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So You've got Seedlings... Now What?



In my last post I broke down how to have the best chance at seed germination, if you missed it you can read it here: Seed Starting in 5 Easy Steps  

If you were successful, you should see small green leaves emerging from the medium within 3 - 14 days.

If there aren't any sprouts after two weeks you can try and troubleshoot the issue, or discard and start over again. I have been growing from seed since 2016 and sometimes still have issues with seed germination.  

The first signs of life!

The first set of leaves (called Cotyledons) act as sensors for the seed, they determine if there is enough light to provide food for the roots. They will stretch out and up on a long stem searching for light over the first few hours after emerging. This is when it is vital to provide plenty of light - either a sunny window or artificial lighting.

The first "True Leaf" on the left, and the "Cotyledons" on the right - they look very different therefore it is easy to identify them. 

If there isn't enough light, the stems can become quite long - this is called 'getting leggy' and is something that cannot be fixed but it can be managed if noticed early. If the stem is too long and the seedling is floppy you may not have the right lighting conditions - supplement with artificial lighting if possible. Leggy seedlings are not a lost cause, but they will have a hard time putting out healthy growth until they get better conditions. 

Slightly leggy - they are leaning/reaching for the light.
Solution is to move the lights closer to the tray (3-4 inches above is ideal)

The most important thing to remember with seedlings is that they are very delicate, you should be careful with them while they get established. A gentle fan creating air flow will help mimic the outdoors and make stronger stems. You can transplant each seedling into individual cells as soon as the first true leaves appear. 

Avoid putting your seedlings in drafty areas, near vents, etc.
Avoid pouring water on them directly, soak the medium from the bottom if possible. 
Do NOT fertilize at this stage.
Don't let them sit in waterlogged medium, make sure they have proper drainage

Leggy tomato seedlings - floppy and unstable
Solution: Bury the stem up to half an inch below the leaves

The second set of leaves are considered the 'true leaves', these should look like the leaves of the adult plant. Once these leaves fill out the first set will yellow and fall off - that is totally normal, they have completed their job and the plant is now focusing energy into new growth. 

Once your seedling has 3 or 4 sets of 'true leaves' you should transplant them into something a little bit larger - there are many options for transplanting seedlings but most common are plastic Cell-Paks or Peat Pots.

Peppers with 4-5 sets of "True Leaves" freshly repotted in 4 inch pots

Continue providing ample light and consistent water until the plants are ready to be hardened off and placed in their final location in a container or in the ground. 

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