When should I plant these guys? I know it’s when they grow second leaves, but how big should the second leaves be? What if they are irregular like rattlesnake master or grasses? I’m pretty sure the rattlesnake master is good, but I’m not sure when to plant the other. The cuttings are ninebark and red osier dogwood, the buttonbush did not seem to take. The nine bark in soil has good size roots, the ones in water have leaves but are just starting to root. SW Ohio
by mbart3
4 Comments
Do you want to plant already in the garden?
Depends on the container you have them in. If the soil is 3 inches deep or more, wait for those second true leaves (the first leaves are not true leaves). If less than 3 inches you might want to start a bit earlier. Sorry, I misread, I am referring to potting up into individual pots, not planting out into the garden (riskier with tiny seedlings)
If those seedlings are rattlesnake masters, they have tap roots and don’t like being disturbed. Try transplanting some now and some after true leaves emerge.
as others said, it depends on taproots and of course some plants are sensitive to being transplanted. part of this process is the learning curve! i have started transplanting things into the ground and mine are roughly as far as yours, some have their first true leaves, others do not. for example, i started a unique milkweed local to my region, it had a very long taproot and no true leaves. i transplanted them to the ground however since a lot of my transplants are so young i have been using water bottles with their bottoms cut out to protect them so they don’t dry out or get pulled out by squirrels.