Starting plants from seed trays allows you to grow many seedlings in a small space. But once they begin crowding each other it’s time to transplant them into larger containers or the garden. Moving seedlings from trays requires care to avoid damage but follow these steps and you’ll have success!
When to Transplant Seedlings
Timing is important when transplanting. Move plants when:
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True leaves emerge – The seedlings have developed their first true leaves beyond the initial seed leaves (cotyledons). This shows the root system is established enough for transplanting.
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Roots fill cells – Gently tip the tray and check the bottom. If roots are circling or growing out of drainage holes, the plants need more room.
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Crowding occurs – Leafy growth begins touching neighboring seedlings causing them to stretch and compete for light and nutrients.
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Thick stem develops – Seedling stems thicken, a sign they are maturing and require potting up.
Avoid transplanting in extreme heat or cold. Pick a cloudy, calm day if possible.
How to Transplant Seedlings Step-by-Step
Follow these steps when moving seedlings from trays:
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Prepare containers and soil mix
Fill pots or trays with moistened potting mix. Leave 1⁄4 inch headspace. For gardens, prepare seedbeds by loosening soil and removing weeds.
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Water seedling trays
Water trays thoroughly 1-2 hours before transplanting. This hydrates plants so roots stay moist when exposed.
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Carefully remove seedlings
Use a fork or popsicle stick to gently loosen each plant. Extract seedlings carefully to keep roots intact.
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Tease apart clumps
If roots are tangled, gently tease apart plants while minimizing root damage. Aim for 2-3 seedlings per clump.
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Transplant into containers
Make holes in potting mix with a pencil about the same depth as seedling root length. Place 1-2 plants per pot. Backfill soil gently.
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Water transplants
Water newly planted seedlings immediately until soil is moist. This removes air pockets and revives roots.
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Provide shade
Place transplants in partial shade for a few days to reduce transplant shock and stress.
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Harden off before planting outdoors
When moving into the garden, allow seedlings to gradually acclimate to sun and wind over 7-10 days.
Seedling Transplanting Tips
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Handle seedlings gently by leaves or soil, not stems. Stems are fragile.
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Avoid burying leaves or stems when transplanting. Plant at same depth as before.
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Water with a diluted fertilizer solution after transplant for an added nutrient boost.
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Place leggy or stretched seedlings deeper in new containers up to the lowest leaves.
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Discard any seedlings with signs of disease to prevent spreading.
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Keep seedling roots moist, not wet. Drying causes permanent damage.
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Transplant on a calm, cloudy day to minimize wilting or desiccation.
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Use a pencil or dowel to make planting holes the width of the root ball.
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Allow time between transplanting batches for roots to recover and rehydrate.
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Group fast and slow growing plants separately to prevent one from shading the other.
What to Expect After Transplanting Seedlings
It’s normal for some shock symptoms to occur after transplanting seedlings:
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Wilting – Drooping leaves and stems from disturbance to the roots. Temporary.
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Slow growth – Reduced vigor as seedling recovers. Growth will pick back up.
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Yellowing leaves – Lower leaves yellow from stress. Should resolve in a few days.
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Leggy appearance – Sudden exposure to more light can cause seedlings to stretch between nodes.
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Dropped leaves – Lower mature leaves drop after transplant. Not a concern unless excessive.
As long as plants perk up with time and new growth emerges, transplant shock is only temporary. Provide optimal care and seedlings will establish successfully.
Troubleshooting Transplant Problems
If issues arise after transplanting, review these potential causes and remedies:
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Death soon after – Roots likely dried out. Water more frequently after transplanting.
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Stunted growth – Too much burying of stem during planting. Ensure only roots are below soil.
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Yellow lower leaves – Overwatering can lead to root rot and leaf yellowing. Allow soil to partially dry before watering.
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Wilted appearance – Could indicate underwatering, overwatering, disease spread or excess sun/heat. Check soil moisture, isolate sick plants and provide shade.
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Leggy growth – Insufficient light after transplant is causing excessive stretch between nodes. Give more sun exposure.
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Drooping leaves – Physical damage to stems or roots during transplant can cause temporary leaf drooping as the plant recovers.
While transplanting seedlings takes some care, the little time needed saves you weeks of re-sowing seeds. Just follow these guidelines, be gentle with roots, and provide attentive aftercare. Thriving transplanted seedlings will soon be decorating your garden or windowsills!
Blog Network: Marthas Circle
Inside my main greenhouse, weve already planted lots of seeds for the coming gardening season and theyre all growing so nicely.
Starting from seed is not difficult to do, but it does require careful attention and patience. And once the seedlings start to develop, it’s important to keep up with maintenance care – thin out seedlings that are weak, prick out those that are growing too big for their seed starting trays, and transplant them into larger pots and flats.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
The Secret to Healthy Seedlings How to Transplant Them
FAQ
When should you transplant seedlings from seed tray?
… if their cotyledons are turning yellow, they’ve already grown one or two sets of true leaves, or their roots are growing through the drainage hole in their …
How do I transfer seedlings from one seed box to another?
- Prepare a hole in well fertilized soil. …
- Place your hand over the soil allowing the seedling stem to come between your fingers not leaving too much of a gap – we don’t want to lose it’s original soil- and squeeze the bottom of the seedling pot to loosen the soil and the roots from the inner walls.
How do you transplant seedlings without killing them?
This also helps tomatoes to have a more extensive root system which helps them to soak up water and nutrients. To keep your seedling transplants from going into transplant shock, be sure to keep the roots damp and keep your seedlings out of direct sunlight for a couple of days.
How do you transplant a plant from a seed tray?
Use your finger or a pen to poke a hole into the center of the pot. If the soil is dry in their current home, water your seedlings before moving them. Then, carefully lift your seedling by the stem, not the leaves, and try to retain as much of the roots and surrounding soil as possible.
How do you transplant a seedling?
When it’s time to transplant, wet your seedling tray soil & your garden’s soil. This makes the soil stickier. It holds together better when removing the seedling from the tray & when making a hole in the soil in your garden bed for the plant to go into. Gently push up from the bottom of the seed tray to pop the seedling out.
Should I Wet my seedling tray before transplanting?
Transplanting When it’s time to transplant, wet your seedling tray soil & your garden’s soil. This makes the soil stickier. It holds together better when removing the seedling from the tray & when making a hole in the soil in your garden bed for the plant to go into.
How do I move seedlings from trays?
Avoid transplanting in extreme heat or cold. Pick a cloudy, calm day if possible. Follow these steps when moving seedlings from trays: 1. Prepare containers and soil mix Fill pots or trays with moistened potting mix. Leave 1⁄4 inch headspace. For gardens, prepare seedbeds by loosening soil and removing weeds. 2. Water seedling trays
When should I transplant seedlings from seed trays?
Gardener’s gloved hands plant a sprout in the ground with garden shovel in early spring. Starting seedlings indoors gives you a jump-start, but determining when to transplant seedlings from seed trays will take knowing your plants. If out of season or just fragile by nature, nurturing seedlings to maturity can be a difficult feat.
What happens if a seed tray is left in too long?
If left in the seed tray for too long, it can adversely affect their growth, as they may need more nutrients. Nevertheless, many individuals need to learn when to transplant seedlings from the seed tray. Transplanting is moving tiny seedlings from one location to another, giving them enough space to grow and develop.