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You should transplant lettuce outside after it has grown undercover for 4-6 weeks, and reached the height of 2-3 inches. The earliest time to do this is 3-4 weeks before the last frost, but you can transplant lettuce any time after that. Allow for 7-10 days of hardening off before moving outside.
When should you transplant lettuce seedlings?
Lettuce should be transplanted when the plants are between 2-3 inches tall. You should harden off your lettuce plants 7-10 days before transplanting.If you’re growing a heading variety you may want to consider starting your lettuce indoors and transplanting seedlings out. Better germination. No wasted space. More time.
When can I transplant seedlings outside?
You can start to harden off your seedlings once they’ve grown at least two to three sets of leaves. At that point, they’re mature enough to move outside. About 7 to 10 days before your seedlings are ready to be transplanted, take them outside and leave them in the shade for a few hours in the morning or afternoon.
How do you transplant lettuce seedlings to bigger pots?
Gently dig the seedlings up from their original container using a popsicle stick, pencil or other improvised tool. Handle the seedlings only by their leaves, never by their stems. Plant them into their new containers deeper than they were growing, gently firming the growing media around their roots.
When can I direct sow lettuce?
Lettuce prefers cool weather and will tolerate frost once established. Direct sow seeds as soon as the ground can be worked.
Why are my lettuce seedlings falling over?
Causes of Lettuce Damping Off Too much moisture is the most common cause of damping off, as it makes seedlings much more susceptible to stem and root infections. Damping off usually a sign that you are overwatering or that the humidity is too high. The youngest seedlings are the most vulnerable to damping off.
What happens if you transplant seedlings too early?
What happens if you transplant seedlings too early? If they are transplanted too early, seedlings are at a much greater risk of dying from a late spring cold snap. Even hardy starts will likely die if the temperature goes below freezing for any length of time.
What process is done 7 to 15 days before transplanting?
Start by watering the plants thoroughly. Then, 7 to 10 days before transplanting, set the seedlings outdoors in dappled shade that is protected from wind for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their exposure to full sun and windy conditions.
How and when do you pull seedlings for transplanting?
To pull seedlings from seedbeds for transplanting: Hold two or three rice seedlings between thumb and index finger. Position the index finger perpendicular, and the thumb parallel to the seedlings. Exert a little pressure downwards before slowly pulling seedling towards you.
How long can seedlings stay in trays?
Seedlings otherwise can become root-bound if not given adequate space for the roots. Typically, after sowing the seeds, the cell trays are used for around 3-4 weeks before transplanting occurs – whether it be to an outdoor plot or into a larger container.
Does lettuce need full sun?
The ideal lettuce growing location for spring and fall is in a spot that receives full sun. If you plan on growing lettuce during the summer or in warm planting zones, partial shade can provide protection from the heat.
What preparation must be done before transplanting the seedlings?
Broadcast pre-germinated seeds in thoroughly puddled and leveled soil. Construct drainage canals for proper water removal. Add organic manure (decompose) and a small amount of inorganic fertilizer as basal dressing. This increases seed vigor and allows easier uprooting for transplanting.
When should you repot a seedling?
The ideal time for transplanting your seedlings is about 3 weeks after they sprout or when you have 1-2 sets of true leaves. It’s better to get them in new containers before they start to show the signs of stress listed below.
At what point do you transplant seedlings to bigger pots?
After 6 to 8 weeks under the grow lights, many of the seedlings need to be repotted into larger containers to ensure continued healthy growth until it’s time to move them into the garden.
Can romaine lettuce be transplanted?
Romaine seedlings can withstand frost and can be transplanted into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. Fall crops can be directly seeded into the garden during late summer. Mature lettuce is not frost-tolerant.
Which is better transplanting or direct seeding?
Direct seeded crops require less labor and tend to mature faster than transplanted crops. In this method, plants are not subjected to stresses such as being pulled from the soil and re-establishing fine rootlets. However, they have more competition from weeds.
Should I thin lettuce seedlings?
You should only have to thin your seedlings once, but if you have a lot of extra plants growing you can split it into two occasions. For example, if your plants need to be 12 inches apart, the first time you can thin every 6 inches. Then a week later you can thin them out again to all be 12 inches apart.
Will leggy lettuce seedlings survive?
Tomato, zucchini, broccoli, kale, lettuce, and beet seedlings tend to get leggy because they’re started in spring when daylight is still limited. The good news is, leggy seedlings can usually be fixed before it’s too late.
