Embarrassing seedling question
By Debbiepugh
Cambridgeshire,
United Kingdom 
This may seem like a very silly question to those of you who are expers and very experienced, but this is my first year of growing things from seed in a propogator. My tomato seeds have all germinated beautifully and are going great guns. So I am thinking about potting them on - now we get to the embarrassing part. When I am potting them on, how deep should I plant them? What I'm saying is, should I plant them with the leaves just above the soil, or should I still leave the long thin stalk above the soil. Please don't laugh - I have lots of other seedlings that will soon be ready to pot on, and I don't want to ruin my hard work by potting them on incorrectly!!
Debbie
19 Feb, 2009
Answers
High debbie, I tend to keep seedlings at the same depth so they develop the root run and avoid stem rot. when the toms are older you will find 'bumps' on the stem near the compost surface. these can become roots so bury these as you pot on. I dont tend to pot new seedlings on until there are 4 true leaves plus the seed leaves. keep as much compost on the sedlings as possible to prevent root damage. enjoy the growing experience, its as close to magic as possible.
19 Feb, 2009
Dont be embarrased Debbie...........we all started at the beginning just the same as you... I usually leave about a good inch about the compost, but be very gentle with the roots............
19 Feb, 2009
Thank you all of you, will let you know how I get on.
Debbie
19 Feb, 2009
mine have grown a little leggy (3 inches high in places) so i will be taking Owdboggys advise and planting the a bit deeper.
19 Feb, 2009
Hi, I agree with Owdboggy. I set my tomato seedlings as deep as possible so as to bury those little hairy stems.
19 Feb, 2009
hi debbie i have planted a few seeds on kitchen window i found that a propergator to warm and plants bolt.-When reachinga size of 2""plant them in a 4"pot up to the leaves.waiit till plant is about 8"then put in a grow bag 3 to a bag TAKE all side shoots off except top 2 plant up to about an 4"of leaves and stake keep well watered and not to hot to burn hope it helps, bigalfie. ps make sure NO frost.
20 Feb, 2009
HI DEBBIE dont feel embarrased i ask alote of questions that i feel there silly but thats how you learn there a great bunch of people on here
21 Feb, 2009
With tomoato seedlings we alway pot them up so that the seed leaves are just above the soil. Other plants should be potted on with the stem clear of the soil. Lettuce seedling especially die if potted deeply.
The rule is that if a plant is the kind which develops roots from the stem then you pot them deeply, but if you do not know then do not bury the stem.
19 Feb, 2009