Potting up: when and into what

12 years ago

I have some two week old seedlings that are kicking butt right now, and was wondering the best time to pot up, and what medium to move them to. They are currently in seed starter mix (coco fiber), and many of them have 1-2" long true leaves already (one has actually begun its 2nd set of true leaves, which blows my mind a little bit for only 2 weeks). They're in perforated 6 oz styrofoam cups currently (1 each), so they have a little room to grow. Most of the commercial potting mixes seem to be high nitrogen (12-6-6 or 10-5-5)...which when it comes to tomatoes doesn't seem right, but then I wondered if early on the nitrogen would suit them well until they get big enough to make fruits. I'm really tempted to just make my own mix of perlite, peat moss, and the 10-5-5 potting soil...but before I go down that path, I thought I'd get some ideas.

What are some of your opinions on when to pot up, and what medium you use? Or do I even need to pot up (hoping to transplant in 3 weeks or so), considering the 6 oz cup is bigger than most cells I'd buy at the local Lowes or Home Depot.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

digdirt2
12 years ago
You can pot-up at any time. I often do them at the cotyledon stage, others wait for the first set of true leaves to develop. Into what - any of the good soil-less growing mixes available. Some contain a small amount of fertilizer, some don't. Some swear by Miracle Grow Potting Mix, some hate it.

A popular one mentioned here often is ProMix BX, Sta-Green is another, Fos Farms is another brand. It all depends on what is available to you locally.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: brands of soilless potting mixes
Brett-CpG
Original Author
12 years ago
Hmm...I suppose I need clarification. Is there a real difference between my seed starting mix and the different potting up mixes? I mean, one is coco-fiber (seed starter) but then you refer to "soil-less growing mix." Is that not the same as my seed starting mix?
Related Discussions
Advice needed on when to pot up onion seedlings
Q
Comments (13)
I don't use that stuff. I make my own because it's much more cost effective. If you need to buy soil mix, find one that's not heavy on wood debris and consider adding sifted compost. Onions like nutrient rich soil to grow strong till transplanting. If I only need to germinate and plan on potting up (tomatoes, peppers) I use less compost or used soil. I never found a need for 'soil-less mix'. I think it's unnecessary. If you did use starter mix, you will need to feed heavily or pot up. As you said, that stuff doesn't have any nutrients. As far as pot size, with good soil you can cram quite a lot of onions into a small container as you can see in my photo, 1/4" apart is fine. Next time, consider starting in good soil and avoiding a step. Don't let this (or me) discourage you, I'm sure they will do great! Here's how I grow mine: This post was edited by madroneb on Sun, Feb 3, 13 at 1:40
...See More
How am I doing? *pics* and When to pot up?
Q
Comments (4)
I used lots of 2-inch pots, but they were also about 2.5 inches deep. More sprouted than not. So probably depth is important. I had to drain flooded trays during and after rain pretty often and had soggy pots, too. Many of the bigger ones (milk jugs and juice cartons) I didn't put in trays, just on the bare ground. That meant I had to water those more frequently, and what I started doing for the sprouted ones just before planting time was rotate them into and out of trays to water them. It's my first year, too, and I banked an entire relandscape/partial lawn removal on it. Nearly 400 containers, many were the 6-pack 2-inch, some were 2-inch peat pots (not plugs), and many more were empty milk and juice cartons and milk cartons. The past few weeks I removed the sod, dug and amended the new beds (clay/rock here), and planted just about everything. Just finished culling the ones I've given up on and still have dozens of containers hoping for a spot in my garden. They're all about the same size as what's in your containers, some a little smaller, but with true leaves.
...See More
when to pot up cuttings
Q
Comments (18)
I was so concerned about the cuttings rotting and turning to mush that I am potting them up as soon as the white nubbies look swollen enough, and not waiting until they have actual roots. Is this okay? I just don't want to have another one turn to mush. I still have some in water as they either haven't developed nubbies or the nubbies aren't big enough yet. I am changing the water daily and keeping an eye on them. One cutting is fairly green and although it looks nice and healthy, it isn't even developing any white nubs. Would you pot this up in soil right away or wait to see nubs? Is it okay that even though the potted ones don't have actual roots right now, I shouldn't water too much and should keep them fairly dry? I potted the first ones on Saturday and haven't watered them since. I did give them a good soak when I first potted them and haven't let them stand with water in the container underneath the pots, so they are well drained. I am not a new gardener, just new to brugs and I feel like a nervous new mother. :) I hope one day to have enough cuttings that I will be making up a bubbler too. It sure seems like a better way to hold over cuttings especially if you don't have much room inside to have them all potted up. Thanks again for your help so far, Lois
...See More
When should I pot up seedlings?
Q
Comments (0)
presuming you have them in a flat .... do it before they get their roots all tangled up .... 2 leaf /.... 4 leaf.. do it when you have time... in fact .. do some now... and do some in a few weeks... and report back to us if it makes a difference .... i teased them out with a kids nickel paint brush.. the plastic stick end opposite the brush .... banged them on the side of a bucket to remove the old soil ... and potted up to 6 oz solo cups .. the size the dentist used to give you .. way back when ... the shaking... said to stimulate growth hormone release.. and the fresh soil removes any salt buildup ... i would not use a soiless mix that had fert in it .. i would add 1/4 tspn of soluable fert to a gallon milk jug of water EVERY time i filled it .... get about 4 gals going.. use tepid water for watering.. no need to shock the little suckers .. bottom line.. feeling i havent said this often enough .. THEY ARE HOSTA .... experiment .. they are very forgiving, even at this age ... if it dies... it was a genetic weakling... and its death going to save you a lot of time and worry .. so be it .... NEVER blame yourself.... lol try the search fnction .. because i have a funny feeling i have typed this a dozen or more times over the last few years.. try the FAQ"S also ... but dont ever let that statement stop you from posting... i like new posts... but maybe i did a better job answering it prior ... and everyone elses answer ... is what worked for them .. and no better or worse than mine ... experimenting will lead to YOUR system ..... go for it.. and ... good luck ken Contributed by Ken_Adrian
...See More
digdirt2
12 years ago
No very different components. The soil-less potting mixes are made with peat, vermiculite, perlite, a low-dose nutrient charge of some type, and a wetting agent. Many also add bark fines to improve drainage and some include worm castings for further nutrients. Some also add beneficial bacteria to stimulate root development. All depends on the brand.

