all the seeds in one cup ....

how big are they ...

and yes.. its probably time ... and put the larger pot in full shade for a week or two.. so the transplants can get settled.. before they go into full sun

next time.. try seeding them into the pot you want them in ....

ken

Ken,

Lots of people plant very small seeds heavily in a small container, and then pluck the individual seedlings out to transfer into a larger container once they've germinated. It can seem like a waste of steps, but some plants actually benefit from the disruption of their roots, tomatoes being the most common. It also saves space if you are expecting poor germination rates.

Sandra,

I would try leaving some of them alone and see what happens. Also, consider putting a fan near the seedlings, unless they are outdoors, to create some wind. Wind forces plants to grow stronger and deeper roots to keep them from falling over. I also wonder what the moisture level is in your small pot. If the roots are too wet, they may be growing toward the oxygen in the air. Definitely check back and let us know how things work out.

Martha

Ken-- Yes, they're all in one cup. I have several different types of seeds starting in different cups. I don't have a huge garden and unfortunately am unable to start all plants in there permanent spots. This is my first year growing snapdragons and I wasn't sure if they were going to sprout (planted cucumbers at the same time and had 0% germination :( ), so I didn't want to dedicate a lot of space to them until I knew for sure they were going to grow. Now that I know these seeds germinate well down here I'll probably sow the seeds directly into the pot I want to grow them in next time and thin any weak seedlings out. Thank for the advice!

Docmom-- I didn't realize that some plants actually benefit from having their roots disrupted (I guess that would explain why my recently transplanted tomatoes are doing so well). The seedlings are outside facing all the elements :) I just brought them into my patio area in order to give them a break from all the rain, and I've left three of the exposed root seedlings alone. Maybe they'll find their way back into the soil. The moisture level hasn't been too high when I've checked on them (I actually thought it was too dry once), but since they're growing outside and facing every rainstorm that comes by they're probably drowning in water at certain points. I'll update again later with pictures. Thanks for the help!

Do you know which other plants benefit from transplanting?

to learn.. the search for knowledge ... whatever works.. works.. and you learn ..

my point was .. not stated .. coffee buzz.. lol ... if your pack had 50 seeds.. next time.. just throw 10 of them in the pot you want them in.. AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS ...

one thing i learned way back ... when you try only one method.. with all your seed... if you fail.. thats it ...

then i thought.. why not try a couple versions ... so i might divide the seeds into thirds.. .33 in a cup... .33 in the pot.. and .33 straight into the garden.. and see if they pop up ... [of course i had a yard]...

and over a few years.. i found out.. which ones were not foo foo.. so hardy.. that they didnt need to be coddled in cups.. etc ...

and if i was wildly successful ... i learned to cull out... just kill .... any extras i had ... its a very hard lesson to learn .. lol ... but i led me to create the truism .... fear your success ...

ken

Ken-- Using cups to start seeds is actually one of my experiments/my version of seeing what happens since I've never used the seed starting cups method. I've only grown two other flowers from seed and I planted one in a permanent location and the other in a large pot that I used as a permanent spot for one plant and transplanted the others to other spots in my garden (celosia and marigolds). I decided to try this method to see if it worked well since I am trying many more varieties of plants. It's worked well for some and not so well for others. This method is also easier for me... limited time investment as I can plant many types of seeds at once and I've, so far, left them to the elements (barring the snapdragons that I've brought in ;)). Lol, I've been wildly successful with my lettuce and kale (just threw a bunch of seeds down into my garden beds) and the culling has started... but I've gotten delicious micro greens out of it :) Thanks for the additional feedback!

I don't know which other plants benefit from transplanting. I just know the tomato growers who post around here have commented that they proceed through a very purposeful schedule of potting up their tomato seedlings from one size cup to another until they are big enough to plant outdoors. Something about the irritation of the roots stimulates more roots to develop. They might also plant them deeper each time, which allows more roots to develop directly off the main stem. Here I sit with all this knowledge of tomato growth, but can't grow a single plant due to lack of sunshine in my yard. Ah, well. Once the kids are out of school we can switch to a smaller place with a sunnier yard.

Martha

If the roots aren't going down into the soil, you may have tamped the soil down too hard when filling the pot. Use a light touch next time. Gardening is always a learning experience, no matter how long we've been at it.

Have fun.

Susanzone5--- Thanks for the advice! My mom mentioned the same thing when she came over and looked at my seedlings.

I've transplanted the seedlings to their forever home (pretty pot) and they've been doing well. The roots found their way back into the soil.

Ken those Hosta seedlings have random areas of low or no chlorophyll tissue making them less vigorous and less healthy than plain green seedlings. I will happily relieve you of the burden of growing them if you would like to send them all to me LOL! Great batch of STREAKERS!!