I will pass on the compliment to my friend Paul. He lives and works at a heirloom seed farm.

Nothing I've seen in person but perhaps a yellow mimosa tree, Acacia dealbata? FataMorgana

Hi again Poko, Well, they don't look bad at all. Could be the yellowish tint isn't showing up well, but they look ok:) I sow all of my seeds into 3" and 4" pots(not singly, but broadcasting them...so I'm averaging about 20-40 plants a pot). Then when they get big enough to handle I prick them out into individual cells...most times not waiting for first true leaves. Last year the transplanting went ok, but the celosia didnt enjoy the cool basement. This year they are 'growing up' upstairs in a warmer room. They are looking great. I have found you can transplant most anything when young enough(and roots are small enough and not tangled)....yes even those they say don't transplant well. Its when they are a bit bigger that difficulties arise...but by this time they are in their individual cells and will get very little disturbance from this time on. And after you explained the peat scenario, I understand it better. Yep, better to mix it in, or don't even add it if your mix is a commercially bought soilless mix. But, I am sure those roots have reached the soil already...they're way ahead of what you see aboveground:) That thinning out will help and holding back on fertilizer will too. When I do fertilize I use Neptunes Harvest fish and seaweed fertilizer(its organic and very mellow). I just add it to the water and it is easy on the seedlings. Don't worry...it looks like they will make it just fine:) m

It is completely natural for the Cotyledon leaves to die once the new leaves take over feeding the plant. The Cotyledons are there to feed the plant while it's developing it's first roots and leaves. When it's job is done it dies off because the plants don't need them anymore. Never buying transplants with yellowing cotyledon leaves is good advice because for transplants, most of the time a younger plant will do better for you than one who has spent too much time in the cell pack. Too much time in the cell pack results in root bound plants that will not grow well, or if you try to break up the bound roots, then you break the roots which stunts the development as well. (Although you are better off breaking up the root ball than leaving it bound up.) A young plant won't have these troubles and will size up quickly once planted in the ground. Hope that helps! Susan