Perlite for transplants

angelique · February 12, 2007

I am a little confused. Once my seeds have their first true leaves should I upsize them to larger pots (4x4") filled with a seed starting mix?

I ask because a couple of my tomato plants have their first set of leaves (Latah and New Big DWARF). I started them in seed starting mix from a local nursery. I have a large bag of perlite (1/2 a 4 cu ft bag). I want to know if it would be possible to fill the 4" sq pots with the perlite, then relocate the seedlings with the original starting mix into the perlite filled pots.

Any advice either way would be great. I want to make sure that I do what is best for the transplants.

Thanks.

Angelique

Worth1 · February 12, 2007

I wouldn’t put them I strait perlite, I would use a good potting soil not he cheep stuff that is mostly pine bark.
Just my opinion as I don’t bother with continuously repotting plants and put them directly in the garden.

I then protect them from cut worms by putting a tin can with both ends cut out over them.

Worth

angelique · February 12, 2007

Thanks Worth.

I made the mistake of starting 5 seeds of each variety in 12 oz cups. Maybe next year, I'll plant my seeds directly into 4" pots.

February 12, 2007	#1
angelique Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rocklin, California Posts: 501	Perlite for transplants I am a little confused. Once my seeds have their first true leaves should I upsize them to larger pots (4x4") filled with a seed starting mix? I ask because a couple of my tomato plants have their first set of leaves (Latah and New Big DWARF). I started them in seed starting mix from a local nursery. I have a large bag of perlite (1/2 a 4 cu ft bag). I want to know if it would be possible to fill the 4" sq pots with the perlite, then relocate the seedlings with the original starting mix into the perlite filled pots. Any advice either way would be great. I want to make sure that I do what is best for the transplants. Thanks. Angelique

February 12, 2007	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I wouldn’t put them I strait perlite, I would use a good potting soil not he cheep stuff that is mostly pine bark. Just my opinion as I don’t bother with continuously repotting plants and put them directly in the garden. I then protect them from cut worms by putting a tin can with both ends cut out over them. Worth

February 12, 2007	#3
angelique Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rocklin, California Posts: 501	Thanks Worth. I made the mistake of starting 5 seeds of each variety in 12 oz cups. Maybe next year, I'll plant my seeds directly into 4" pots.