Aubergine Seedlings

[vikkib]

I have some more newbie questions

I sowed some aubergine seeds about 2 1/2 weeks ago but I seem to have sown far too many seeds in each cell!

Should I 'thin' these out yet?
If yes, what does 'thin' actually mean!?
Do I just need to pick out some of the seedlings?
How many should I leave in each cell?

Sorry for all the questions... I'm just totally amazed that all these tiny little plants have sprung up, I don't think I expected all of them to make it!

I seem to remember my nan telling me to plant 7 seeds for each plant that I wanted but these seeds must be super charged!

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[zazen999]

How many plants do you actually want?

[vikkib]

I'm not sure how much yield I will get from each plant but probably only a few.

I haven't got a huge amount of space and it will only be myself and OH eating them so probably one or two for us and the others I'd like to grow on a bit and then give to my Nan and Granddad. (The retirement community they live in has just bought a greenhouse and is planning to grow veg to sell to the local residents ).

So I'd guess 4 or 5 in total.

[zazen999]

What you can do is to pull out or break off the weaker seedlings, so that you have 3 left in each module [assuming that those 2 are the only modules that you have]...then just leave them in the modules until they have developed their next set of leaves. Then you can separate them out and pot them into small separate pots. If you want 4 then leave 6 so you can pot on the 4 or 5 strongest ones to pot on.

Or, you can just leave them as they are, and just pot on the top 4 or 5 when the leaves have grown. Personally, I'd leave them be for a while longer.

[Capsid]

You have green fingers! I just can't bring myself to throw extra seedlings away. So I usually sow a lot less for starters. I sowed 4-5 aubergines this year and 3 have germinated, that is all I will need given my greenhouse space. You should restrict the plant to produce about 3-6 fruits only.

In the past I have emptied whole packets into a seed tray and then like you, wonder what to do with the excess. I suggest that you pot each individual seedling into its own pot and then give some to your nan and the rest perhaps you can swap with work colleagues? At my work place we have a plant swap towards the end of May, you'd be surprised how many are closet gardeners.

[vikkib]

assuming that those 2 are the only modules that you have

I have to confess it's not... I've got another 4! The other 4 aren't quite so prolific though and they are at different stages (I've been experimenting with different window sills and covered and uncovered).

I will leave them all a bit longer and then start to pick out at least a couple of the weaker ones from each module before potting them on so I'll have some plants at slightly different stages to try and stagger the fruiting.

At my work place we have a plant swap towards the end of May, you'd be surprised how many are closet gardeners.

I work for my Dad's painting and decorating business so not so many people to ask but I will definitely check and see if any of the guys want any of the plants! If not I think I'll be offering them on freecycle instead.


I have started learning from my mistake though and have sown my tomato seeds far more sensibly!