When it comes to growing plants from seeds, pricking is often mentioned. Behind this is a significant measure that influences the further growth of the plants. Only the strongest specimens should be isolated.
Flowers are pricked too
Why pricking is important
Seedlings are increasingly competing for nutrients and light in the seed tray. Due to the separation, there is no competitive pressure and the young plants grow slowly and compactly. So that they develop a dense root system and do not tend to shoot, you should continue to use potting soil or seed soil. When the plantlets have developed a pair of regular true leaves above the cotyledons, these can be separated. Depending on the species, this is the case after seven days or two weeks.
Utensils needed
Pricking requires a lot of finesse. To make the work easier, you should use tools. The young plants are extremely fragile and are easily damaged by too much pressure between the fingers. You can either get the right equipment from a garden store or improvise with existing household materials.
What you need:
- Pots with a drainage hole or yoghurt pots
- Prick stick, chopsticks, popsicle stick, shish kebab stick or pencil
- Plant shower or converted PET bottle
method
After you have filled the new planters with soil and moistened them slightly, take a pricking stick or pen and pierce the substrate with the tip on the side of the seedling. Carefully lever the individual plants or a whole group out of the ground and make sure that as few roots as possible tear off. So that the sensitive seedlings do not dry out, you should temporarily store them on a damp kitchen towel.
tips
You may shorten very long main roots with your fingernail. This stimulates root growth and prevents the roots from bending upwards when planted.
Drill a deep hole in the substrate with the stick and insert a young plant. If you have too many plants, you should only use the strong specimens. Too weak seedlings are a delicious topping, provided they are edible vegetables. Gently press down the substrate and water the pots with the plant shower.