I take em off.

Gently but I don't sweat it if some tear.

They're tuff little guys now :-)

Same question just a couple of posts down the page with several answers already. ;)

I would strip off the netting but do it wet, not dry so that any damage done is minimal.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Peat pellets?

Ok, those are adorable little fellas!

I'm chomping at the bit, and may lose my tiny corn seedlings I started from see on the 10th, due to the freaking weather dropping back to 40 degrees at night again!

I *swear* I don't remember the nights being this cold at the end of February last year!

My seedling were growing out of the peat pots after a 7-10 days or so. I repotted them in 3 inch jiffy pots (without ripping the netting) and they're doing fine. On a side note, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with tomato seedlings turning purple under the leaves! I was worried about this but from what I've read it's caused by cool growing temperatures which inhibits phosphorous uptake causing a deficiency.

kandm, how long will you keep them in the 3 inch pots? until transplant? how big/ old can a seedling get in a 3 inch jiffy pot before requiring something bigger?

kandm - next time you transplant them you may want to at least tear the netting. Many have reported on plants getting root bound in them.

Personally, back when I used them, I pulled up poor performing plants at the end of the season and found the netting still intact and many of the feeder roots trapped inside.

Just something to consider. ;)

Dave

PS: you might also want to read some of the discussions on the problems with peat pot use.

I read about tearing the netting, but by the time I needed to transplant them the roots had already grown through it. I had the same reservations about disturbing the roots as bdobs so I just let it go. If I use the peat pots next year I will definitely try ripping them to see how they grow.

I, personally, can't bring myself to tear the netting off when the roots have grown through it. Those tiny little shrieks of pain make me feel AWFUL.

:0)

[My seedling were growing out of the peat pots after a 7-10 days or so. I repotted them in 3 inch jiffy pots (without ripping the netting) and they're doing fine. On a side note, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with tomato seedlings turning purple under the leaves! I was worried about this but from what I've read it's caused by cool growing temperatures which inhibits phosphorous uptake causing a deficiency.]

kandm, you're lights are a little close and the result is a tinge of red/purple under the cotyledons. This is not a big deal and not to worry about. I have a scissor on my Swiss Army knife and it works great for cutting some of the webbing. I've never been convinced the webbing disintegrates so I cut the lower half off.

I generally keep a watchful eye for signs of roots shooting out of the net and remove the net before the roots start to shoot out..but the growth of these boogers are so quick, sometimes a couple get through..
I do hate the feeling of that lil snap snap, but the plants (as mentioned before) are tough and always seem to pull through.

Happy Gardening

Damn near killed me, but I transplanted today and went ahead and removed the netting. Some roots sliped through the netting, alot more ripped...ugggg
Its been about 4 hours since the move and none seem any worse for wear.
I put them in cheap 10oz cups and I drilled 4 holes in the bottom of them
{{gwi:225995}}

They look great!

I'm jealous. Can't wait to find the right place so I can build a more conventional growing site and maybe a small greenhouse. I'm thinkin about a tunnel/hoophouse this yr but its still early ... bout 2 weeks till sowing time.

Congrats on a job well done..they look happy...now get ready to Really watch them grow!

Happy Gardening

Your not kidding Atacosa tx, check out these pics compared to three days ago. Man this is fun!!!
Regarding the root damage due to removing the netting....fo-get-about-it, there are already visible roots wrapping around the inside of the cup lining.

Pics taken three days after my last pics above
{{gwi:225996}}

Brian

You could always cut slits in the parts of the netting that don't have roots coming through. Use a sharp knife, small scissors, or box cutter. That way you won't have to cut into any roots, and the slits will give the roots outlets to continue to grow outward.
Kim

WOW, bdobs!! Great seedlings! I did everything wrong with my first batch, so they don't look nearly that great. I planted them on 2/9, but they do have their first set of true leaves starting, so we'll see what happens. I am starting a new batch today, with the peat pellets, and I am hoping they will do as well as yours look here. Nicely done! : )

When you went up to 10oz cups, what medium did you use?

Thanks ragtimegal
I sowed my seeds in Feb 10th
I used Jiffy seed starting mix.

great lookings seedlings :-D
how big do you think they can get in those cups until they have to be re-potted or planted?

ive never cut mine and havent had problems. Well with tomatoes atleast. Certain types dont do as well in the peat pucks.

bdobs,
Have you fertilized your seedlings?

Andyo
I plan on keeping them in those cups till I plsnt out in early April....at least thats the plan :)

Duckhunter
No fertilizer. Maybe in a week or so. Judging by the packaging of the Jiffy seed starting mix, there are no added ferts to the mix. I will watch to see if the growth lags at all