When to Transfer Seedlings to Bigger Pots
It’s both exciting and daunting to be responsible for the growth of a new plant, especially when it’s a young seedling. Knowing when it’s time to transfer seedlings to bigger pots is key to keeping them healthy and strong. Here are a few pieces of advice on the best time to give your seedlings a new home.
Check Roots
A good indication of when you should transfer your seedlings to bigger pots is their root development. When the roots start wrapping around and out of the bottom of the current pot, it’s time to start thinking about giving them a bigger space.
Check Foliage
You can also use their foliage to assess when and if they need to be transplanted to a new container. If the seedlings are starting to look crowded in their current pot, they’ll need a bigger size. You may even see some leaf yellowing or wilting if they are in desperate need of more space.
Be Careful When Transferring
When you do decide it’s time to move them to a new pot, do it with care. Gently remove the seedling from its current pot, taking as much soil as possible with it. Once moved to its new home, make sure that it is in the same depth and position as before.
Things to Consider
When deciding what pot size to go for, be mindful of the following:
- How much time until you need to move them outside (as larger pots may take longer to fill with soil and will mean more time in the pot)?
- What is the plant’s root growth speed?
- Are you looking to reuse any existing pots, or buy new ones?
Maintaining proper soil moisture and nutrition levels is also important for healthy seedlings, so don’t forget to pay attention to this for any newly potted plants.
By following these guidelines you’ll be able to ensure your seedlings are given the right amount of space to grow and are kept healthy and strong.
