- 1). Monitor the growing seedlings. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, usually when they have produced their second pair of leaves, they can be pricked out. This means transplanting them, either into individual pots or into trays, with plenty of space to allow them to grow. Do not let the seedlings grow too big before doing this or they may become drawn through overcrowding.
- 2). Water the plants several hours before pricking out. Half-fill a pot with a good quality potting compost soil mix, then remove the seedlings from their pot.
- 3). Remove the plant by the root ball. Rather than trying to dig them out, remove the whole root ball. This is easier and is less likely to damage the roots.
- 4). Plant the seedling. Holding a seedling by one of its lower leaves, suspend it in the pot and carefully trickle more compost around the roots. Gently firm the compost around the roots. The final soil level around the seedling should be the same as it was in the original pot or tray.
- 5). Tap the pot gently on the table to settle the compost around the seedling and water carefully.
- 6). Water from below by standing the pot in water until the surface is moist. This will avoid disturbing the seedling.
- 7). Move the seedling into separate containers. Plant seedlings in trays, fill with compost, firm down gently and make holes with your finger or a dibber. Insert the plants, firming the compost gently around them and water from below.
- 8). Label the individual pots. It is important to label the pots once the seedlings have been pricked out, especially if there are several different colors of the same plant.