Pricking out/thinning

[bario1]

What's the difference? I have sowed 3 broccoli seeds in small degradeable pots, and soon i want to thin them to 1 per pot. Do i just yank the two weakest seedlings out and leave the strongest to continue in the same pot, or do i tip out the contents and seperate the seedlings, then pot on the stongest in a bigger pot?

Cheers.

[sowitgrowit]

If you do want all three, then gently separate them out, rather than just a "yank" - I use a lolly stick or teaspoon sometimes, depending on the size of the seedlings.

If you don't want to separate to three individual pots (pricking out), but want to kill the weaker ones, leaving the stronger to grow on (thinning) then I prefer to pinch them off at soil level. No root disturbance for the strong one when the weaklings are pulled out.

[bario1]

Its horrible having to kill seedlings. And i'm not even vegetarian.

[Scarlet]

I dont like killing them off either! Prick them out, pot them all up individually and then grow them on if you've got the room. You can then do some swaps with your fellow gardeners.

[veggiechicken]

If you don't want to separate to three individual pots (pricking out), but want to kill the weaker ones, leaving the stronger to grow on (thinning) then I prefer to pinch them off at soil level. No root disturbance for the strong one when the weaklings are pulled out.

Or you can snip off the unwanted ones with scissors - may be easier if the seedlings are close together - you don't want to damage the chosen one

[bario1]

Might do that, Scarlet. The plot next to mine has just been taken over by first timers, maybe they'd appreciate a few plants...

[bario1]

Maybe i'll kill half, and pot on half, just to ease my conscience.

[veggiechicken]

I pot up everything, whether I want it or not!! You never know when you need to call on a reserve plant to fill a gap

[Stan79]

I feel soooooooo guilty thinning out seedlings. It must be a crime against nature?!?!

[Bren In Pots]

I pot up everything, whether I want it or not!! You never know when you need to call on a reserve plant to fill a gap

That's just what I do then when I've run out of space to grow them they get bunged in buckets.

[Two_Sheds]

I can't be bothered with pricking out or thinning.

I tend to plant beets, leek and onion seedlings out as a clump, and they push each other apart as they grow (thanks Zazen for that one)

Carrots, I sow a pinch every 3", and eat the "thinnings" when they're nouvelle cuisine size

Everything else gets sown thinly, ie 1 per pot or cell

[horticultural_hobbit]

I don't do thinning or pricking out either. I tried to do it this year with some toms, and I just despatched them to their maker. Have survivors that were just shoved together and I'm not planning on separating. I have observed though, that chillies and things quite like having bunk mates.