Transferring seedlings - Galway Independent

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Transferring seedlings

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 24 January 2007

When we left our seedlings last week, they had broken through the surface of their covering compost and we were watering them as needed, using a mist gun rather than a watering can. For this and any further watering, your seedlings will prefer room temperature rainwater to the easily accessible, ice-cold mains water.

Like a doting parent, keep a watchful eye on the seedlings for the time when the first set of true leaves appear. These all-important true leaves are usually the first set of leaves that emerge after the original germination leaves. The seedlings are ready for transferring to their final pots before planting out once you see these true leaves. Many posh gardeners transfer developing seedlings into their own individual cells in a 24-cell tray. These trays are available in all well stocked garden centres. However, if you wish to re-use and recycle some old plastic yoghurt pots for this purpose, I will be the first to thank you, followed quickly by Mother Nature. Just remember to pre-puncture a few drainage holes to prevent the seedlings swimming in mucky compost.

The transferring of the seedlings one by one into their own individual cells or pots is known in the trade as pricking out. Holding the seedling gently by its leaves, not the stem, loosen its root from the seed tray with a dibber or a pencil, which happens to be close by. The seedlings new home should be filled with potting or multipurpose compost. Make a hole with your dibber (pencil) to accommodate the seedling in this compost. You can quite safely set them a little deeper in the soil than they were before. New roots will possibly grow out of this sunken stem section under the surface, increasing the plants capacity for food and water uptake. Press the soil up sideways around the plant and press lightly with the dibber or pencil.

Finally, keep the freshly pricked out seedlings away from direct sunlight for a day or two and water when needed, whilst avoiding over watering to the extent that the soil surfaces is continually moist. To avoid confusion when you are growing a few different varieties, be sure to label the pots with a waterproof marker. I know from experience it is very difficult to tell the young seedlings apart.

Answer to last week's gardening brainteaser: According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest single-seeded fruit belongs to Lodoicea maldivica, the giant fan palm also known as double coconut or coco de mer. It is found wild only in the Seychelles of the Indian Ocean. The larger fruits from this palm can weigh an amazing 44lbs. Imagine getting a seed that size stuck between your teeth!

Here is this week's question: The oldest seeds thought to have produced flowers were 10,000 years old. Where were these found? Is it?

(a) Africa

(b) Canada

(c) Brazil

There are no prizes; this is just for fun and education. I will have the answer next week.

As well as his horticultural writing, James Kilkelly provides a garden and landscape design service based in County Galway. Contact him through his website www.gardenplansireland.com or alternatively by phone on 087-2067846. For free access to an incredible wealth of gardening information visit his gardening forum www.irishgardeners.com.

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