Dave,

Many plants resent having their roots disturbed, and that is bound to happen if you dig a plant up in one part of the garden and move it to a different part of the garden, which is what is usually meant by the word "transplant". But the situation can be quite different in the context you specified, "...transplant from seedlings grown indoors."

For example, zinnias resent the root disturbance of ordinary transplanting, but my zinnias form a rootball in their indoor pots and I can remove that root ball from the pot and set it outdoors without disturbing the roots in any way. The roots merely find a much greater accessible volume of soil that they can expand into.

On the other hand, if the zinnia seedlings are growing together indoors in a seed flat such that moving them into the garden entails gouging or pricking the seedlings loose from the growing medium, then considerable root disturbance is unavoidable and the small plants resent that, and they can wilt and become stunted in growth at the very least. The roots of seedlings growing together in a common flat or pot become enmeshed and entangled in the same growing medium such that separating individual seedlings out is analogous to separating conjoined twins. Some plants, like tomatoes, will tolerate considerable root damage by rapidly growing new roots.

The trick is to grow one plant per pot and let the pot become somewhat rootbound to form a root ball that will drop out of the pot with essentially no disturbance to the roots within the rootball. Of course, you should promptly place the rootball in a hole in the garden, fill in soil around it, and water it in to avoid any "air pruning" of the roots.

ZM

Here is the link for them there newspaper pots. You have to scroll down a bit.

Hope it helps.

I've seen others use toilet paper rolls cut in half because they didn't have little pots. These might work as little pots, and the cardboard would be good for the garden worms?

Here is a link that might be useful: Jroot's newspaper pot linings.

The only one on your list that probably be the most difficult for me to transplant would be the poppy.But ive transplanted alot of seedlings.I even mark out a small circle in my flower bed where i will scatter some seeds of a pkg ,cover lightly with soil,pat down then transplant when they get their true leaves or a bit taller to their permanent spot in the bed.

I use California Poppy plants as a filler for my pots. I have pots of perennials, and I just sprinkle california poppy seeds in them. Then all I have to do is pluck out the seedlings that make the pot too crowded.

In this way I don't have to do any transplanting.

I've got a similar question. What annuals do best when sown as a seed directly where they are expected to grow? Thanks

Tom - more and more I just direct sow. I am not sure if it is best for these plants but it's fine and easy. California and other annual poppies, alyssum, zinnia, nasturtium, morning glory, nemophila. I also direct sow foxgloves and some perennials. For many of these I buy 1/4 oz packages and scatter around. Poppies seem to do best if sown as early as possible. Ideally I like to get them in before April here in z6.

I've found that some seeds just do better for me when they are direct sown. Poppies , nastutriums, california poppies and larkspur definitely. I've never tried clarkia, butterfly weed or lupines so I can't say. Sweet peas I never have luck with no matter what, unfortunately because they are so beautiful.

Iam702-do you soak the sweet peas overnight before you put them in the soil?