The importance of growing in trays?

I have to say, most instructions on seed packets have been saying trays, but i've been sewing into loads pots as i have no where nearby that sells trays.

I'm just a tad concerned that my seedlings may be unhealthy or may never reach seedlinghood?

 

I am sure that your seeds would reather be in an insignificant pot, rather than not been born at all.

 

They'll grow fine, I'm sure, Whiley! Plants just want to grow!!!!! :D They never read the instructions on the back of the packets!

 

I sow most seed in pots.
I dont read the instructions either. :D

 

I read the instructions VERY carefully, sow in trays, tend with loving care and have virtually zero results usually ... costs me a fortune! :eek: Think I'll give up this year!

Good luck to the rest of you! :rolleyes:

 

I do some in trays and others in pots. I don't think it makes much difference what the initial container is, as long as they get the right conditions for germination.

 

Whiley they'll be fine in pots. I used to sow in trays, but now use pots, I find the roots develop better with the greater depth. You need to read the instructions to see whether they should be lightly covered or not though.

 

The great advantage of small square pots is that you can get more of them into a propagator (heated or otherwise).

 

I'm trying seeds pretty much for the first time as well, having loaded several trays, not looking forward to thinning out, I then read that some veg eg carrots don't like being moved, so I have done some direct as well.

 

I'd assume that trays are suggested to save on compost, and because they're easier to move and more compact than pots. I don't see why pots would affect seedlings though, and it's less disruption than trays then pricking out I guess. LOL, I could well be wrong though, you know what they say assume means!

 

I like to sow into a 4" square pot - saves on compost, nice and deep for the roots, doesn't encourage me to sow far more seedlings than I can use, and they fit nicely together to save space - then prick out into seedtrays or celltrays. I'm less keen on celltrays than I used to be because I think it's hard to keep the seedling provided with food and water when it's rootball is so small and cramped.