When to transplant seedlings???

[adjohnson1971]

Last week I posted a question about why we sow seeds into small pots and then transplant them into larger pots( many thanks to Two Sheds for his reply).
Anyway the seeds I sown last week (lettuce, cabbage and cauli) are coming on very strong and now need to know when is the best time to move them into bigger pots?? Also how do I go about this without damaging the plants?? as they look very fragile when compared to my big fingers!!!!

[BUFFS]

you can transplant any time when you can lift the seedlings,they must be lifted by the leaves,never hold them by the stem,its better if you wait for two real leaves to develop,making them easier to handle,replant them deep to make strong young plants,good luck with them and watch the weather..

[Flummery]

As Buffs says, make sure they have their propper leaves showing before you transplant. Most things will be 2 or 3 inches high before you do this. They want to be grown a bit hard though. If you sow cabbages indoors they'll get all long and lanky. They need much lower germination temperatures than tomatoes and chillies. I sow cabbages and their relations in the cold greenhouse.

[Pies]

...( many thanks to Two Sheds for his reply).

You,re going to get a slap

[Two_Sheds]

( many thanks to Two Sheds for his reply).

Yeah, none taken

I don't repot until I can see roots out the bottom of the old pot.

You could use a wide-tined kitchen fork to pick up the seedling if your fingers are clumsy. Loosen its roots with another fork, after soaking the pot in a saucer of water for about 20 mins. Don't touch the stem if you can help it: leaves will regrow, but broken stems are terminal

[grahama]

TS, you need some pink on that shed of yours !!!

[Two_Sheds]

I HATE pink! Always have done.