Can I transplant tiny seedlings?

15 years ago

I posted a few weeks ago about my failed first crop of germinating tomatoes from seed.

So 9 days ago, I started a new batch the way that people here recommended, and they look GREAT! I'm thrilled.

This time, I used MiracleGrow seed starting mix, put it in the old containers I had gotten flowers from at the nursery (those 6-packs), and planted 2 seeds per section. The weather was warmer and sunnier this time. They all sprouted, and look wonderful. They have strong stems and nice happy looking first leaves. The real tomato leaves are starting to peek through.

So, my question is, I now have 2 baby tomatoes per section, and common sense (and my husband) think I need to kill one of the extra plants per cell, to give the other a chance to grow. This makes perfect sense, but my question is, is there a way to gently extract the baby seedling, and replant it in a fresh container so that I don't have to kill it? How would I do that successfully?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

anney
15 years ago
BB

Sure, you can separate the seedlings if the roots aren't too tangled. A lot of people just water the soil well and gently pull the very wet rootball apart. Others recommend dunking the rootball in water to wash away the planting soil and gently pulling apart the seedlings while the roots are underwater. [Like, it's easier to comb tangled hair under the shower than wet hair out of the shower!]

Then you replant them in separate containers. They may sag for a day or two until they've recovered, but it's done successfully quite often.
jeremyjs
15 years ago
I'd imagine it wouldn't be much different from separating seedlings started in a flat. Just remove the soil and seedlings from their growing container and gently separate the roots and repot. Tomatoes are amazingly resilient little plants and the damage done to the roots while separating the small plants shouldn't set them back much. I would however wait until they have a couple sets of true leaves.
Related Discussions
when should I transplant gaillardia seedlings outdoors?
Q
Comments (2)
Is your stretch of hot weather due to be over soon? If so, I'd wait until your temps have cooled back into the normal range to reduce stress and plant in the garden.
...See More
can some seedlings be too large to transplant?
Q
Comments (11)
I once heard that if the cucurbit starts flowering in the starting container, then you may as well start again. They grow so fast anyway. I had 4 squash started early this year, but with the long wait for spring, all 4 started flowering in the cold frame. For the heck of it, I planted them in the yard to see how they would fair. They're still alive and flowering (still only male flowers, of course), but I'm not sure that they'll get much bigger. By that, I also mean they probably won't get big enough to create and support fruit. So it's a fun experiment but I won't be depending on them to produce. I direct seeded squash into my allotment last week and they're already up and looking as pleased as Punch. I won't bother to start them inside again next year... -Noel
...See More
transplanting wood poppy seedlings
Q
Comments (4)
Do you have the native Wood or Celandine Poppy, Stylophorum diphyllum? If so, check to see if they are developing seed pods.(A very hairy, oval pod that hangs down under the leaves). Seed is the best way to establish a new colony. Wait until the pods begin to turn a tan color and start to split open, then remove the pods and place in a paper bag. Wait for about a week and shake the bag vigorously. The seed should become dislodged and ready for planting immediately. Don't delay planting them, as they lose viability very rapidly. I dig and move some to pots almost anytime. Take as much soil as you can with the roots, to avoid loss of turgidity. If they wilt a bit after transplanting, they will usually recover within a few days.
...See More
Red Oak transplant - tiny, tiny leaves
Q
Comments (1)
Exactly. It is pretty hard on a big tree to be dug up and transplanted.
...See More
digdirt2
15 years ago
Sure it is done all the time. Here is a video on how to prick seedlings. (It is called "pricking". ;)

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: How to prick seedlings
wordwiz
15 years ago
I group sow all my tomato, pepper, basil and flower seeds. Fifty-100 seeds in a tray. Once they get a couple of sets of leaves, I transplant them to 3" containers. Water the soil the night before to make it easier to remove the plants I want to move, then water the trays after removing them to help the roots resettle.

Mike
carolyn137
15 years ago
Here is a video on how to prick seedlings

*****

Dave, I don't know one of my tomato friends who casually or formally says, well, I pricked my seedlings today. LOL

That'a a term used in England and the isles and used there by everyone along with the word cordon for an indet variety and truss, which many here in the states now use as well.

Actually I don't have a name I give to the process where I take out the seedlings at the 1-2 true leaf stage to transplant to cells.

The only name I give it is when it takes me forever to do the transplanting and then I call it hard work b'c my shoulders start to hurt when I have hundreds to do. LOL

Carolyn
HoosierCheroKee
15 years ago
Blackbearie,

You have a perfect opportunity to move those tiny seedlings to individual starter cells this weekend.

Don't over-think the process. Don't fret. Just do it.

Since you posted your question this morning, I'm assuming the seedlings just have the cotelydons (helicopter heads) fully extended and maybe some true leaves just peeping out. Perfect timing for transplanting them to individual cells.

Fill up another starter tray with soilless starting mix.

Either dampen it first or bottom water it in after loading.

Get the mix thoroughly damp but not sopping wet. Kinda like what your did to start the seeds. Well, in fact, exactly like you did.

Now, in each cell that has multiple seedlings, select the leggiest or spindliest looking seedlings for moving and leave the stockiest, shortest ones behind in their original bed.

I've used toothpicks ... forget it ... I've used a slender knive point like on a fillet knife ... forget it ... I've used an assortment of other little devices ... forget it.

Wash your hands with a disinfectant soap. Make a hole in the damp starter mix in the new starter cells with a pencil. Make it deep.

Use your fingers and gently pick out the seedlings to be moved. Don't worry if you break the tap root so long as there is a bit left below soil level. Don't worry if you disturb the neighboring seedling a little ... just tuck them back in and firm them back up.

Okay ... one at a time, move them over to their new happy bed. Bury them right up to the cotelydon leaves.

Take a empty spray bottle. Get some willow leaves along with the tender shoots of the willow branches. Bruise them cruely. Let them sit in a bowl of cool water for a few hours. Fill the spray bottle up with the willow tea. Spray the starter tray with the willow tea to set in the newly transplanted seedlings.

Done.

Bill
digdirt2
15 years ago
LOL - Just for you Carolyn so you can say you've heard it - yesterday wife and I pricked some 100+ seedlings from the bulk seeded flats. More pricking to do today. :^)

NAR, Giant Pink Oxheart, Brandy Boy, Arkansas Traveler, and a few from the Brandywine flat. Cotyledons only, no true leaves.

Dave