Pricking out Petunias

[Deleted]

I am looking for some advice please, (after years and years for one reason or another I have been away from gardening. At last time and situation allow me to get back to it). But I have become overwhelmed with lots of tiny seedlings and need some guidance. There are a lot of tiny Petunia seedlings, how and when do I start pricking these out? any tips will be most welcome and I thank you in advance. If this has been asked already, my apologies, I have lurked on the site, but do not know my way round it yet.

jxx

[Rosefriend]

Hi Coccinelle - I haven't done petunias for a few years now - if the truth be known I found them too fiddly.

I would prick the first ones out when they have their first true leaf, leaving the others for a later day. I would also pinch out the tip after the 2/3 set of leaves - the plant will be a lot bushier. I remember mine went a big leggy until I started pinching them out.

Let us know how you managed...who knows I might do them again next year!!

RF

[andy]

The usual "rule of thumb" is to prick out the plants when they are big enough to handle comfortably. This will obviously vary with differtent species for example, marigolds can be pricked out the day they germinate whilst petunias, begonias and other smaller seeds can take weeks.

Hold the seedling by the leaf (not the stem) and gently prize out the roots with a dibber. Put it in the new pot or tray and do not firm....let the water do that. Then water with a can and rose allowing the water to settle the soil around the roots and firm the compost a little.

Good luck....i'll be doing my petunias today too.

[Deleted]

Thank you both I will show you the end resultl - watch this space

jxx