Seedlings sitting in a box or container in a tight group become cramped over time: in order for them to develop normally, they need to be planted out - pricked out.
What is important to consider?
The time has come
The appearance of two true leaves is a sure sign that the seedlings are ready for picking. This is usually done 20 days after sowing, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .
It is strongly recommended not to postpone the procedure: the overgrown roots will become intertwined with each other, and the root system of the plants may be seriously damaged during transplantation.
Separate container
The ideal volume of individual pots is 0.5 l. If there are no drainage holes in the bottom of the container, do not be lazy to make them.
Otherwise, moisture will stagnate in the soil, which will lead to root rot. If the pots have been used before, do not forget to disinfect them - wash with soda.
Transplantation according to all the rules
Step one. Water in advance The plant will be able to be transplanted without problems together with its native lump of earth only if the soil is moist. Therefore, the day before picking, water the seedlings and slightly loosen the soil.
Step two. Carefully remove When removing the seedling from the soil, hold it only by the cotyledon leaves (pulling by the real leaves, taking it by the stem is strictly prohibited!).
Gently pull the plant, trying not to damage the root system. To make it easier, help yourself with a teaspoon or a narrow spatula for planting indoor plants.
Step three. Transfer to a new location. Fill the container with special soil for seedlings and make a large depression in the center. Place the plant in it with a lump of soil: the soil should reach the cotyledon leaves. Tamp the soil a little and water it so that the soil is moist, but the tray remains dry.
Mandatory hardening
Picking is stressful for plants. Therefore, after transplanting, first place the pots with seedlings in a warm place - there they will "come to their senses". After two or three days, start hardening. Transfer the seedlings to a cooler place: a glazed balcony or a closed veranda.
Proper watering
After picking, seedlings should be watered only after 4-5 days. If the sprouts are overwatered, there is a high probability of root rot or damage by the fungal disease "black leg".
There is an opinion that the more soil in the container for seedlings, the more often it needs watering, but here it is the other way around. If the soil on top is dry but loose, then the shoots will develop correctly and grow strong and healthy.
Very small shoots need to be watered with great care, taking into account the thickness of the soil layer (at a thickness of 4-5 cm, it is better to pour water into a tray). Or you can use two pots of different sizes.
Plant the seedlings in a smaller pot, and fill the larger pot with expanded clay or river pebbles and cover it with a cotton cloth to prevent water stagnation.
Place the smaller pot inside the larger one and pour water into the space between them. If you have a tray, it is enough to water the plants once every 10 days.
Advice
Once every 10 days, the seedlings need to be fed, preferably with liquid fertilizers for vegetables. Have a successful picking!
Earlier we wrote about a simple fertilizer for indoor plants.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
