Allotments 4 All

I think I messed up with my Lobelia.

I put the whole packet of seeds in one half size tray. Oops!

It says to prick them out once they are big enough but I'm not sure when this is. Some have turned yellow and died but I think this is because I put way too many seeds in a small area.

Since then a few of the others have grown bigger leaves but they are still tiny.

these are one of the plants I can't grow as they're sooo small..get them transplanted when you can , I'd personally do the biggest ones and leave the rest  :)

if they're too close together to pick out individually, pot on a few seedlings together in little clumps. Lobelia is a pain, so small and quite slow growing

I buy trays from the shops and divide them up several times

Quote from: manicscousers on March 24, 2008, 17:01:23
these are one of the plants I can't grow as they're sooo small..get them transplanted when you can , I'd personally do the biggest ones and leave the rest  :)

I don't feel so daft now. My first year with a proper garden and I pick something fiddly. Typical! :)

Yes Pookledo, lobelia is very fiddly, but you don't prick out the individual seedlings.  You prick them out in small clumps of seedlings.  Fiddly they may be, but they do survive the harsh treatment, and are well worth the effort.

valmarg

Yes to all the above. They are a pain in the arse to keep moist without drowning them with big drops of water.
They need constant attention early on but that is worth it for me because I can grow some fab varieties from seed that I would never see as a plug plant.
They are worth the effort in my opinion.

Gary.

What is it with lobelia, i can never grow it, it always germinates then goes yellow and dies, within days usually!!  if i buy the plug plants,  a fair few go mouldy and die after transplanting!  i usually buy it mature from the garden centre, foolproof!

keep it on the dry side then water it from the bottom..warm and moist is the worst thing for seedlings  :)

I have done lobelia from seed, it does say to prick out in clumps.

I water them with a spray bottle.  They dont seem to mind that. :)

I will be pricking them out today...if i can find space after 100's of petunias taken up the green house lol. ;D ;D ;D