem for cells than complete trays, the GH where I start stuff is good and level, plus I put a thick layer (1/2") of sand in the bottom of my propagators to distribute water evenly.... also I'm the kind of person that will check in the GH for a few minutes every morning once I've got stuff started so they don't really get to dry out....over watering is usually my problem :D. Generally you won't have a big problem with cells drying out in a day until March/April when the smaller ones (60/tray, 40/tray) can have issues, though you will see it in 24/trays if the plants have got a bit big (depends on the plant) it's usually a sign that they need to go out or be potted on..... I had a lot of problems with cell-sown beetroots doing it last year, though thankfully they were Boltardy and they shrugged it off....

chrisc

Squash64 · December 30, 2009, 13:59:34

TeeGee,

Interesting to see in one of your slide shows that you plant leggy seedlings quite deeply. When I plant my tomatoes outdoors I always try to put them in a deep as possible, knowing that roots will form from the stems. Would this be the case with most plants? I gave someone a few broad bean plants which were a bit leggy. After she had planted them out, I noticed that they were flopping all over the place. Would it have been better to plant them deeply, or don't roots grow from their stems?

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm curious.

chriscross1966 · December 30, 2009, 14:59:20

Tomatoes are really one of the worlds great growers of adventitious roots.... cucurbits do it too, not aware of any others where it makes enough of a difference though.... over to you Tee Gee :D

chrisc

Tee Gee · December 30, 2009, 17:22:41

I think Chrisc has covered it all.

It is sometimes inevitable that seedlings become drawn so if/when they do, I sink them deeper mainly for support.

If more roots grow from this action then this is a bonus.

ps Glad you like my website phlips66

earlypea · December 31, 2009, 09:47:23

Quote from: Tee Gee on December 30, 2009, 12:01:36
QuoteThe only thing I've pricked out to-date were my celery and it made me very nervous Undecided being so tiny and delicate.
Wow!! now I see why you chose your user name! I won't be starting those plants for at least another two or three months yet.
I hope these pictures help and the best of luck with your ongoing seedlings I still feel you a bit early :-\

Thanks for the comprehensive reply Tee Gee - it does add a few ideas, but also raises more questions....I'll have a think on them.

Don't worry - I haven't sown anything this season. I meant 'to-date' in my entire vegetable growing life. (Earlypea being something to do with insomnia)

chriscross1966 · December 31, 2009, 09:59:24

One other thought on the matter.... it's not always about the plants.... although I'm a fairly good pianist, I can be a bit clumsy sometimes...... and apart frmo the odd really fragile marigold I can't remember ever breaking a seed, the same isn't true of seedlings as they're being pricked out, generally they're a bit older/bigger/more robust when you pot on from a module....

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Pricking out?

earlypea

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Tee Gee

lottiedolly

phlips66

chriscross1966

Squash64

chriscross1966

Tee Gee

earlypea

chriscross1966