Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Transplant Time


The tomato and pepper seedlings are doing really well. Most have their third set of leaves and need to be transplanted into some larger pots, so that's what I did. I bought some larger pots that can actually be planted right into the final big container later since they break down easily. They're supposed to be less stress on the plant from multiple transplantings, and it saves me the step of having to wash them out later, so I think it's a win-win.

The tomatoes had some pretty serious roots on them, so I think they'll be happy to be in their new homes. I put a bit of potting mix down in the new pots, then some crushed eggshells since tomatoes and peppers both like calcium, and then put the seedlings in. For the tomatoes, that meant burying them all the way up to the first set of leaves. I think it's pretty cool that they'll grow roots off the stem and be stronger.

I've also taken to pointing a fan at the seedlings for 15 minute increments a few times a week to help them toughen up. It will be a few more weeks before they go outside for day trips to start hardening off, but it can't hurt to get a jump-start, right?

How are your seedlings doing?

2 comments:

  1. I'm glad to hear you are using a fan for making your plants tough. It also helps with air circulation (obviously) and can reduce damping-off.

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  2. eggshells! great idea. i lost soooo many last year to blossom end rot due to lack of calcium. and my seedlings are doing ok...the ones that i haven't managed to kill anyway :)

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