seeds Plucking out seedlings

[Wildfire Chilli Australia]

Hi all

Just wondering what is a good size to pluck out chilli seedlings to pot on? Should I wait until they get their first set of true leaves?

I have done one lot of seeds in a tray in coco and dont want all the roots to grow together before I remove them but also don't want to pull them out too early and stress them. I planted 2 seeds in each hole but have decided to keep both when they germinate.

Also if they are in rockwool cubes and you have planted 2 seeds in one rockwool cube, is there an easy way to get one out without damaging any of the roots?

Any suggestions appreciated, thanks!

 

[Nova]

I would probably leave the ones in the rockwool, well in the rockwool.

As for the question as to pluck or not to pluck without true leaves i really don't know. I moved mine when they were just iddy biddy babies but i think i may have stunted them. I would probably leave them till you get some true leaves. jmo

 

[UnNatural]

what are your plans for the one in the rock wool? You can cut rip the rockwool into 2 without disturbing the roots.

 

[Wildfire Chilli Australia]

what are your plans for the one in the rock wool? You can cut rip the rockwool into 2 without disturbing the roots.

Well that particular one in the photo was actually for a client and I put two in there in case one didn't germinate. I did think about cutting it in half if it was for me but can't really give someone half a rockwool cube!
I could just pluck it out and throw it but feel bad killing any chilli plant. Or I coud give it to the client like that but then he will ask me what to do with it anyway... so what to do???

The ones for me though I think I will cut in half before the roots grow too much.

 

[Wildfire Chilli Australia]

I'm still not sure bout the ones in coco. When I worked at a nursery (not chilli plants) some plants we would pluck when really young but others we had to wait till the roots were more developed.

 

[Blister]

This is my first year growing, so take this for what it's worth. I usually pull my plants out of the growing medium when they are just sprouting their first true leaves. I like to do it this way so I don't tear any of the roots, or if I do tear some roots it's kept to a minimum. I then just poke a hole in the soil with a pencil and drop the seedling in. It's much easier to do if you don't have a bunch of roots growing everywhere.

The Sea Soil company recommends that you transplant the seedlings from the germination tray as soon as they are large enough to handle. Although 'large enough to handle' is kinda ambiguous

Fill seed tray with Millenniumsoils Coir, level off, pack lightly, water well and allow to drain. Sow seeds as required. Water sparingly, cover with black plastic, or glass to retain moisture and keep out light. Maintain correct temperature of 18 - 21C (64 - 70F). Once seeds germinate, remove the cover and place tray away from direct sunlight. When seedlings are large enough to handle, gently fork them out.

 

[Wildfire Chilli Australia]

This is my first year growing, so take this for what it's worth. I usually pull my plants out of the growing medium when they are just sprouting their first true leaves. I like to do it this way so I don't tear any of the roots, or if I do tear some roots it's kept to a minimum. I then just poke a hole in the soil with a pencil and drop the seedling in. It's much easier to do if you don't have a bunch of roots growing everywhere.

The Sea Soil company recommends that you transplant the seedlings from the germination tray as soon as they are large enough to handle. Although 'large enough to handle' is kinda ambiguous

Yeah that sounds good, I might just have to give it a go and see.
Maybe with the cubes I should pick away at the rockwool from the top until the roots are exposed and then it would be easier to remove?

 

[Blister]

I've never used rockwool before so I'm not sure how easy it is to separate. I usually use the little jiffy pellets and a heat mat. They tend to split in half with the tap root going down the middle. Is rockwool all intertwined or is it kinda like insulation that's been layered?

 

[LGHT]

I've never used rockwool before so I'm not sure how easy it is to separate. I usually use the little jiffy pellets and a heat mat. They tend to split in half with the tap root going down the middle. Is rockwool all intertwined or is it kinda like insulation that's been layered?

That's exactly what I did. It was really easy with the peat pucks. I just let them dry out a little and crack them without damaging any of the roots. I had 2-3 sprouts per peat puck and didn't have a problem with any of mine.