what to do with seedlings 3-4 weeks old?

[gothnurse3]

I am very new to gardening. All of my seeds sprouted but 2.I planted a bunch of stuff inside. Our last frost date is end of March. My tomatoes and peppers have multiple plants in each peat moss cup. There are 4-5 in each cup all custered in the middle. Do I leave them like this or am I supposted to pinch off some of them? Please help a newbie. Thanks

[FarmerCathy]

Hi gothnurse3,

Yes, pinch off the largest and smallest and leave the healthiest medium sized plant in each. You will need to transplant them into bigger pots. Wait until they have thier second set of leaves if they don't have them already before transplanting. This is what I'm using this year. It's cheap and easy.

http://farminginsuburbia.blogspot.co...ot-making.html

http://farminginsuburbia.blogspot.co...ot-making.html

Put a fan on them or pet them to keep them strong and from going spindly too.

[geogal17]

great idea using newpaper pots! But I'm confused, do you tape them or anything to keep them from unrolling? how many sheets of newspaper is that per pot?

how long can you keep your seedlings indoors on those before they get too soggy and fall apart? I have some peppers and tomatos that are just about rootbound in their seed trays but I didn't want to go out and buy seedling pots.


EDIT: not sure if this is the same technique you use but I got curious, googled newspaper pots and found this how to video:
http://www.ehow.com/video_1745_creat...-starting.html

[gothnurse3]

Thank you so much.

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by geogal17

great idea using newpaper pots! But I'm confused, do you tape them or anything to keep them from unrolling? how many sheets of newspaper is that per pot?

how long can you keep your seedlings indoors on those before they get too soggy and fall apart? I have some peppers and tomatos that are just about rootbound in their seed trays but I didn't want to go out and buy seedling pots.


EDIT: not sure if this is the same technique you use but I got curious, googled newspaper pots and found this how to video:
http://www.ehow.com/video_1745_creat...-starting.html

Yes, I use one piece of tape for the bottom. Once you put soil and water them they won't come apart. One full size sheet. 4 weeks is the most I'm told. This is my first year using them and so far I really like them.

[FarmerCathy]

Yeah, I've seen that video before. They may stay together longer folded like that. I like the method I use because there is more room for roots since its bigger and I don't plan to have them in the pots more than 4 weeks.

[ElliesMomma]

thank you for the video link. i'm in illinois so i am just starting my peat seeds. i will be ready for this by april 1. thanks again.