The seeds do not actually need fertilizer for the first few weeks of their life. No, seeds do not germinate faster with fertilizer than without. FAQs Do seeds germinate faster if fertilizer is applied? You can over-fertilize plants and seedlings and too much fertilizer can cause unwanted straggly and unhealthy growth, or ultimately result in a salt build-up around the plant’s roots - which can cause the plant to shrivel up and die. An example of a slow-release granular fertilizer is the Miracle-Gro Shake 'n Feed All Purpose Plant Food available at Amazon. Try to ensure that no granules touch the stems or roots of the plant, as it could burn the plant’s tissue. However, many are slow-release and will only require one application until the plant is large enough to be planted out in the yard in a flower bed, vegetable garden, or as part of a container garden. Granular fertilizers take longer to break down and therefore do not have the nutrients available to the plants as instantly as liquid ones. An example of a liquid fertilizer is the FoxFarm Liquid Plant Food available at Walmart. When using a liquid feed, it is advised to never apply it to seedlings at full-strength - always dilute it down. You can use either liquid or granular fertilizers to feed seedlings, but never apply fertilizer at a rate higher than recommended on the container. It is best to opt for a balanced fertilizer or one with a higher ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus. At this stage of the seedling’s life, nitrogen is also very important. Immature plants need more phosphorus than older ones and the nutrient is important when it comes to ensuring young plants are healthy. So, even though it can be really hard, it’s very important to learn how to thin out your seedlings.Seedlings want a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus, which is the nutrient that is responsible for strong root growth and helps with photosynthesis. But proper spacing is crucial for growing healthy plants. Thinning seedlings is a necessary evil when they become overcrowded. If you can’t stomach the thought of killing them in this way, then make sure you properly space the seeds next time you plant them. If you try to separate them, rather than pruning out the weakest ones, you risk killing them all. Unfortunately, there’s no way to properly thin seedlings without killing them. How do you thin seedlings without killing them? But don’t wait too long, or overcrowding could begin to stunt their growth. That way, you’ll know which ones have successfully unfurled. It’s usually best to wait until seedlings have their first set of true leaves before thinning them. However, you can use the edible ones as microgreens, they are delicious in salads! How big should seedlings be before thinning? After cutting them off at the base, they will eventually die. No, unfortunately you cannot replant thinned out seedlings. If you still have a question after reading through these, then ask it in the comments below. In this section, I will answer some of the most commonly asked questions that I get about thinning seedlings. Overcrowded seedlings before thinning FAQs To do that, simply dip them into rubbing alcohol, or wash them with soapy water. Also, be sure to disinfect the blades first. So I recommend using a small micro-tip snip or bonsai shears for precision cuts. Use the right tool – Regular pruning shears are way too big and clumsy to use for this delicate job, and it’s easy to accidentally damage the other seedlings in the process. If they’re all the same size, then just pick the one that looks the best. To pick the strongest, look for the one that is the most compact, and has the thickest stem. Decide which ones to cut out – Choose the strongest seedling in the bunch to keep, and then thin out the rest. Here are the simple step by step instructions… I included lots of pictures because I’m a visual learner, and some of you probably are too. So, I thought I’d break it down into simple steps for you to follow. Sometimes it can be tough to visualize how to thin seedlings correctly. Thinning crowded seedlings indoors How To Thin Seedlings Step-By-Step
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