Not that tiny- I can't handle them then. But my rule of thumb is usually 2 sets of true leaves.

Karen

>> Not that tiny- I can't handle them then.
>> But my rule of thumb is usually 2 sets of true leaves.

That sounds good to me. At the rate these have grown so far ... maybe 2013?

But if they might grow faster in less-crowded pots, I think I should try to dig out 10-20% of each pot, and see how many micro-seedlings I can transplant into something else ... before all the roots become welded into one big ball.

I agree they're too small to handle, and I might kill half of those I dig out. But it took 5-6 months to get these little green Penstemon specks, and I'll try almost anything to encourage them to grow up.

Corey

can always try a diluted fertilizer

I do fertilize every 3rd or 4th watering, and use somewhat dilute fertilizer.

I don't know if I'm under or over fertilizing at this stage! They are certainly "seedlings" based on size and lack of true leaves. But they are 2-5 months old!

Oh, well: try several things and see which ones work.

Corey

I don't go crazy fertilizing when they are tiny.. just some compost tea usually

i use milk jugs with just a few seeds in them. This way I can leave the seedlings in them until they are really quite tall. Then I just take a shovelful of soil out of the garden and gently slip in the whole contents of the milk jug which is not overcrowded. Usually works well for me and it eliminates the transplanting step.

Got this going so far (perennials). Will probably double it soon with annuals.

Lookin' good, Teri.

Karen

good job Teri!!!

Teri--WOW! You were very ambitious. I was a slacker this year and did very little WS. I hope to be more productive when I start my annuals with this method. I think you've inspired me

Our weather forecast is looking promising for warm weather. If it holds true I should be able to start some annuals soon without much worry of frost. Hopefully within a couple of weeks. Last year was such a cold, cloudy, wet spring, but I'm holding hope of better this year. After all, we had a warm winter.

Karen

yes it is looking good