I planted seeds in 2 doz. of those 'Jiffy' peat pellets on 3/30. The green beans and cukes came up in less than a week and bean plant is 10 in tall, has roots as long as the tray they are in and is starting to get it's second set of leaves. Tomatoes and peppers are coming along slower. I have never done this before and have some questions:
1. Some peat pellets have not sprouted at all. Can I just put some more seeds in them & try again?
2. At what point do you transplant the seedlings into something larger? A small pot first?
3. In some pellets I started more than one seed and have 3 seedlings, can I separate them & put them into multiple pots, or do I need to choose which ones live and which ones get tossed?
Thanks for your help!
Lynda
When to transplant seedlings?
i'll give it a try but first we need some more information. do you have the pots under flourscent (sp) lights with grow bulbs??
do you keep the lights on long enough. usually 16 to 17 hours a day with the bulbs no more than an inch abouve the seedlings
1. waitt some more before doing anything. some seeds take a while to germinate
2. usually cukes and beans are sowed directy into the garden as the roots do not take well to handling. i transplant my seedlings into 4 inch containers after the second set of leaves appear. the first set of leaves are seed leaves i believe and the second are true leaves.
3. i wouldn't seperate them as you may damage the roots. simply keep the best looking one and cut the others off at soil level
hope this helps. i'm sure you will hear from others.
good luck
I've had tomato and pepper seedlings packed very close together and sucessfully separated them.
Now I have a question.
How soon can I put brussel sprouts outside? They've been up and under lights for three days now. Very healthy looking. I need the space and would like them outdoors ASAP. No need to plant them out, in domed trays is fine for a few weeks. We can have temps down to freezing. Should I bring them in at night?
I transplant seedlings after they have the first pair of true leaves developed.
Brussel sprouts can take it right down to 35 deg. However wait until you have true leaves (the first two you get are not leaves and will dry up and drop off when not needed)
I'm afraid you will not be to successful trying to transplant beans that are that large. I am preparing to plant beans today in my raised bed. This is just a sampling bed for an early taste. Have onions, head lettuce, broccoli, parsley and spinach planted. Will add a few beets and carrots. My main crops will go in after a couple of weeks. We are still down to freezing at nights. I'm in zone 4 in Iowa. (There is an advantage in being down to a family of two) Here's a shot.
I haven't washed off the glass yet. It is clear. The lettuce and spinach went in uncovered March 17.
This message was edited Apr 11, 2009 1:40 PM
I am not using lights or warming pads. For warmth I put them on the washer or dryer and I put them in windows to get sunlight, about 12 hours. We were having 80 degree days when I put seeds in pellets, so warm inside too. True, the bean pkg. said 7-14 days, so close to max time to germinate will wait to re-seed pellets. I saw just about every fruit/veggie in pots at Lowes and nursery last couple days, including watermelon, all squashes, etc. I thought "I should be selling these seedlings for $3-4each, like them. Their beans were shorter than mine with no second set of leaves and 2 starts per pot. Tomatoes and peppers are making a showing now, but much smaller and slower, again pkg said 10-21/25 days, so right in line timewise.
Last year was my first year and I direct seeded everything outside, but late - not till June 1st. We started having some 100 degree days already in May and it was really hard in our sandy soil to keep them moist. We still have nights in the mid to hi 40's, but days are 60-80. I am doing containers this year for 2 reasons. First because we may be moving (DH did not want me to plant or seed ANYTHING, even in pots) and second the gophers have made my vegetable garden look perforated, then the dogs jump over the fence to dig & try to get the gophers.
I learned the hard way last year (over & over) about planting stuff too close together. Just have a hard time doing plant abortions to thin them out!
jamlover - how lucky you guys are to be able to plant those cool crops. We have had 100 degrees at Halloween and have had snow nearby the week before THanksgiving. The snow is pretty unusual, but we do get below freezing some nights in winter. Was able to plant AND reap beets in fall/winter and they were much sweeter than summer beets. Those pesky gopher enjoyed the broccoli just as it was about 4 In high and also the baby cabbages. It took them a long time to attack the sugar peas, so I was able to snack on those when walking between house & garage.
Well, I will give the beans a try anyway, I see this am they are working on a 3rd set of leaves and all cukes and melons are getting second set. Do you every pinch the top off the beans to get them bushier?