When to transfer from seedling starter to pot

I apologize, I know there are threads on this, but Search didn't find them... and I'm new to the growing game.

I started my seeds 10-11 days ago, in a seed starter kit/tray. How do I know when they're ready to be transplanted into small pots? See pic.

Thanks.

They are ready.

Pretty much any time after they sprout, but once they get their first set of serrated leaves is a good time. If you let them go too long they will either suck up too much water or get top heavy and tip over. If they do tip over make a little brace out of wire or something.

Thanks. Will transplant in the next day or two.

I place them in a small pot as soon as they sprout.

astrohip said:

I apologize, I know there are threads on this, but Search didn't find them... and I'm new to the growing game. I started my seeds 10-11 days ago, in a seed starter kit/tray. How do I know when they're ready to be transplanted into small pots? See pic. Thanks.

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Since you said you were new to growing, my rule of thumb for transplants has always been wait until the leaves are as wide or wider than the outside of the old pot. When you take them out of the old pot, you should see exposed white, clean, healthy roots holding the potting soil in place.

I use root riot plugs in a plastic egg crate when starting seeds:



I keep the root plugs moist until I can see roots coming out of the sides of the plug, like this picture below:



The new pot should not be too large, I go from seedling in root riot plug > pint > quart > 1 gallon > 3 or 5 gallon fabric final pot. Each time you transplant, you are growing a larger, healthy root ball.

Also note the holes drilled into the sides of the pots, this allows maximum drainage and air to circulate around the roots. One of the reasons fabric pots work so well is because they allow water AND air to circulate thru the fabric, roots need oxygen to thrive. Finally, transplanting into gradually larger pots allows you to soak the pot each time you water, then allow the pot to dry before watering again. This also allows air to circulate thru the roots which helps the plant to maximize growth.


Have fun!

Driver733 said:

I go from seedling in root riot plug > pint > quart > 1 gallon > 3 or 5 gallon fabric final pot.

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Why not skip the pint, qt, gal transplants and go straight to the final pot?

id go from starter to 1 gallon pot, just bury them up to the first set of leaves, they will grow roots from the tall stems where you've had them to far away or not under a bright enough light.

doughper said:

Why not skip the pint, qt, gal transplants and go straight to the final pot?

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Because then you can't water correctly. Can you do it? Yes. It is ideal? Not in my experience.

The pot needs to dry out in 4-5 days, if the pot is too large the plant can't use all the water. The roots need oxygen, they need to dry out for optimum growth, and if the pot is too large that doesn't happen.

I also like to see the health of the roots when I transplant each time.

Yup, ty for that, u right. My wife said pretty much same as you did.
She said roots would have too much room, wouldn't be stable. TY.

Thanks, great info!

Are you growing in soil?

lusidghost said:

Are you growing in soil?

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I use a starter soil for the seeds. When I transfer today, I will put in a more regular soil.

Has anyone tried filling a pot halfway and then making a little mound in the center for the transplant? That way you can't really overwater the plant. Then once it establishes its roots, fill up the rest of the soil around it. It might work better with a small fabric pot instead of a mound. Fill the pot halfway, sit the fabric pot onto the soil, fill in once roots have established. I thought of this while seating a rockwool cube on top a slab. If I went back to coco or ever ran soil I would try it.