How to replant culled seedlings?

[CubanBenny]

I have some beetroot and runner beans I need to cull as there is 2 or 3 seedlings growing together (as I put down a few seeds in each spot). When i pull out the weaker seedlings and try to plant these weaker seedlings somewhere else they tend not to live.

Any tips on how I can do this successfully? It would be nice to make use of all my seedlings. I try to be as gentle as possible when I pull up the seedlings and make sure not to touch the roots, but no luck so far.

[Scarlet]

Are you pulling them out?
Gently unpot the container and split the contents trying to keep as much compost around the seedling as possible. If you have to hold the seedling only touch the first leaves.


If the seedlings are very small just prick out with a small tool - I use a knife.
If you don't get much luck, sow in smaller pots. One seed per module.

[CubanBenny]

Are you pulling them out?

If you have to hold the seedling only touch the first leaves.

If the seedlings are very small just prick out with a small tool - I use a knife.

Unfortunately, I have planted these seeds/beans directly in the earth, so I have to pull them out to get them out. I just leave the strongest looking one of the three.

I am pulling them out from the base of the stem.

[veggiechicken]

Hi Benny and welcome.
Some people leave a cluster of beetroot to grow without thinning. As the beets develop they push each other apart.

[Jungle Jane]

I'd leave them as they are & hope the roots can spread out around the cluster as its only three plants & maybe it will all be ok,or do you have another cluster of three next to them?

[Mr Bones]

Hi Benny and welcome to the vine.
When thinning beetroot water the bed well beforehand and gently tease out those that need to go. When planting them in their new bed I dib a hole (with my finger), pop them in and firm around them before watering in. The transplants need to be about three inches or bigger and will go into a right old sulk. The existing leaves may die off but new ones appear in the centre after about a week.

[Penellype]

Use an old kitchen fork to tease the weaker seedlings out. Avoid holding the stem - hold the plant by a leaf (preferably a seed leaf). Try to do this when the seedlings are small, best when they have 2 true leaves. Remember that a plant can grow a new leaf, but it is much less likely to be able to grow a new stem.

[Scarlet]

I am pulling them out from the base of the stem.

Pulling them out is asking for disaster! Runner bean seeds are pretty hardy, dig the lot out with a fork, separate and replant where you want them. I often leave my beetroot seeds in clumps but I would probably fork thise out and separate if Ihavent sow many.

[CubanBenny]

Thanks for all the great tips!

It looks like now that my beetroot is growing new leaves...I hand thought it was dying.

I will try tip of forking them all out and separating them then with table fork.

[Scarlet]

You can try teasing them apart gently by hand after digging the clump up with a hand trowel ....practice makes perfect good luck!

[Nicos]

I also leave them!
Just take the biggest one in the the cluster whilst they are very tender and golfball sized....yum!
Remember the young leaves are lovely in a salad too!

[Greenleaves]

If I do thin out beetroot i dig out a patch with a dinner fork and put it in a tray of water, after about 15 mins They tease apart easily