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Help with Carnation Seedlings please

david7byedavid7bye Posts: 8
in Plants
Hello everyone

I am new here to this forum and I hope someone can help please.

About 10 days ago, I sowed some Choice Double Mixed Carnation seeds (Dianthus Caryophyllus) in a Windowsill propagator. The seedlings have germinated and have leaves. There are about 3 seedlings that have 3 leaves on them.

I am quite new to gardening. I started a Garden Maintenance course recently. I have not sown seeds before.

On the packet, it said seedlings usually appear within 14-28 days. On another website, it said I should prick the seedlings out when they have 3-4 true leaves.

Please can someone help me, as I don't know if it is too soon to prick them out or not.

I have attached a photo.

Thanks for reading my message.

Best wishes
David
 


Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I'd leave them a bit longer.  Some of them have only got the seed leaves (the first pair). The true leaves are the ones that come after that first pair, so some of your babies have one or two true leaves but I can't see any with four.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • david7byedavid7bye Posts: 8
    edited February 2019
    Hi JennyJ 

    Thanks very much for your advice. I thought it might be too soon, but because they are getting quite long, I wasn't sure. I covered them until they germinated, and then took off the cover.  I have them on a bright windowsill now and keep the compost moist. I hope this is ok.

    I will check them in another week and put an update.

    Best wishes 

    David :)
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Hi David  - They need light more than heat now they've germinated, so a bright windowsill in a cool room if possible and try and keep the compost just damp, you don't want it wet, Dianthus like very good drainage.
    Whilst they only have the seed leaves, as Jenny says they should not be touched. At this time they usually only have a single root and if you damage that, it's game over. Once they have a pair of true leaves you can be sure the root will have branched and won't be so delicate, then you can transplant them.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    The length is because the light is only from one direction, and there's not so much of it this early in the year.  I raise all my tender seeds on the windowsills indoors and the same thing happens.  A sheet of card covered in foil stood up vertically behind the tray to act as a reflector helps a bit.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • david7byedavid7bye Posts: 8
    Hi JennyJ

    Thanks for your help.  I will do that and let you know when it has grown more.

    David 


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