When do I start pricking out?

When do I need to start pricking out?

I am growing my stuff in peat pots and have about 20 petunias in just one pot (opps) I guess it should be just one. Do I pull out the seedlings or cut their heads off? They are all about 1 cm high currently and a second set of leaves is just starting to appear.

Thanks

Gillyp :D

 

I'd leave them a little longer Gilly until the second leaves look bigger. I take the plug out of the pot and gently tease each plantlet apart, unless they are weeny when I tease them into small clumps. The plantlets are then potted on into individual pots until the weather is ready for them to go out, ususally during May June time depending on frosts. Hope this helps.

 

I agree with Celia, petunia seedlings are tiny anyway so best to give them a bit longer, so you can handle them by their real leaves. Try to use the leaves, not the stems, to hold them, and a tiny 'dibber' for separating and lifting is useful- try the pointed end of a plastic plant label, for instance.

 

I find a pencil very useful for helping disentangle the roots of tiny seedlings. Sometimes you can use the tip to lift the seedlings to the tray and use either end to gently firm the compost over the roots. Easier than using fingers. Usually I gently hold the leaf between two fingers and rather than tug just lift with the tip of the pencil. Water before you do it though.