[darthpaul]

First proper attempt at growing my own this year! I have loads of different seeds in seed module trays currently on windowsills under plastic lids. How big do I let plants get before potting on? Does it depend on each plant or is there a rule of thumb?

[Jodie A]

A lot depends on what you are growing, but as soon as they germinate, I suggest you take the lids of to prevent damping off.

[Loubs]

There isn't a rule of thumb. I pot them on as soon as I think I can do it without damaging them - when they first pop up they're a bit delicate. But leave it too long and the roots will get entangled and you'll have trouble separating them.

As Jodie says, as soon as they germinate best to remove the lids.

[Rangerkris]

I thought most go for the first true leave's i might be wrong tho.

[flitwickone]

true leaves? whats them

[mumofstig]

The first lot of leaves are seedling leaves and usually look very different from the leaves on the actual plant.

The 2nd lot of leaves are 'true leaves' in other words they have the grown up shape to them

This is easily seen on tomato seedlings. The first leaves are smooth edged and a bit pointed, whereas the next lot of leaves are deeply devided and look like proper tomato leaves 

[darthpaul]

Ok lids are off, courgette plants are looking favourite for repotting first as they look big compared to everything else! Better go get some 3" pots!

[Kristen]

I think its early for Courgette plants.  You might be favoured in Bristol, but I'm not sowing mine for another couple of weeks. Don't be in a rush to plant them out - they hate the cold and just "stall", so pot them on and keep them "warm" as long as you can.

(i.e. put them out during the day when they are big enough, and the weather is mild, but bring them in at night until you are well past the last frost (for me in Suffolk I work to 1st June plant out date, although we haven't had any/many frosts in May for many-a-year.

BUT ... courgettes grow very big seedlings, very quickly, so will need potting on promptly, so you are on the right track

[darthpaul]

Well its my first go at growing seeds so was bound to make mistakes. There is a pic of my seedlings in my garden blog below in my sig. Think I need to plant courgettes up this weekend but thanks for the tip on keeping them warm

[sclarke624]

Everyone said I was really early last year but they were fine, they were in anyway, outdoors, and weren't gonna take them out. I wouldn't do it that early again though, didn't know any better then.  I put a plastic bottle cloche over them.  Having said that it is colder at night than last year I think.

[darthpaul]

Potted up the courgettes and stuck them in front of my south facing patio door at the mo

Do I need to support the plants as they are very floppy at the mo!