When is a seedling no longer a seedling?

Hi all,

I'm new here and while this is my 4th season growing a veggie garden, it's my first time starting from seed indoors. I have quite a few seedlings under some florecent lights that are doing really great and I am very excited! However, when reading lots of informative books and articles, I can't seem to understand what the definition of "seedling" really is. Is it different for each plant type? Does a seedling just turn into a mature plant, or is there another stage?

Thanks so much!
Jess

Hey, Jess!
Welcome to the garden! It's an interesting question you pose, and I'll throw my two cents at 'yah, based on my own experience, only.

According to my timeframe:
When I've started seeds and they pop out as wee babes, they're seedlings.
When they've got two true leaves and get potted up, they're seedlings.
When I shove them under the lights for 12-14 hrs/day, they're seedlings.
When they start to fatten up and get to be about 6-10" tall, they're seedlings.
When I put 'em outside to harden off, they're seedlings.
When I get my eBuckets and EBs ready to receive them, they're seedlings.
When I take orders from my friends and co-workers, I refer to them as seedlings.
When I plant them into the garden, or give them away for planting out into other gardens, and they still need "babying" they're still seedlings.

But, when they get to be about 12" tall, and I'm thoroughly confident they can face the wind, the rain, and the sun on their own, they are tomato PLANTS!

That's just my take on it.

Linda ^^_^^

This message was edited May 3, 2011 9:26 AM

Linda - that may be the best explanation I've heard and it makes a lot of sense! So I guess I can expect to keep referring to my babies as seedlings for a while longer, especially since I am sure I will be babying them quite a bit, even after they've been hardened and planted in the garden. :)
Jess

Thanks, Jess!

THUD! Look at all those tomato plants. Great work!

Mindy

Thanks, Mindy!

I grew a total of 208 tomatoes and 65 bell peppers from seeds, and didn't lose one to damping off. I was truly blessed.

Then I got overzealous with fertilizer and set up a situation where I almost lost all of the tomatoes. Fortunately, the expert DGers here helped me through it, and I only lost about 1/4 of the stock. Unfortunately, since I didn't know it wasn't some deadly disease, my original plan to sell the seedlings at our local farmers market didn't pan out. I have too much gardening integrity to offer diseased seedlings to anyone...

But, I have some VERY happy friends and co-workers who are growing bountiful crops right now!

Hi, Jess,

I call mine seedlings, until they are potted up, then I call them transplants. Once in the garden I call them a mature plant. When they are on my plate, I call them Food (giggle)

giggle!