A few weeks ago I posted about my toms having come up in a week's time. All has gone well with them and they have grown taller and now have their second set of leaves. This means that it is time for potting the plantlets on to the next sized pot. I am keen to get going with this as I want these plantlets to develop good root systems before it's time to get them planted in the greenhouse. I used to carefully pluck them out with a dibber, but now that I germinate the seeds in smallish cells, I simply plant the whole cell, roots, soil and all into the next sized pot. On the right you can see the germinating cells and on the left some of the new pots. I am trying something a bit different this year--I am planting some seedlings on into transparent yogurt containers. I put a tiny bit of vermiculite in the bottom of the yogurt pot, then a finger thickness of potting soil on top of that and finally lower the extracted cell seedling down into the pot and backfill with some potting soil until all of the seedling's stem had been covered and only the leaves are above the soil. On the left you can see the thin layer of potting soil which is the basis for this technique. On the right you can see a seedling that has been moved and backfilled. A close-up of the plantlets in their new home. Why do I do it this way? Why a transparent yogurt pot? Well, I plan to let the seedling continue to grow upwards, removing leaves and backfilling until the plantlet has reached the top of the pot. The transparent pot makes it possible for the sun to shine on the plant although it is very low in the pot. It will also be a bit warmer and more humid below the yogurt pot's rim. Here are some of the transplanted plantlets for myself and another woman just up from the lottie--Hetty. As you can see--not only is the window sill almost full, but I have a little shelf in front of that which is filling rapidly as well. I plan to move these on to the greenhouse in the lottie as soon as everything is larger. Toms were not the only things that got planted-on today--also Cauli's, Calabrese and Basil. This messy view is the other western window sill...also with a little extra place to put plants (a Moroccan chest). You can see the tacky little "fence" that I had to put up to disencourage Rosie. I really am quite angry with her now...she has eaten two broccoli seedlings and 14 lathyrus seedlings. No wonder that she's sleeps so contentedly in the sun--she's had her vitamins today. :-?
Oooh, that Roos! She is sooo naughty. I suppose providing some 'cat grass' doesn't deter her? It is easy to see how important this early preparation is to success later on. You sure do put a lot of thought into it. The clear yogurt containers make a lot of sense. I hope sometime I have a little spot to start seeds -- it looks like it would be a fulfilling endeavor.
Well, how is Roos supposed to know that she's not to eat your plantlets? Did you explain to her and made certain she could hear you? You probably got that look of "I hear you and I might come back to you on that at a later date."
DAISY-- Yes, that roos is indeed VERY naughty! I have indeed provided some : cat grass" in the past but had to stiop because she threw-up much more frequently and she chewed on more than just that. I wonder if she has developed a preference in taste/flavours. I can keep her out of the bedroom during the daytime, but at night I need to have the door open so that the air can circulate...and that's when she strikes these days. What a terrible animal. DROOPY--Your summation of the explanation was spot on. It's one of the qualities she has that just gets right up my nose! Gurrrrrrr..... And then to just curl-up and go to sleep--the arrogance! That's not a REAL smile---more of a smile like a farmer with a toothache, as we say.
Do you plan on opening a farm stand with all those toms and vegetables :-D . Everything is coming along nicely. You could add a little voltage to your barrier, that would do the trick (only kidding). Rosie looks so innocent. Great idea with the clear yougert containers, I assume you put some drain holes in the bottom. Our yougert contains are not clear but I could use small plastic beverage glasses. I have transplanted some of my toms that were too close. I put a few right outside in the ground...if they don't survive its okay I have more than I can plant. Enjoyed your progress report.
hahahaha sjoerd! pete is a rosie in disguise!!! he likes the green stuff too! i open the greenhouse up every morning and he spends a lot of time in there. usually in the early afternoon he finds himself a mole, vole or plain old mouse to play with...then eat. in between that, he likes to nibble on my Moringa trees. they're little 4 inch babies right now, so they must be very sweet tasting. i've got his routine down now, so know when to catch him at it. i can't complain too much cause he does keep the greenhouse free from other plant eating pests... i like your clear yogurt container idea. as gail said, we don't have clear containers either, here, too. also neat how you move the entire plant and soil block, so to speak, into a larger one not disturbing the roots. my tom seedlings are still small. it's still cold in the greenhouse and it's holding them back a bit. that's ok with me cause March is going out like a lion! snow coming in tonight!
I found a smaller alternative to your yogert container. :-D A 3 ounce clear plastic cup...the kind that you use in the bathroom dispensers. The plastic is thin and easy to poke holes in the bottom. It is just the right size for thinning out my toms & zinnia seeds which are too close together. (I put multiple seeds in each container not realizing they would all germinate)
Thanks ROSIE-- I hope it keeps her out too. Grumble.... No farm stand for me, GAIL-- It's going in the freezer and jars for myself. Voltage barrier...hold on .....You may have something there. Yes, indeed I do have holes in the bottom. I water my toms from the bottom so the holes are actually for taking-up water rather than for draining. I do not plant my plants out until they are at least 12 inches tall--I do my toms a little differently than most folks. I shall be looking forward to your progress report as well, Gail. BUNKIE--Tch!~What are we going to do with those cats! hahaha. At least yours keeps the pest population down. That clear yogurt cup thing was just a "bright" idea of mine and I have never tried it before. Only time will tell if it really IS a bright idea or a plan conceived by a DIM wit. cackle. The moving the plantlets soil ball and all was another thing that I thought might be a good idea. I used to prik the seedlings out with a dibber and transplant them, but you see--I know that every time you disturb roots with transplanting the plants have a set-back and often do nto progress for ten days to two weeks, so my reasoning ws that if I shift the whole kit and kaboodle then the root disturbance would be kept at a minimum. Oh dear--more snow heading your way. You haven't had much this year, but now is not the time for that white stuff, is it? Ok then, good luck with your toms and I shall try and think-away the snow there.
Hee hee hee Gail-- you are a better gardner than you give yourself credit for, aren't you? There is no doubt now that your thumbs are well and truly green. Those little cups sound just the thing for you. Why don't you take some pics to post of your endevours? I for one, would be interested to see.
me too gail! me too! hey sjoerd, they are doing a similar thing with soil blocks now. they make a small one, like 2 inches, that will fit into a bigger one, like 4 inches. very very very very very expensive tho! but they do last. i've had one for close to ten years now, and it's just dirty from use. no wear and tear!
That's amazing to hear, Bunkie. Isn't it a shame that things have to be so expensive sometimes though. I would also like to see a pic if you have the time and inclination to take a couple of snaps.
Because you asked so nicely here are my overcrowded seedlings. (remember I am a rookie, with a green thumb) ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden ) Behind the tomato seeds are impatiens, then some african daisys in the middle and zinnias on the right. Here is a photo of my 3 oz cups after thinning the toms. I hope they survive, not much of a root system yet. But I will be away for a week and did not want to wait until I got back. I moved them to the kitchen so my husband will not forget to keep them watered. ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )
Gail--now those are good looking. I think that you were right to transplant now instead of waiting a week. I sure hope that they will do well during your absence. The other things that you have there in the seeding tray look good as well...did you transplant the very leggy ones as well?
