Seedling question

[robfosters]

This may be the stupidest question ever, but I need to ask it.

If seedlings are sown in a multicell propagator, are they OK to be left in the covered propogator while the others germinate?

I will be sowing lots of chillies, and they can have varying germination times. According to guides, I'm supposed to leave the seedlings in the cell until they have 2 true leaves. However, will they be OK if they are covered with a clear plastic lid until ready to pot on?

[zazen999]

What do you mean? Are you talking heated propagator? Are you sowing 1 seed to each 'cell'. What do you mean by 'cell'?

I put a pinch of /chilli pepper seedlings in a small pot, and as soon as there is any sign of germination, they are taken out of the heated prop and left in the kitchen to carry on growing. You only need to crack open the seed and as soon as that's done, they don't really need the heat - particularly if you are going to eventually grow them in an unheated greenhouse.

[robfosters]

One of these.

B&Q 40 Cell Insert 08535B 5 Pk, 08535B

One seed in each cell. I should add that these are being grown under lights in a heated growbox until safe to plant out.

The trays are just very convenient for sowing.

[DGoulston]

I planted all my chilli's in a heated propagator around 2 weeks ago.

The Scotch Bonnets came through a day earlier than all the rest, but as soon as anything comes through, remove the lid but leave the heat on for a few more days. then remove the heat.

If you want to keep the heat on the ones that have not sprouted then just transplant the sprouted ones out I guess.

last year I transplanted them out when they were at this level:
(Day 10)

But that was without a heated propagator, so this year I have left them in there for a little longer, but heat is off now.

If I needed to propagate anything else at the moment, I would have transplanted them out.

Darren

[northepaul]

I use a heated prop, with clear lid for chillis and as soon as afew have popped up, I remove the lid, unless its abit chilly (excuse the pun ) at night.
When they are pretty much all up, I remove from the propagator and put in the sunniest place in the house, which is quite near a radiator, so they are warm at night. I also do this with toms and aubergines.

Hope that helps

[Two_Sheds]

If you keep a lid on over seedlings, they're likely to go mouldy in the condensation.

As the others have said, as soon as you have some come through, take off the lid. The others will usually catch up

[Two_Sheds]

I've just looked at your modules Rob, and what I would do is cut them into pieces with scissors, so you have 4 or 5 mini modules.
Then sow one variety in each module portion.
Different varieties take different lengths of time to germinate, as you know. When you get a variety come up, you can then remove it from the prop and leave the laggers in there

[veggiechicken]

Good idea TS. That is the problem with the multi modules, especially when sowing different varieties or even different types of veg. If stability of the cut-up modules was a problem (as they can be quite flimsy), it should be possible to set each strip of modules into an intact module and remove each strip as required.

[Alison]

I don't really like using this type of module for things that come up variably for the very reason that I want the seedlings out the propogator as soon as they break the surface - any longer and I find they get leggy and / or rot. I use little newspaper pots (about 1.5" across) which I can then pot on as a whole so that I don't risk breaking the stems. Works for me but like the idea of cutting up for this year as it's rather too late for anything else.

[Two_Sheds]

If stability of the cut-up modules was a problem (as they can be quite flimsy)...

Yes, they don't last long anyway. Every year I cut off the split bits and am left with a selection of totally different sized modules.

I did treat myself to some 'professional' modules from eBay, but I can't find them now to post a link. They come in 4x10 strips, attached only at the ends so you can use as a 40 module thing, or snap apart to use them separately

[robfosters]

Thanks TS,

I have done exactly that. Cut a big tray into square blocks of 4 cells each. Stability is fine. No problem at all. For the price they cost, it would'nt bother me replacing them each year.

Problem solved