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Should I thin out these lobelia seedlings?

omghiomg_123omghiomg_123 Posts: 96
in Problem solving
I may have sown these a little too thickly! Should I thin them or let them grow on a bit first? If yes, how many seedlings should I leave?

thanks 

Posts

  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    Believe you need to group these together, maybe about 5 - 7 in a clump. In the past I've clumped/transplanted them together at this stage, just in case the roots get tangled. 
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I don't bother thinning or even pricking out lobelia. I sow them in plugs like yours and just let the whole lot grow. I think I sow a little more thinly though so with yours I might try to nip out some from the thicker areas with either my fingernails or sharp pointy scissors.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • omghiomg_123omghiomg_123 Posts: 96
    @Jenny_Aster @JennyJ Ok thanks both for your help. So I’ll thin slightly the very thick areas, then I’ll leave them to get a big bigger. Maybe then I’ll divide them when potting on if needed? 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    As they’ve only just got their seeds leaves,  I wouldn’t prick them out for a few weeks yet. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • omghiomg_123omghiomg_123 Posts: 96
    @lyn No I won’t prick them out until they have true leaves. But I will thin the thick areas slightly just to reduce competition 
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Tweezers are great for thinning out seedlings. You can target the weakest with accuracy.
  • omghiomg_123omghiomg_123 Posts: 96
    @Ceres Yes I was thinking tweezers would be perfect for the job! 😄
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