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

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