Can you see the roots in the bottom? I usually go by that or one or two true leaves.

No, no roots in the bottom. I think I have to accept that they won't be ready for a bit. I just wanted to use the greenhouse for additional seedlings. They sprouted incredibly quickly, then sort of stopped. I think the first true leaves are on the way - patience is required at this point.

thanks heathen

I've found that if you start seeds too soon for their season they do just that...sprout readily and then sit.

I'm wishing you well in your herb garden!
I have no luck with container-grown herbs but I am constantly dealing with an overabundance in my herb garden!

I have the same problem, I live in Northern Virginia and it's not warm enought to put them out yet. I used Jiffy pots as well, so much easier for a beginner! I have a nother question, how many plats do you put in a pot and when do you seperate your seedlings? I put too many in each Jiffy Pot and now it's way over crowded, do I just pick out the smallest ones? I have 6 amd 8 inch pots I ultimately wantt hem to go into. Thanks!

you practice the awful planticide habit called "thinning" pinching most of the plants.... I don't like it, but ya gotta do it.

Phoenix, I hate that part, too. I've been cutting the "extras" with nail scissors (they're tiny still). I didn't use the actual "pots", just the roughly fifty-cent piece size peat starters in "mini" green houses. So I needed to cut down fairly quickly to increase growing space.

I did actually move the biggest ones to the jiffy "pots" today, to allow space in the little green house to start new seedlings. I don't want to invest in a ton of 4" pots just as intermediary to larger pots! And now that I've read how I should actually BUY most of my herbs, I might have to dump most of them, anyway!

(it was still fun, and that's the point at this time of year!!)

cheers!

I harvested Basil seeds from my basil plant last year, I dropped 15-20 into a 3" pot full of miracle gro and covered it until they Germinated.
Once they had their true leaves I let them dry out a tad and this morning I seperated each of them into their own little Peat Pots.
I should know within a couple of days or so how that worked for me, they look fantastic!
Kept them out of direct light today will give them a bit tomorrow, and the next day abit more, then back to a full watering and lighting schedule.
I am hoping next week they will be ready to give to friends and co workers that want some Sweet Basil :))

How tall were they as you seperate them into their own peat pots? I'd be afraid to try unless they were a certain size... good luck with that! My basil is still what's doing best, hooray!

March 8th before seperating
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March 8th after seperating
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March 12th all seems well, lost two small ones
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Another pot separated and potted up March 12th
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They are fairly small but they do have true leaves (except the two that I lost.
I believe that once they have their true leaves they can withstand the trauma of being seperated (having a few roots torn) and potted up )

I'll try to remember to let you know how they are doing in a week or two ))

I gave one plant away already this morning )

UPDATE: I think it was a success, I took these the 21st, most of them have new homes now with co-workers and friends )

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Glad to see your basil is doing well. My babies look like your March 8 pictures. Just how many plants of basil did you wind up with? Get ready to make pesto!

Great pictures and so much help, thanks. What did you put in the cups to transfer the herbs?