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Repotting very young seedlings

 
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A couple years ago I discovered soil blocks. I'm not very good at making the blocks, and have given up on them except for starting small seeds.  I have found the 3/4 soil blocker uses a very small amount of soil, and is great at starting even difficult seeds. It's really been a game changer for me. That being said my blocks don't always hold together. Rather than stress about that, or worry about buying special blocking soil I kind of embrace it.  This is not a how to, or even it works for me, because I'm still in the experimental stage.
Shorty after the seedlings pop up I fill a 2" pot with 1/2 organic compost, and 1/2 organic potting soil the same mix I use for the blocks, except I don't sift it for the pot. I use the handle of a spoon and pop the block out. If it stays together that's fine, if it doesn't, that's ok too. I pot the brand new seedling in a pot with up to 4 other.
Last year I would try to move the block intact to a tray under the grow light until it had at least 2 to 4 true leaves. This was difficult. Not only to move the block without it falling apart, but keeping it wet enough without over watering it (also makes it fall apart).
I don't put the original tray under the grow light because a lot of seeds germinate at a different pace.   So the fast ones don't get laggy, and the slow ones can stay on the heat mat.
I have done 3 plantings so far. Nothing has died. I don't know if this will stunt the growth, but time will tell.  If they continue to grow, I will repot them once they have 2 to 4 true leaves. 1 to 2 seedlings in a 2" or 3" pot depending on the plant, and when I think I will be able to put it in the garden. I hope it works. It will enable me to start a lot of different seeds at the same time, giving them a chance to grow at their own pace.
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Jen Fulkerson
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So far so good. I don't think anything has been stunted by this process. It's hard to tell, because I have a drafty old house, so seedlings grow slowly even in the house. It seems to me like everything is progressing nicely.
I also have 2 ghost pepper, habanero, habanada, cayenne, poblano and several lemon balm that sprouted. I would have missed out on these plants if I hadn't given them more time.
We will see how everything does, but it seems like a good process so far.
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