Celeriac seedlings and potting on

[HimIndoors]

I have a propagator full of celeriac and all the seedlings are now about an inch tall, the seed packet tells me I should move them into individual modules when they are big enough to handle. What exactly does big enough to handle mean, should I prick them out now and start potting them up or do I need to wait for true leaves so they are a but more robust and might survive my clumsy fingers?

[wellie]

I'd wait a bit HimIndoors if I were you. They grow pretty slow at first, so don't be alarmed at how tiny they are for now, they'll fatten up in time. Once they start with their true leaves, they're a lot easier to handle. Although, if you have loads of seedlings, you could always prick out a few, just to get a feel for it. Then you'll know better for next year how confident you feel.
Lots of luck,

[Flummery]

I always wait for the first pair of true leaves before potting on. I think the little things have to be able to cope with the move and they do that better with a bit of decent root.

[HimIndoors]

OK thanks for the advice, I was just a little worried they would get too leggy if I leave them until their true leaves form. Is there any way to slow down the height growth (they are currently still in the propagator with lid on but vents open sat on a windowsill and I turn them daily) or is it possible to just pot them in bit deeper when they are finally ready?

This seems to be the only part of growing my own I struggle with year on year, I cant seem to get a feel for whats right in a propagator!

[Flummery]

If plants are reasonably hardy (in other words, if the packet says you can sow them outside in March) then I would put them in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse to harden off a bit. Then gradually over a few weeks I'd put them outside in the day and back in greenhouse at night. This keeps them growing on slowly without the added heat. It's different for tender things like toms and peppers of course.

[wellie]

You see, you want the temperature warm enough for the seeds to germinate, and then when they HAVE germinated, the temperature needs to be a tad cooler, so they don't grow like beanstalks! and also they need much more light once they've germinated, or they will still try and do their beanstalk impression. (Believe me, I know how difficult it is when you first start out to get all of those things remotely right, and it only comes with practice, sheer bl**dy luck, or experience?! But you WILL get it right......!)

if they're the only seedlings in there, just switch the propagator off, keep the vents open, and try and put them somewhere much lighter during the day, still tucked up in their cosy environment. Would that be possible? What you need them to do now, is to 'fatten up' and not grow upwards no more, and as Flummery says, to put some serious roots down into the compost. Then bring them back into the warm again late afternoon as the light lessens, 'tucking them up for the night', and put them back in the brightest position (not direct sunlight or they might scorchio!) again the following day, etc.

Please do keep nagging at us though HimIndoors, as if we've not answered your question fully enough, we're all right here, and can do, no probs.

Please let us know how you're getting on. When I was 'knee deep in it" when I first started, I found the moral support of others completely invaluable.....
Fingies crossed for you!

[Eyren]

I have some celeriac seedlings, slightly larger (got their first set of true leaves) - one per module in a 24-module tray. They're looking a bit leggy (germinated suddenly and I didn't get them into the well-lit but unheated conservatory quick enough) - are they OK in the modules for a while yet, or should I pot them on?

[wellie]

Hi Eyren!

Your modules sound fine, and big enough for them to root into for a while longer.
The nutrients in the compost will last for up to 4 weeks, and if you have a liquid feed handy, I'd make up a quarter-strength solution and (keep any surplus in an empty pop bottle) water your celeriac seedlings with it, this will help fatten them up a bit.
When you suspect that the module compost is now filling nicely with roots, you can pot them on into individual pots (say equiv. of 3 and a half inch size?). Providing you're using nice fresh compost, that will feed the seedlings for another 4 weeks, etc. until they're ready to be planted out after risk of frosts (early June).

Does that sound good?

[Eyren]

Very good - thanks! I sowed them in early February, so I think they will need feeding soon (will have to look out that little bottle of seaweed extract that came as a freebie with a seed order!).

[Two_Sheds]

I know the packet said sow in Feb, but that is too early, because its a long time to have them hanging around in cell trays. The young plants are planted out at the end of May/early June. They are very sensitive to cold weather at this stage, so planting out should be delayed if the weather is cold.
That's why I won't be sowing until April. (smart arris)

[Eyren]

Oh well, I'll know in future. Annoying when the seed packets are misleading!

I'll just pot on a small number of the strongest when they're a tad bigger, and keep my fingers crossed!

[HimIndoors]

Thankyou both for the advice and encouraging words, my celeriac is now spending its days (and last night after a very wine filled evening with family staying over) in an unheated greenhouse. They do seem to have stopped growing upwards so fingers crossed they will fatten up now and get some decent growth on them.