Pricking Out Seedlings: An Essential Guide to Transplanting Tiny Seedlings
Once your seedlings have germinated and begun to grow, they’ll need more space to develop strong roots and healthy foliage. Pricking out and potting on are two essential techniques that help young plants thrive. In this guide, we’ll focus on pricking out seedlings—a careful process of transplanting tiny seedlings to give them the room they need to flourish.
Using our pricking out tool to prick out viola seedlings.
What Is Pricking Out?
Pricking out seedlings is the process of transplanting young seedlings from a cell tray or broadcast sowing tray into individual cells or pots. This step is for:
Preventing overcrowding
Encouraging robust root development
Allowing better access to nutrients and water
Special Considerations for Smaller Seeds
We typically sow most of our seeds in cell trays that allow seedlings to grow into plug plants. Once they fill the cells, they’re ready to be transplanted directly into the garden, which allows us to skip this step of pricking out entirely, but some seeds, like violas, snapdragons, and foxgloves, we prefer to broadcast sow into trays and prick out in to individual cells once they’ve germinated.
Tools to Simplify the Process
Investing in a good pricking-out tool can save you time and minimize damage to your seedlings’ fragile roots. A fine-pointed tool, such as the Sneeboer pricker, works excellently. However, a thin pencil, skewer, or even your finger can also be effective in a pinch.
When to Prick Out Your Seedlings
Pricking out should be done when your seedlings have developed their first set of "true leaves." These are the second pair of leaves that appear after the initial seed leaves (cotyledons) and will look like the mature leaves of the plant.
How to Prick Out And Pot On Seedlings
Transplanting Techniques
Loosen the Soil
Gently loosen the soil around the seedling without pulling it up by the stem. Hold the plant by one of its leaves to avoid damaging its delicate structure.
Lift the Seedling
Carefully insert your pricking tool or pencil under the seedling to lift it from the tray. Make sure to keep the entire root system intact during this process.
Handle with Care
Handle the seedling gently by its leaves, not its stem, to prevent damaging the roots and stem. Remember, healthy roots and stems are essential for absorbing water and nutrients, while leaves can be replaced if damaged.
Preparing the New Container
Create a Planting Hole
Using a dibber, pen, or your finger, make a small hole in fresh, high-quality compost in your new container.
Plant the Seedling
Place the seedling into the hole, ensuring that the roots go straight down instead of curling upward. For added support, you can plant most of the stem below the soil level.
Firm the Compost
Gently fill in around the seedling with compost and lightly press it down to secure the plant.
Watering and Aftercare
Water Carefully
To avoid disturbing the soil, water the newly transplanted seedling carefully. The best method is to place the tray in a shallow bath of water for about an hour or use a fine mist to moisten the soil.
Provide Optimal Conditions
Keep the seedlings in a well-lit area. Avoid exposing them to intense direct sunlight or drafty spots, as these conditions can stress the young plants.
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