How To Prick Out Seedlings
Prick Out Seedlings. Pricking out, also known as thinning out, means removing the seedlings from their original container and replanting into individual cells or pots to give them more growing room.
Step 2: When to prick out
Seedlings need to be pricked out when their leaves begin to touch their neighbour. As a general rule this is when they have sprouted their second set of leaves. This is called the true leaf stage, with the first set being the seed leaves. If they are left too long in an overcrowded tray the top growth will become lank and weak.
Step 3: Prepare the soil
Sieve the soil onto a flat surface to break up any lumps. Fill the tray or pots with soil, using your hands to work it into the individual cells. Then tap the tray to work the soil into the corners
Step 4: Separate the seedlings
Insert the dibber into the soil at the edge of the seedling tray. Lever it back to loosen the soil under the seedlings and gently tease them out. Carefully separate the seedlings by holding them by the leaves. Avoid handling by the stem or the roots as they are both easily damaged.
Select the strongest looking seedlings with the biggest root system. Discard the more spindly looking ones with the smaller root systems as they are less likely to survive
Step 5: Replant
With the dibber create a large hole deep and wide enough to hold the root system. Lower a seedling in and firm the soil around it
Step 6: Label
Use an indelible pen to put the plant variety on one side, and the date on the other. Place this at the edge of the tray
Step 7: Water
Turn the rose on the watering can upwards, this prevents disruption to the soils surface. Water heavily
Step 8: Leave to grow
Different seeds require different growing conditions. Check the seed packet. If your seedlings will eventually be planted outside, like these poppies, place them in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame, or outside in a north facing area that is protected from direct sunlight and heavy winds. This will gently acclimatise the seedlings to outside conditions. When they have sprouted 3 or 4 pairs of leaves they are ready to be replanted into display containers or transplanted into the ground. See VideoJug http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-transplant-seedlings-into-the-ground for the best way to do this.