Coco coir is just that - shredded coconut fibers. No nutrient value and poorly draining. Ok for germination but provide nothing for growing on.

Dave
Brett-CpG
Original Author
12 years ago
Looks like tomorrow or Thursday holds a trip to the hardware store then. I appreciate the input.
John A
12 years ago
Brett - If they are already in 6" styrofoam cups, leave them alone until you're ready to put them in the garden.
John A
bigpinks
12 years ago
Yeah, what John A said. If the normal size drinking cup is full close to the top there is no reason to transplant. I have been using this method for several yrs with MG Seed starter with great results. Six to eight weeks after germination they are good to go...hardened off of course. I have 45 of them sitting on a chest of drawers under saran wrap as we type.
capoman
12 years ago
Unless you see roots growing out of the holes, leave them in the cups. They should be sufficient.
dickiefickle
12 years ago
Brett what is 10-5-5 potting soil ?
Ohiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio
12 years ago
Tomato seedlings do benefit from being transplanted (potted up) at least once before planting out. This stimulates roots, especially if you plant them more deeply (up to the first set of true leaves). If you don't want to buy larger pots, you can use 16 ounce cups like they sell at fast food places or even cut off half gallon milk/juice cartoons, with drainage of course. At the rate they are growing, they could be 18 inches tall in another three weeks. Generally you want the soil to be made of larger particles than seedling mix, so it drains very well. I prefer a mix that doesn't have fertilizer or moisture control in it. You want to let it dry out more between waterings and you want to be able to feed it with a balanced fertilizer at half strength or less.
capoman
12 years ago
Right on Ohiofem. Also, Brett, don't worry about higher nitrogen on younger plants. 3-1-2 is best for vegetative growth, the time nitrogen is used the most. Once fruiting starts, reducing nitrogen input causes energy generated by existing leaves to support the fruit rather then more leaves.

Potting up: when and into what

Comments (10)

digdirt2

Brett-CpG
Original Author

Related Discussions

digdirt2

Brett-CpG
Original Author

John A

bigpinks

capoman

dickiefickle

Ohiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio

capoman

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Potting up: when and into what

Comments (10)

Brett-CpGOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Brett-CpGOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Brett-CpG
Original Author

Brett-CpG
Original Author