What veg dont like being transplanted?

[Victoria26]

Ok I'm a wee bit miffed with regard to some info i've been reading on the RHS website.

They said to sow fennel, cauliflower, brussel sprouts in modules and then transplant them out when big enough but I always thought each of these veg didn't like to be transplanted and had to be sown in situ and then thinned out?

Can anyone clear this up for me or would i be better to plant these into paper tubes and plant straight out? (sigh the idea of making more newspaper pots is not really appealing at the mo!)

[zazen999]

Ok.

The only things I don't transplant [ie start off in modules or root trainers] are carrots.

Some say coriander doesn't like being transplanted but I've done that before and they have been fine...but I do sprinkle loads of seed around my carrot beds and they soon grow.

I prefer to grow everything in modules/roottrainers/cardboard tubes/jiffys/pots to give them good root systems before they are planted out. This means you can ditch weak seedlings as you go and never thinning out. When I sow carrots, I sow a pinch in different locations and they push each other apart.

[Demeter]

Never done fennel but I think caulis and brussels sprouts will transplant without problems.
You *can* grow them in situ but if you can grow them on a bit before you plant them out then they will have a better chance of surviving the onslaught of slugs and things.

[Flummery]

You can transplant all of those. I don't do it with carrots, turnips, radishes, stuff with roots that can be damaged (where the root is the bit you eat!)

[rogesse]

I have to grow all the above plus everything else in modules otherwise Mr Foxy (and mates) come and dig it up despite netting!

I may lose a few but try to be very carefull when transplanting. Often I use the preformed decomposing pots or newspaper tubes. I can only presume it has to do with root formation and as I've learned to my cost it doesn't pay to over mollycoddle certain fruit and veg - treat 'em mean keep 'em keen and growing!

[Capsid]

I start brassicas off in modules, works well. I buy the 5x3 plastic modules from Wilkos. They are 3 for 99p and you can use them again for several years.

[Victoria26]

ok guys - Thanks for clearing that up!

Hmmmm might go into the garage and fill some trays! Seed sowing by the telly is my night time hobby!

Sad aint i?

[teakdesk]

If you sow in modules then you plant out the whole module without losing any compost from around the roots or disturbing the roots in any way.

This is not really "transplanting" in the traditional sense.

I can see no reason why all seeds cannot be treated this way (need to get light levels, temperatures and watering right though!!).


Transplanting to me means sowing in trays and then digging each seedling out to plant on - this does disturb the roots and many varieties do not do well with this method.

[piskieinboots]

I've never had trouble transplanting brussels - I believe parsnips (did someone say parsnips...) don't like to too much, but I haven't tried as I sow 'em in situ

I wouldn't transplant carrots!

Whenever I can I use rootrainers, I have tons and they are the bestesteset ever

[sewer rat]

I start off loads in modules, pots or seed trays - all my brassicas - cabbages, cauliflower, sprouts, calabrese, PSB,(totalling approx 6000 plants) all my lettuces (150 per week) leeks (150 x 1 litre pots), chard and perpetual spinach for the polytunnel, french and runner beans (though when I plant these out, I place another seed at the bottom of the hole to grow on later), all my herbs, florence fennel, celery, celeriac, toms, cukes, courgettes, squash , spring onions a la PW for the polytunnel, globe artichokes, aubergines etc. These are all planted out by hand when ready.
The following I sow direct - peas, broad beans, beetroot (monogerm variety), carrots, parsnips, CCA salad mixes (these are broadcast into two raised beds), onion sets, garlic, spring onions, chard for outside, potatoes, milan turnips, swede and Jerusalem Artichokes.
The only one I'm not sure about is Kohl rabi as I haven't grown it before.

[Victoria26]

Sheesh!! Cheers sewer rat! Thats pretty exhaustive but very very informative! I was gonna start off my parsnips in loo rolls and then transplant them as i've been told they've got a lousy germination rate.

[piskieinboots]

The only one I'm not sure about is Kohl rabi as I haven't grown it before.

I grow a fair amount of this, it is rather like sowing beetroot - too darn easy to consider starting off in modules, just stick ya finger in lass and bung seed in

[Demeter]

french and runner beans (though when I plant these out, I place another seed at the bottom of the hole to grow on later)

What a brilliant tip. Thank you for that!

[rogesse]

Probably going against the grain (grape) here but I've never had a problem growing the dreaded parsnip in modules.

I agree that transplanting the whole module cushions the little darlings but it is having to put down roots in the big bad world of real soil that gives them a bit of a shock - especially brassicas!

[MrsC]

I've always transplanted beetroot with no problem x