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#1
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Tibetan Poppy - pricking out advice
I have successfully germinated these seeds following the advice on the
seed packet (two weeks on in a warm light place, followed by two weeks in the refridgerator). The packet then says to remove seedlings "as they emerge" and pot on. I read that as "take the seedlings singly from the pot as you see them". I have about a dozen showing, no more than a couple of millimetres tall. Is there a reason for this very specific advice to remove as they emerge and would it do any harm to let them grow on together to a reasonable size before pricking out? The packet does indicate that they are difficult to germinate (but offers a promise that by following their specific instructions one would be successful - is it perhaps because they normally germinate at very different rates and the percentage of such germination is low?) I really don't want to loose them so any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks (East Yorkshire) |
#2
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On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 08:09:48 +0100, Popeye
wrote: I have successfully germinated these seeds following the advice on the seed packet (two weeks on in a warm light place, followed by two weeks in the refridgerator). The packet then says to remove seedlings "as they emerge" and pot on. I read that as "take the seedlings singly from the pot as you see them". I have about a dozen showing, no more than a couple of millimetres tall. Is there a reason for this very specific advice to remove as they emerge and would it do any harm to let them grow on together to a reasonable size before pricking out? The packet does indicate that they are difficult to germinate (but offers a promise that by following their specific instructions one would be successful - is it perhaps because they normally germinate at very different rates and the percentage of such germination is low?) The longer you leave them in the germination medium, the greater the risk of damping off. When you prick them out put them into very small pots or plug trays of ericaceous compost. As with all pricking out they are very delicate and must only be handled by the cotyledons (seed leaves) and only lighly firmed into the previously watered compost (soft water) They are well worth a bit of extra trouble. ================================================= Rod Weed my email address to reply. http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html |
#3
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Thanks Rod.
I had no idea they required acidic conditions. I'll be out at the weekend buying some plug trays and ericaceous compost! Rod wrote: On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 08:09:48 +0100, Popeye The longer you leave them in the germination medium, the greater the risk of damping off. When you prick them out put them into very small pots or plug trays of ericaceous compost. As with all pricking out they are very delicate and must only be handled by the cotyledons (seed leaves) and only lighly firmed into the previously watered compost (soft water) They are well worth a bit of extra trouble. ================================================= Rod Weed my email address to reply. http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html |
#4
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Popeye wrote:
I have successfully germinated these seeds following the advice on the seed packet (two weeks on in a warm light place, followed by two weeks in the refridgerator). The packet then says to remove seedlings "as they emerge" and pot on. They are a bit prone to damping off and resent any root disturbance. I read that as "take the seedlings singly from the pot as you see them". I have about a dozen showing, no more than a couple of millimetres tall. Is there a reason for this very specific advice to remove as they emerge and would it do any harm to let them grow on together to a reasonable size before pricking out? If you let them grow on their roots will tangle and almost guarantee that none of them survive being transplanted. The packet does indicate that they are difficult to germinate (but offers a promise that by following their specific instructions one would be successful - is it perhaps because they normally germinate at very different rates and the percentage of such germination is low?) Fresh seed usually comes up for me like mustard and cress. The difficulty is in transplanting them and keeping them alive. I really don't want to loose them so any advice would be much appreciated. Try and keep several plants growing well and don't let them flower in the first year. Plant them somewhere acidic, cool and damp if possible but try a few different places in your garden they are very choosy about where they will grow. If happy they will self seed if not they sulk. Regards, Martin Brown |
#5
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Thanks Martin
