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Seedlings dying after potting

Deveshmittal.deveshDeveshmittal.devesh Posts: 59
in Plants
Hi all, I have been doing seeds on a tray with water. They grow into seedlings real nice. But when I transfer them into pots they all seem to be dying in a few days. I am super careful about the roots. There is no overwatering. Have tried two different locations. There is no draft. 

Could it be something with the soil? Or other ideas?

Thanks

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Posts

  • Deveshmittal.deveshDeveshmittal.devesh Posts: 59
    I have been trying to grow courgettes, cucumbers, cucamelons, tomatoes and all of them have the same issue :(
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They aren't big enough to pot on. Those are only seed leaves those have  :)
    You need to wait until they have at least one set of good, true leaves. 
    They also look very very leggy, so perhaps there's not enough light. Most of those pots are far too big as well which also creates problems. They'll stay too wet most of the time.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    When you pot them on, make sure they are strong, plant them a bit deeper in fortified compost, and support them/let them lean on sticks until they find their own feet. 
    I wish I could garden all year round!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2023
    As @Fairygirl has said those seedlings are etiolated because they’ve not had enough light. They are unlikely to survive. 

    I would start again. 

    If you’re going to prick out such small seedlings they need very careful handling and planting deep as shown here. 

    Prick out into trays or trays of small modules similar to these 
    https://containerwise.co.uk/charles-dowding-propagation-trays/

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    edited May 2023
    I'm thinking that if you're germinating on a water tray, you might be better to transfer onto modules or very small pots as soon as you see first signs of germination, very very carefully using tweezers or a tiny tiny spoon, holding the seed only, not the emerging shoot - put the seedling on the top of compost, then a very light sprinkle of compost on top.
    To be honest the only plants I might start off on a water tray are those with very large seeds that I'm unsure of germination rates (for example my dodgy crop of chick peas that have randomly been in the fridge over winter).
    ...you need to be super careful with the stems as well as the roots...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd assumed the OP had meant a tray of seedlings and put in a tray of water rather than overhead watering - perhaps I've misunderstood @StephenSouthwest?
    In any case - they're too small to have been moved, the pots are far too big, and yes - it would be better to start again. 

    I sow in trays or pots, then prick out individually into pots around 2 to 3 inches if I'm doing individual plants. Some plants are fine, and often better, done in clumps.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    @Fairygirl is right. The seedlings are too small. You have to wait until they have their real leaves, not just the 2 seedling leaves. Then transplant into pots, smaller than those, holding them by a leaf, not the stem, into damp compost. Water them but don't sit the pots in water or they will rot.

    Also, as has been said, those seedlings haven't had enough light, makes them grow tall and skinny. Some plants, such as tomatoes can be planted deeper, burying some of the stem, when transplanting, but they have to be considerably bigger than yours to do that.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • CatDouchCatDouch Posts: 488
    Just repeating what everyone else has said @Deveshmittal.devesh  Here’s a photo of my tomato seedlings which I potted on yesterday, this shows the true leaves which they need to have before potting on. I’ve planted them deep, right up to the seed leaves which should promote root growth.  Hope that helps 😄


    South Devon 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    When people say "handle them carefully" we mean only hold/touch the seed leaves. As they should have got a pair of true leaves by the time you prick them out, it doesn't matter too much if you damage a seed leaf. Support the roots with as much compost as you can manage with a dibber/pencil/chopstick/teaspoon/whatever utensil works for you, and NEVER EVER TOUCH THE STEM which is very easily damaged and once that's done, the seedling is doomed.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Deveshmittal.deveshDeveshmittal.devesh Posts: 59
    Thank you all for the feedback and great points. Any of you have a picture of the seed water tray you use, so that I get an idea of the best way to do this? 
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