Think I have been a bit too eager...

[Helgalush]

Hi, I think I have been too hasty in more ways than one...

I have planted my spring onion seedlings but think they are a) too young and b) I wasnt really sure how to thin them out and so I just planted all the seedlings I had sown (I sowed 3-4 per cell because I wasnt sure they would all take ).

Do you think they will come up or do I need to be a bit ruthless and pull a load of them out?



Also these are my leek seedlings and I think I have planted them waaaayyy too soon...do you think they will be ok?



Both lots look rubbish, I feel quite embarrassed

Any advice (including starting again!!) welcomed!

Thanks
Helen

[Bigmallly]

I would be tempted to carefully lift your spring onions & separate them then replant at 1"-2" spacing. Let your leeks do there own thing, they take an eternity. Mine are in the greenhouse & are taking forever to grow.

[zazen999]

I'd leave them all be, and sow the next batch of springs. Just leave them until they are bigger before plating out.

If you look at Piglet Willie's blog, you will see that he grows springs in bunches, as do I. They push each other apart as they grow and you have harvest a handful at a time.

[Bigmallly]

I stand corrected & will also bear that in mind.

[pjh75]

Can't give any advice as I don't know the answers... someone who knows will be along soon enough, but just wanted to say:

1) Don't feel embarrassed about what you have done or not knowing what to do. Everyone has to start somwehere.

2) I enjoy reading your posts and questions... you sound so keen to learn, and you will.

[pjh75]

There you go... took so long to type that and you've been answered already.

[tamsin]

The small clumps will be fine, they'll just push each other out the way. Next time though I'd just sow direct about 1" apart. Then you don't need to transplant

[Helgalush]

Thanks everyone for your replies and for your advice. It is good to know that all is not lost and maybe they will be ok after all!

[Helgalush]

Can't give any advice as I don't know the answers... someone who knows will be along soon enough, but just wanted to say:

1) Don't feel embarrassed about what you have done or not knowing what to do. Everyone has to start somwehere.

2) I enjoy reading your posts and questions... you sound so keen to learn, and you will.

Ah thank you that is so nice!
(I feel quite responsible for growing some things properly and producing something that might be edible (even if not recognisable!) because I went a bit mad buying seeds and pots and equipment!! )

[Pies]

Leeks,and onions from seed,take forever and a day to get started.They will come in time

[Two_Sheds]

I would only add that your compost looks a bit wet. Don't drown your plants, just water them when their pot feels light.

[Sanjo]

Helgalush I do what Piglet advised (last year?). Starting Jan/Feb I sprinkle spring onion seeds onto a 5" pot in the greenhouse. Once they have germinated I keep them at the cool end.
I sow into pots every 3 weeks or so because as already said they take ages to produce anything really useful. ie your lettuce will be ready but no spring onion to go with it!!
I have already planted out about 5 pots into the salad bed and they look strong and healthy.
Dig a hole about the same size and depth as the pot. Tilt the pot until the compost and onions start to come out and carefully "dump" the contents into the hole and tamp down. Job done
I did this last year and it was the earliest I have ever had an onion.
Some of them got left behind at the start of winter and are still going strong.
Haven't tried them mind you, they are probably inedible.
As is often said on here, no question is a stupid question if you don't know the answer, and ALL of us, even those with thousands of posts against their names had to start somewhere!!
Use the advice on here and never be embarrassed or afraid to ask. Somebody will have experienced the same thing and know the answer I guarantee it!!

[Shadylane]

I've found this thread quite useful. I started spring onions last year and recently transplanted them individually (they looked similar to yours Helgalush) after which I wished I'd just sown them direct as it was a pain in the rectum. I like this clump sowing idea - think I'll try that for the next batch

[chris]

Helgalush I do what Piglet advised (last year?). Starting Jan/Feb I sprinkle spring onion seeds onto a 5" pot in the greenhouse. Once they have germinated I keep them at the cool end.
I sow into pots every 3 weeks or so because as already said they take ages to produce anything really useful. ie your lettuce will be ready but no spring onion to go with it!!
I have already planted out about 5 pots into the salad bed and they look strong and healthy.
Dig a hole about the same size and depth as the pot. Invert the pot and carefully "dump" the contents into the hole and tamp down. Job done
I did this last year and it was the earliest I have ever had an onion.
Some of them got left behind at the start of winter and are still going strong.
Haven't tried them mind you, they are probably inedible.
As is often said on here, no question is a stupid question if you don't know the answer, and ALL of us, even those with thousands of posts against their names had to start somewhere!!
Use the advice on here and never be embarrassed or afraid to ask. Somebody will have experienced the same thing and know the answer I guarantee it!!

Invert the pot? Planting the shoots upside down in the hole?

[zazen999]

Invert the pot? Planting the shoots upside down in the hole?

Nooooooooo

Sanjo means invert it and take the whole module rot ball out, and plant that [shoots up].

Rather than separate each onion.

Works a treat