I guess I should prick them out as soon as I can handle them (by the first true leaves? - is it not possible to hold them, carefully by the first pair?). I've looked this morning and I have at least a dozen now, they're tiny but well spaced in the pot. I had intended to grow them on in a group in the garden, but having heard what you advise I'll try various sites. Thanks again. Martin Brown wrote: Popeye wrote: I have successfully germinated these seeds following the advice on the seed packet (two weeks on in a warm light place, followed by two weeks in the refridgerator). The packet then says to remove seedlings "as they emerge" and pot on. They are a bit prone to damping off and resent any root disturbance. I read that as "take the seedlings singly from the pot as you see them". I have about a dozen showing, no more than a couple of millimetres tall. Is there a reason for this very specific advice to remove as they emerge and would it do any harm to let them grow on together to a reasonable size before pricking out? If you let them grow on their roots will tangle and almost guarantee that none of them survive being transplanted. The packet does indicate that they are difficult to germinate (but offers a promise that by following their specific instructions one would be successful - is it perhaps because they normally germinate at very different rates and the percentage of such germination is low?) Fresh seed usually comes up for me like mustard and cress. The difficulty is in transplanting them and keeping them alive. I really don't want to loose them so any advice would be much appreciated. Try and keep several plants growing well and don't let them flower in the first year. Plant them somewhere acidic, cool and damp if possible but try a few different places in your garden they are very choosy about where they will grow. If happy they will self seed if not they sulk. Regards, Martin Brown |
#6
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On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 07:25:25 +0100, Popeye
wrote: Thanks Martin I guess I should prick them out as soon as I can handle them (by the first true leaves? - is it not possible to hold them, carefully by the first pair?). I've looked this morning and I have at least a dozen now, they're tiny but well spaced in the pot. I had intended to grow them on in a group in the garden, but having heard what you advise I'll try various sites. One of my replies seems to have gone awol so here goes again. I prick out most seedlings as soon as I can handle them by the cotyledons (never by the stems) rather than waiting for true leaves. Using the finger and thumb, go in below the cotyledons then lift and close the finger and thumb gathering the 2 cotyledons together, then get your knife blade or whatever you're using well under the seedlings, gently lift it up and wiggle it a bit until the compost falls away from the roots so you can tease out the seedling without feeling any roots snap. ================================================= Rod Weed my email address to reply. http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html |
#7
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Rod wrote:
Thanks Rod, that's helpful. My problem is that I sense that the seedlings are too small to handle and so I let them grow on, 'till they're too large to transplant without root damage! Illustrated by my buying the modules and ericacious this weekend but not having the heart to 'dig up' the seedlings! Everything I've read tells me to wait for the true leaves. By which time they have a fairly developed root system. Your advice gives me the confidance to lift them with the seed leaves and get them growing on. Thank you. On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 07:25:25 +0100, Popeye wrote: Thanks Martin I guess I should prick them out as soon as I can handle them (by the first true leaves? - is it not possible to hold them, carefully by the first pair?). I've looked this morning and I have at least a dozen now, they're tiny but well spaced in the pot. I had intended to grow them on in a group in the garden, but having heard what you advise I'll try various sites. One of my replies seems to have gone awol so here goes again. I prick out most seedlings as soon as I can handle them by the cotyledons (never by the stems) rather than waiting for true leaves. Using the finger and thumb, go in below the cotyledons then lift and close the finger and thumb gathering the 2 cotyledons together, then get your knife blade or whatever you're using well under the seedlings, gently lift it up and wiggle it a bit until the compost falls away from the roots so you can tease out the seedling without feeling any roots snap. ================================================= Rod Weed my email address to reply. http://website.lineone.net/~rodcraddock/index.html |
#8
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Popeye wrote:
Rod wrote: Thanks Rod, that's helpful. My problem is that I sense that the seedlings are too small to handle and so I let them grow on, 'till they're too large to transplant without root damage! Illustrated by my buying the modules and ericacious this weekend but not having the heart to 'dig up' the seedlings! Everything I've read tells me to wait for the true leaves. By which time they have a fairly developed root system. Your advice gives me the confidance to lift them with the seed leaves and get them growing on. Thank you. [...] I wonder if it would have helped to mix the seed thoroughly with sand before sowing: that way you don't get so many seedlings quite so close together. Or so the books say -- I've never done it. -- Mike. |
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