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Last Updated on March 12 , 2025
Come memorise everything you need to make out about potting up seedling – including tips on when , why , and how to pot up vegetable , herbaceous plant or blossom seedling . Potting up is asimple but essentialstep for achiever whenstarting seeds indoorsor in container ! Chances are , you ’ll in all likelihood need to repot seedling at least once ( maybe twice ) before they get transplanted into the garden . With these tips , your seedlings will grow as healthy , glad , and declamatory as potential .
Before and after potting up tomato seedlings – which was overdue at this size!
I ’ve also included a demonstration picture at the end of this post that shows our process for repotting tomato and cucumber seedlings .
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What is “Potting Up”?
Potting up means the act of transplanting seedlings “ up ” intolarger containersthan they were previously inhabit in .
Seedlings are commonly potted up into aslightly richer potting soilthan they were started in . Sometimes , seedling are alsothinned(gently separated or teased apart ) in the unconscious process , and then individually potted into enceinte containers .
Keep in mind that once you do repot seedling , the plant and container will take up more quad under your indoor grow ignitor – so plan accordingly !
The Importance of Potting Up
pot up seedlings as they grow aid themgrow quicker , hefty , larger , prevents tension or stunting , and generally live their best life .
When to Pot Up Seedlings
There is no hard - and - quick rule as to when to repot seedling . In general , it ’s time to pot up once the seedlings have outgrow their current container , which could be withintwo to six hebdomad after burgeon forth .
The exact time depend on anumber of factorsincluding the plant case and sizing , current container , and when you intend to transplant the seedlings alfresco for trade good . When in doubt , it ’s better to pot up early than wait too long !
How to Pot Up Seedlings
Best Soil for Potting Up
When potting up fairly large , established seedlings with a comme il faut root ball ( like the tomato in this object lesson ) we use ahigh - character constitutive potting soil , straight from the grip . Potting soil is more dumb and rich ( and often contains mild fertiliser ) than the cum starting mix it was previously growing in . At this leg in maturity , the seedlings will revalue the additional nutrients !
However , if you ’re repot very low , less established seedling ( under 2 inches tall ) that have thin fragile stem and no solid make solution ball , they will do best in lighter ground . In that guinea pig , mix 60 % organic potting grease and 40 % of your favoriteseed initiate admixture . That way , the tender roots gather less immunity when they ’re endeavor to grow .
A Neat Potting Up Trick
match out this easy manner to make the consummate sizing hole for potting up – which we also use when we ’re plant freehanded , heavy plant like shrubs or small trees in to pot ! The idea is to make adummy golf hole , or a placeholder for the root chunk , inside the container that the plant is being transferred in to . This antic works best withpre - moistenedsoil .
Planning to Reduce Potting Up
If you plan in advance , you could pop out certain vegetables , herb , and flowers in appropriate size containers thatreduces the need or urgencyto mountain up . Since I personally do not love the chore of potting up , I prefer to start my seeds inlarger containersthat do n’t require potting up as quickly ( or at all , depending on the seedling character ) .
For instance , I never use those tiny 72 - cell seed protrude trays , which ask to be potted up within a span weeks after germination . alternatively , we apply a combination of larger cell 6 - pack and mini pots when starting seeds indoors .
I get going the vast majority of our seedlings ( flowers , brassicas , and leafy leafy vegetable ) in large 2″ cell trays , where they can merrily live for 4 - 5 week and not take potting up at all . Then we come out larger , fast - growing seedlings like tomatoes , eggplant and cuke in small round4″ pots , and then pot up to6″ potsand8″ potsafter a few weeks . We embark on our summertime squash in 6″ pots and then transfer outside within a few week ( no potting up ) since squash do n’t care their roots disturb .
Ongoing Seedling Care
A workweek or so after potting up , the seedlings may revalue some diluteseaweed extractas a very gentle fertilizer . We sometimes also feed our transplantation with a freshaloe vera soil drench , either alone or mixed along with seaweed . Aloe vera reduces the risk of transplanting shock , and encourages robust new root development !
See more wind about ongoing seedling care in ourBeginner ’s Guide on bug out Seeds Indoors – including tips about harden off , transplantation , and more !
That’s really all there is to it.
The freshly transfer seedlings can now live happily in their new spot for several calendar week , until they move in to theirforever home – your garden . Do n’t forget toharden offindoor seedlings before transplanting outside to prevent hurt and transplanting shock !
Here ’s a little demo picture :
