Too many seeds germinated in each cell

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by davetherave, May 16, 2015.

  1. davetherave

    davetherave Gardener

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    Since my hands have become more arthritic my wife planted the seeds in our new greenhouse.
    We have never been very successful with seeds because I think the compost we were using was rubbish and we are not very good lol.
    When she planted the seeds I was unwell and let her get on with it the problem is she went a bit crackers lol and now we have up to 20 young plants in each cell.They are not developing true leaves due to overcrowding I don't have a clue what to do.
    The overcrowded plants are Petunias F2 and F1,Lobelia, Alyssum and Antirrhinums what is the best way to thin them out?
    Any advice would be appreciated.
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2015
  2. "M"

    "M" Total Gardener

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    Hmm, if it were me, I'd leave the tallest one in each cell and pull the rest out.
    If your fingers can't grip them, could you use tweezers and pluck them out?
     
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Hi Dave, one alternative is to soak the cells in water and then, since your fingers aren't going to be nimble enough, get your Good Lady to gently separate the seedlings and then pot them on. I sow seeds in trays and then do the same thing when the plants are big enough. Let us know how you get on whichever method you use.:thumbsup::snork:
       
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      • lost_in_france

        lost_in_france Total Gardener

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        Was just about to post what Armandii has just said. It's what I would do
         
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        • Freddy

          Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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          Sorry to disagree, but I'd tend to take out the longest, leaving the shortest. The longer ones will tend to be spindly because of the competition. In my opinion, what you're looking for is short, stocky seedlings.
           
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          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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            Just to add, with Lobelia, you should reduce the seedlings to a 'clump' of around 5 seedlings.
             
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            • "M"

              "M" Total Gardener

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              Thank you, Freddy. Always good to learn something new :)
              I believed it is the tallest because those are the ones which have put on the strongest growth and so are the strongest of the bunch. I can see why you recommend the shortest.
               
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              • Lolimac

                Lolimac Guest

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                I've always grabbed a 'pinch' of Lobelia and even with other really small seedlings like Petunias I've done the same and thinned them out as they get bigger,it's so much easier:thumbsup:
                 
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                • HarryS

                  HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                  I did the same with Nemesia this year . Now some seeds you get lovely individual seedlings sprouting up . Nemesia was like a birds nest tangled with spaghetti ! So like Loli just pricked out in little clumps. They are looking really bushy and healthy now :blue thumb:
                   
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                  • davetherave

                    davetherave Gardener

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                    Thanks everyone for the replies :)
                    I will try and use tweezers to thin them out and leave the smallest seedling I have a large handle pair.Its going to take me a few days as I think I can only manage a couple of pots at a time then my hand will seize up.
                    At the moment many of the seedlings are really tiny particularly the petunias should I let them grow on a bit?
                     
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                    • Freddy

                      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                      Dave, let me add, take out the longest seedlings but if you think the shortest one looks weak, go for the next one up, if that makes sense? Regarding your Petunias, I would thin them out as soon as you're able :blue thumb:
                       
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                      • davetherave

                        davetherave Gardener

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                        I thinned out two trays of 20 cells each I must have removed nearly 200 Petunia seedlings I couldn't manage to do anymore.I have left two in each cell with plenty of gap between them and will see what happens.
                        I will try again tomorrow.
                         
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                        • ARMANDII

                          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                          I think you've done well, Dave:thumbsup::coffee::snork:
                           
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                          • davetherave

                            davetherave Gardener

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                            Thinned out the last two trays of the petunias they were not as bad as yesterdays and managed to do five trays of stocks but they didn't need many removed.Having problems holding the computer mouse now my own fault I wouldn't give up the Mrs has told me off lol.
                             
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                            • ARMANDII

                              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                              Never cross the Mrs, Dave:nonofinger:, that's living dangerously!!!:hate-shocked::heehee:
                               
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