transplant question

PaulF · March 8, 2007

I have a new to me question on transplanting seedlings to the larger pots once there are two (or more) true leaves.

When I started growing tomatoes from seed back in '96, I always used fresh, brand new seed from on line seed sellers. I always grew out all the seeds in the packet because I could give the extra plants away.

After a few years and encouraged by all the seed savers on GW, I began to save my own and replant them. As my inventory began to grow and my favorite varieties settled in, the age of some seeds became greater.

Now after all that my question to the Tville group.....with new seed, medium aged seed and some older seed the germination times are beginning to vary a lot more than ever before. I have a third of the seedlings with two sets of true leaves, a third with one set and a third in the cotyledon stage. Can I wait until all the plants have two trues or transplant each set at different times. Does it hurt to have 2, 3 or 4 sets of leaves at transplant time? I have the time and the space so that is not a problem and I grow under lights and can vary the height of the lights if needed. What do you think.

NCTIM · March 8, 2007

Hey Paul,

Growin' way more than you need and given plants away is a lot of fun but also a considerable amount of work. I congradulate you.

Ok, here's what I think.

Ist start keeping your seeds seperated. ID your seeds in whatever way works for you. CP 05, CP 0,6 CP TGS ect. You may find that seed saved in 06 has crossed and then you'll still have good seed from 05.

As far as transplanting goes I would transplant whatever is ready( at least 1 true leaf stage). The smaller ones just replant them all together and wait. You will find that most, if not all of them, will continue to grow.

That's what I do. It took a leap of faith but it works. Craig's (nctomatoman) site explains it better then me.

Tim

**carolyn137** · March 9, 2007

Paul, what age seeds are you talking about?

I ask b'c I don't see that much difference in germination of my own saved seeds that are under 5 yo, and seed that you bought may well be that age as well, or a bit fresher, since the packed by date does not tell you the seed age, it tells you the date the seeds were packed.

PaulF · March 9, 2007

The seeds packed for this year or last year were up first. Seeds between 3 and 5 years old came up next and some of the seeds between 5 and ten years old came up last. Of course,there was some overlap because of differing varieties, etc. The older seed was from members kind enough to send seed to try and and grow it out or older seed I had not planted due to space limitations or poor memory.

I am transplanting anything with two sets of true leaves just to be sure. I think by the time I get the first batch done the next set will be ready.

March 8, 2007	#1
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,296	transplant question I have a new to me question on transplanting seedlings to the larger pots once there are two (or more) true leaves. When I started growing tomatoes from seed back in '96, I always used fresh, brand new seed from on line seed sellers. I always grew out all the seeds in the packet because I could give the extra plants away. After a few years and encouraged by all the seed savers on GW, I began to save my own and replant them. As my inventory began to grow and my favorite varieties settled in, the age of some seeds became greater. Now after all that my question to the Tville group.....with new seed, medium aged seed and some older seed the germination times are beginning to vary a lot more than ever before. I have a third of the seedlings with two sets of true leaves, a third with one set and a third in the cotyledon stage. Can I wait until all the plants have two trues or transplant each set at different times. Does it hurt to have 2, 3 or 4 sets of leaves at transplant time? I have the time and the space so that is not a problem and I grow under lights and can vary the height of the lights if needed. What do you think. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

March 8, 2007	#2
NCTIM Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: zone 8 NC Posts: 286	Hey Paul, Growin' way more than you need and given plants away is a lot of fun but also a considerable amount of work. I congradulate you. Ok, here's what I think. Ist start keeping your seeds seperated. ID your seeds in whatever way works for you. CP 05, CP 0,6 CP TGS ect. You may find that seed saved in 06 has crossed and then you'll still have good seed from 05. As far as transplanting goes I would transplant whatever is ready( at least 1 true leaf stage). The smaller ones just replant them all together and wait. You will find that most, if not all of them, will continue to grow. That's what I do. It took a leap of faith but it works. Craig's (nctomatoman) site explains it better then me. Tim __________________ "You can observe a lot by just watching." - Yogi Berra

March 9, 2007	#3
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Paul, what age seeds are you talking about? I ask b'c I don't see that much difference in germination of my own saved seeds that are under 5 yo, and seed that you bought may well be that age as well, or a bit fresher, since the packed by date does not tell you the seed age, it tells you the date the seeds were packed. __________________ Carolyn

March 9, 2007	#4
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,296	The seeds packed for this year or last year were up first. Seeds between 3 and 5 years old came up next and some of the seeds between 5 and ten years old came up last. Of course,there was some overlap because of differing varieties, etc. The older seed was from members kind enough to send seed to try and and grow it out or older seed I had not planted due to space limitations or poor memory. I am transplanting anything with two sets of true leaves just to be sure. I think by the time I get the first batch done the next set will be ready. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.