Potting On

[Wonky]

Hi All,

Probably a very stupid question but as I am new at all this .... I am potting on my tomato, chilli and pepper plants today, tomatos from 3inch pots and others from the modules they were sown in. They are a good size now, especially the tomatoes. I have read that when potting on you should plant them up to their leaves to allow them to develop some more roots and make a stronger plant.

My question then is when people say this are they talking about planting up to the seed leaves or the first true leaves (therefore burying the seed leaves).

As I said, silly question probably but I want to get it right.

Thanks

Wonky

[dirtgirl]

I plant up to the seed leaves

[zazen999]

I bury the seed leaves

[j r hilton]

I also plant up to the seed leaves

[winstonwobble]

seed leaves for me too

[Florence Fennel]

Wot Zaz says, they make really strong plants if you sink the seed leaves.

[MutantCabbager]

I normally remove the seed leaves, they are a waste of the plants energy as they do not grow as large a surface area as the regular leaves. Never heard of burrying the leaves, surley they would just rot and not turn into rootmas and increase chance of infection. Sounds like wives tales to me.

On that note if you want to increase root mass and you intend to submerge part of the stem when you pot up, remove a small section 3-4mm wide of the cambium (The outside skin on the stem) paint on some rooting hormone, wrap some Sphagnum moss on, bind with a natural cotton or fine raffia (not tightly just enough to hold it on until the soil compresses it into place). Double or more your pot size when potting up.

Hope that makes sense, if it doesnt give me a shout.

[Suky]

Sounds like wives tales to me.
On that note if you want to increase root mass and you intend to submerge part of the stem when you pot up, remove a small section 3-4mm wide of the cambium (The outside skin on the stem) paint on some rooting hormone, wrap some Sphagnum moss on, bind with a natural cotton or fine raffia (not tightly just enough to hold it on until the soil compresses it into place). Double or more your pot size when potting up.

Hope that makes sense, if it doesnt give me a shout.

Can't see the need for all that faff, just bury up to seed leaves, deeper if you like, and the roots just grow. Tomatoes are very good at growing roots, try putting an 'armpit' that you have pinched out in water and watch 'em go!

[Wonky]

Thanks all. I re-potted them right up to the seed leaves and they seem to be very happy in their new homes.

Whilst doing this though, I noticed that one of my tomato plants doesn't look like the others. It has different leaves and doesn't have the fuzzy stem. It definitely came from the same packet. I wonder if it is a different type of tomato or even a chilli or red pepper seed?? Ill try and post pics later to see if anyone can shed any light on it.

[zazen999]

Thanks all. I re-potted them right up to the seed leaves and they seem to be very happy in their new homes.

Whilst doing this though, I noticed that one of my tomato plants doesn't look like the others. It has different leaves and doesn't have the fuzzy stem. It definitely came from the same packet. I wonder if it is a different type of tomato or even a chilli or red pepper seed?? Ill try and post pics later to see if anyone can shed any light on it.

It happens. I've got some that are like that. Just keep growing them - sometimes they turn out a treat sometimes not. Posting a photo though will work out if it is also a tomato or not.

[King Carrot]

I normally remove the seed leaves, they are a waste of the plants energy as they do not grow as large a surface area as the regular leaves. Never heard of burrying the leaves, surley they would just rot and not turn into rootmas and increase chance of infection. Sounds like wives tales to me. `

On that note if you want to increase root mass and you intend to submerge part of the stem when you pot up, remove a small section 3-4mm wide of the cambium (The outside skin on the stem) paint on some rooting hormone, wrap some Sphagnum moss on, bind with a natural cotton or fine raffia (not tightly just enough to hold it on until the soil compresses it into place). Double or more your pot size when potting up.

Hope that makes sense, if it doesnt give me a shout.

I let the plant decide if it's finished with them or not although I may bury them if I'm potting on, depends on the stretch of the plant I suppose. Tomatoes actually have nodules all up their stems which can form roots if covered in soil or even immersed in water. One technique of dealing with a tall lanky plant is to "trench" the stem and cover it with soil leaving the top leaves above ground, believe it or not that plant will form a very healthy root mass from the stem although I would personally take off any leaves including seed leaves to save burying them.


Are you sure all that other stuff relates to Toms as it sounds a bit OTT

[Potstubsdustbins]

When I plant my toms into their final pots I make sure I remove the seed leaves and then plant as deep as possible.

Colin

[ugley_matt]

Probably a stupid question but how big is "Big enough to handle?" I potted on some tomatos last weekend and they don't appear to have done that much since then. I wonder if i went too soon. Mind you they are now in the conservatory so its a bit cooler in there than the utility room they germinated in.

[Kristen]

I prick out most things when they are at the seed leaf stage. The books advise doing it when they are at first true leaf stage. I don't think it makes any difference, except that the longer you leave it the more root they have, and (I think) the more damage that is caused by transplanting.

At seed-leaf stage there is only a single vertical root, so if you damage that you've had your chips! but I am patient and reasonably dexterous and I don't wreck many.

They sit and do nothing for quite a while at the seed leaf stage anyway (pricked out, or not) as they develop roots before putting on more leaf.

Temperature and light are the other factors. This time of the year plants are romping away, but we've had plenty of sun so if the weather is overcast they will be slower.

[Minamoo]

I use the back end of a knitting needle to prick out seedlings. One of those old fashioned needles with the flat nubbin on the end that has the needle size on. It works like a teeny tiny spade and lifts them up brilliantly.