how big before transplanting?

If I use the paper towel/coffee filter method, how big should the seeds get before I transplant to soil? root only, just sprouted, 1 inch sprout? etc.

2ndchance.... You need to transplant them as soon as the you see the root coming out. Your radicle needs to start getting some nutrients right away. Usually the see dcoat only contains enough food for 7 to ten days at the most.

Thx. I think I'm damaging the root, because nothing happens after I transplant them.

When you go to transplant them, very gently pic them up and lay them on top of the soil, I then try to very gently just tuck the edge of the root into the soil, some time I make just a tiby hole barely a quarter of an inch and put the whole seed there and then barely cover it with some soil.

Some I just lay on the top of the soil and cover with about an eigth of an inch of soil. Just depends on the seed type and also if I see where the cotyledons are starting to come out.

Once ya have roots though, you definately don't want to be pressign hard on them into soil, the root will snap in a heart beat. Some times too when you switch them from like the filter too soil, it taks a few weeks for the roots and the seed to change gears so to speak. When doing seeds in a filter to dirt, they get a transplant shock too.

Once you transplant them too you want to keep the soil on the dry side, yoru seed has been in a mosit filter and has sucked up alot of water inside where the embryo is. Too much water in the soil now and it will root the seed and the root.

I use the skinny end of a toothpick to make a tiny hole in dry medium. Then gently slide the root into the hole and gently tap the pot so the medium falls around the little root. Then I mist the surface. Hope this helps.

I third the hole idea. That's what I do and I don't wait long from the day they sprout. Small hole, just put the sprout in vertically and push a little soil up against it. Over watering can be a problem if you haven't gotten that far already. Keep that in mind.

What is this coffee filter method? I've never heard of it...

paper towel & coffee filter methods: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/699710/