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19 July 2023
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How to plant out seedlings is probably one of the most common questions we get asked, and it’s something every budding grower will need to do sooner rather than later. But why? Well, planting out seedlings from a tray to a bigger pot is important to ensure the healthy growth and development of your plants. And the good news – it’s super easy to do.
So, you’ve planted your seeds in trays, they’ve germinated, and you’re feeling pretty proud of yourself. So, you’ve planted your seeds in trays, they’ve germinated, and you’re feeling pretty proud of yourself.
However, the seedlings will very quickly outgrow the planting tray. They’ll be become deprived of nutrients deprived and their roots will grow into a big knot. Therefore, transplanting them into bigger pots helps the roots grow faster and stronger and the plant grow
We’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of planting out seedlings from a tray to a bigger pot.
The ideal time for transplanting your seedlings is about 3 weeks after they sprout, or when you have 1-2 sets of true leaves.
Now, you’re probably wondering “what on earth does that mean?” When you’re learning to care for seedlings, you’ll often read instructions that say something like “after true leaves appear” or “after you see four sets of true leaves.”
So let us explain:
The “seed leaves” will be the first leaves you see. They’ll generally be smooth, and rounded or narrow. After they’ve appeared, you’ll then see the “true leaves” appearing. True leaves are a different shape to the seed leaves. They’re the same shape as the adult foliage, but just baby-sized. As the plant grows it will form larger leaves.
Once the true leaves appear, it’s time to start picking out overcrowded areas of your seed trays and plan those little beauties on.
Step 1: Prepare the bigger pot
Choose a pot that is big enough to accommodate the seedling with some extra space to grow – ideally a container twice the size of the one the seedling is currently in. You’ll also need some good quality potting mix. The pot should have drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain out. Fill the pot with fresh potting soil, leaving about 3cm of space from the rim.
Step 2: Water the seedlings
Water the seedlings in the tray thoroughly before transplanting them. This will ensure that the soil around the roots is moist and easy to work with.
Step 3: Loosen the soil
Carefully ease the seedlings out of the tray they were in, then gently tease any apart that have grown too close together. Loosen the soil around the roots but try to retain some of the original potting mix attached the roots if possible.
Work with small batches of seedlings so they don’t dry out while their roots are bare, and be careful not to damage the roots as they are delicate and can break easily.
Step 4: Make a hole in the potting soil
Using your fingers or a small trowel, make a hole in the potting soil in the bigger pot. The hole should be deep enough to accommodate the seedling and its roots.
Step 5: Transplant the seedling
Pop the seedlings roots right down into the hole to the same depth it was in the tray and gently pack the potting soil around its roots, firming it down. Pressing the soil down gently will eliminate any air pockets, giving it a better chance of doing well. If the seedling looks a bit tall and thin, cover part of the stem with soil as this will help the stalk grow stronger.
Step 6: Water the seedling
Once you’ve popped your seedlings into bigger pots you’ll need to give them a good watering to help their roots establish in their new home. This also ensures good contact between the roots and the potting soil. If the seeds get a bit flattened here don’t panic, they’ll bounce back very quickly. But just be careful not to overwater the plant as this can cause the roots to rot.
Step 7: Care for the newly transplanted seedling
Keep the newly transplanted seedling in a shady spot for a few days to help it adjust to its new environment. Avoid exposing the plant to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures during this time.
Once the plant has adjusted, move it to a lovely warm and sunny spots and continue to care for it by watering it regularly and feeding if required.
So there we go – we told you it was pretty easy. Planting out seedlings from a tray to a bigger pot is a simple process but ensures that your seedlings grow and thrive in their new environment.
The next stage will be to harden them – yep, that’s more gardening jargon – but fear not, all will be explained in the coming weeks.
Happy seed transplanting y’all.
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