Seedling support

[Claire72]

I have started off sweet peas, nasturtium, cabbage, leeks and peas in windowsill propogators and they have all come on really well. Should I take the tops off the propogators now as they have all reached the top. do I need to plant them on into pots to give them more space, or does that usually wait a while, or will they manage in the propogators until they go outside at the end of march/april time???

[Iamhanuman]

hi claire72
they certainly won't like their little heads bumping into the lid of the propagator, i know that
someone far more knowledgable will come along shortly, but i think it's safe to tease them out (by leaves only, not stem) and gently lovingly pot them up, indoors or out accordingly

[Eco-Chic]

Claire,

You could raise the lid up on some supports at night (so it is clear of the seedlings), for the next few nights and remove it altogether in the daytime.

If the roots are coming out of the end of the pots or modules it is time to pot them up a level.

[Victoria26]

I'd suggest potting them on and keeping them on a windowsill until they're a bit bigger. The leeks and peas should be ok to go straight out but i'd maybe harden off your others so they dont die of fright when they feel how cold it is.

This is certainly the right place to ask. So many people are really skilled on here (moreso than myself)

[Iamhanuman]

what did you end up doing Claire?

[rana]

I would definately pot up the sweet peas as they need a deep root run and will soon be clambering out of the tray. At the 6 leaf stage the tops can be pinched out to encourage branching.

The leeks will be fine.

It's well pretty for nasturtiums so it might be an idea to sow again later when there is less likelyhood of frost and the seedlings require less protection.