started some seeds in jiffy pellets, 10 days now 1" seedlings, time to transplant?

[built2spill]

Things that I'm thinking...

I've never had a plant stressed and jump gender.

Starting in a small pot and transferring to larger is very common, it also keeps the root ball tighter. If a plant is started in a large container, the roots go straight down and then curl up the sides of the container.

My favorite way of testing the pH of soil is to check the run off. I like using apple cider to get the pH down.

When transferring outside, not a bad idea to bring them in at night at first. You want your plants to climatize. I've seen plants growing great in the shade of a tree, when moved to full sun they got burned.

Good point Notrealname about the root system and it's growth pattern. The tap root will grow deep and faster than the rest of the root system. However every transplant does stunt a plants growth so it is best to keep transplanting to a minimum.

Kicked your plants are just going through that transplant shock and you should expect it to last approx. 7-10 days, and even over 2 weeks until vigerous veg growth continues. Your plants will be fine just give them time.

your water ph is great and soil is just a little low. You don't want it any lower than 6 so stay away from the vinegar, as Notrealname stated that is for lowering your ph and you don't want to do that.

Sounds like your watering just fine. Slightly damp but not wet is good. Overwatering can cause root rot by starving the roots of oxygen. As long as your soil drains well you'll be fine.

[lipps]

Yes, thanks very much. I realized a couple of things... The larger of the seedlings IS growing, just slowly. I think that is fine, because I read during the first two weeks the plant is mainly growing its root system. Also I read out of a pack of seeds, some plants won't thrive and need to be culled. Also, I realized I could put them 2-4 inches below the bulb. Considering I have had these seeds laying around for a few years, I guess I'm lucky I got one decent one. I am soaking the remaining 5 in water, but I don't have high hopes of viability nor virility.

I do have a question about seedling watering. OK, now the seedlings are about 1 week old (not including germination). I have read too much water is bad, and not to over-water, yet also not to let them dry out too much. OK, fine, but how to judge in these small pots? Should the top of the soil look dry?

Actually I happen to have a cheap moisture meter for gardening, it has reading numbers 1 through 4, with 4 being wet and 1 dry. Tomatoes are listed at 4, meaning one should water when the dial gets below 4. The instructions are to insert the device half way between the stem and edge of pot, then stick it in about 2/3 of the way down into the soil. Now my Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil feels slightly damp, but not wet.

However, I am not sure how to use this in my situation, if at all. Has anyone used these for testing seedling moisture in small (2.5 inch) pots?

Oh, and I have a digital PH tester from the same company. Pretty cheap. It sometimes reads 7 when turned on, other times 6 or 6.5. Not very accurate. It says at watering to stick it in the soil for a reading after turning it on. The soil is about 6 I guess, if the meter is working correctly. I guess I could have mixed it with a bit of something to raise the PH a bit, but too late now.

You guys add more Perlite to the FFOF by the way?

Thanks for any input.

kicked

On the water the soil needs to have room for air it needs too be " fluffy" if there are big chunks of bark and wood chips that's bad. The easy way to water a small pot is with a sprayer that way if the top is drying out you can mist it to keep the soil uniformly moist, watering a seedling until the water runs out the bottom is not good because there are no roots to use the water. The meter you have will give a better reading if you take some soil put it in you hand place the probe so it is covered, close your hand and squeeze the air and any moisture out wait a minute and see what it say. 6.5 to 6.8 is fine if you need to lower it vitamin C works great and it helps a weak plant get its mojo back.

[Notrealname]

Apple cider vinegar, organic
molasses w/o sulfer

Also, if a clone, it won't have any tap root... it'll fall over easier. If you compare stems of indoor vs outdoor, when you cut them, you'll find the outdoor is much thicker walled, much sturdier.