Instructions for growing some plants from seed suggest starting in quite
a small or crowded container and then "potting up".

Do some seedlings actually benefit from not having much growing medium
at an early stage? Or is "potting up" essentially a professional's trick
for saving space?

I have enough space to sow seeds direct into "final size" pots - but
should I?

Thanks!

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/

In article ,
says...
Instructions for growing some plants from seed suggest starting in quite
a small or crowded container and then "potting up".

Do some seedlings actually benefit from not having much growing medium
at an early stage? Or is "potting up" essentially a professional's trick
for saving space?

I have enough space to sow seeds direct into "final size" pots - but
should I?

Thanks!

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/

There are several things to take into account, first as you have said
space saving second you can avoid stagnant compost around roots by using
too small a container to start with, then there is cost as decent seed
compost is a bit dearer, against that of course you have damping off if
the seedlings are too crowded, and potential damage to seedlings on re
potting, for me the main reason lies in the seedlings which get thrown
away, you can select the best and strongest to prick out and discard the
also rans!
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea