Transplanting-How Deep?

About a month ago or so I planted a bunch of herb seeds and the last couple of weeks they have really flourished and are doing great. The basil, thyme and rosemary are very leggy though so I would like to up-pot them and bury them alittle deeper to help give them some better support.

How deep can I go with them? Do the bottom leaves need to stay exposed or would it be okay to bury them?

I wouldn't plant the leaves in the soil; that would increase chances you'll get a fungal issue that will kill the seedlings.

I'm curious about the leggy condition of all these plants though...is it possible they haven't been getting enough sunlight, or the lamp (if that's what you're using) is too far away from the seed tray?

givvmistamps wrote:I wouldn't plant the leaves in the soil; that would increase chances you'll get a fungal issue that will kill the seedlings.

I'm curious about the leggy condition of all these plants though...is it possible they haven't been getting enough sunlight, or the lamp (if that's what you're using) is too far away from the seed tray?

It is entirely possible that they aren't getting enough light. I don't have any lights so I put them in the sunniest place in my house which is a west facing window but it gets a lot of light through out the day and some great direct sunlight after about 2pm until sundown.

Once it starts staying alittle warmer a night I can start leaving them outside but its to cool at night right now. Is there anything I can do in the mean time to help them out? I plan on staking them today to hold them up but that still won't do much for their leggyness.

Most houseplants are tropical plants that originally came from the
understory of tropical forests, therefore they developed to only need indirect light...but most vegetables are full-sun plants, which means they need 6-8 hours minimum of direct sunlight, probably closer to 8 right now in your neck of the country. A west-facing window may provide a few hours, but probably not enough. If it's warm enough during the day, I would put the seed trays outside in a sunny place protected from too much wind. Then bring them inside at night, especially if the temperatures will be dropping close to freezing. This will help you in the hardening off process you'll need to do anyway.

What herbs did you get, specifically? Basil comes in many forms; I have Spicy Globe basil, a more compact variety. Rosemary and some thymes will be perennial even where you live, and some thymes can grow quite large but be more sprawling than others

http://www.viddler.com/v/d62dc67b

camprn wrote:

http://www.viddler.com/v/d62dc67b

thank you that was awesome. Something she said bring up a question. She said that she clips the center off when she starts getting side shoots, How far down can/should I clip my basil plant? He is about 6" tall but very leggy and falling over.

I'm not sure about transplanting herbs deeper. I buy my herbs mostly because I don't want to waste my limited lighting space on starting anything but food crops and all the nurseries sell herbs, but I transplant mine the same depth they were in the pot I bought them. I don't think you can go wrong doing that.

Some plants like it deeper, like the brassicas, tomatoes and peppers and some won't tolerate it because their growth points are near the top and if you bury them, the plant dies.

I'm sure someone with more expertise will come by to clarify planting depth.

quiltbea wrote:I'm not sure about transplanting herbs deeper. I buy my herbs mostly because I don't want to waste my limited lighting space on starting anything but food crops and all the nurseries sell herbs, but I transplant mine the same depth they were in the pot I bought them. I don't think you can go wrong doing that.

Some plants like it deeper, like the brassicas, tomatoes and peppers and some won't tolerate it because their growth points are near the top and if you bury them, the plant dies.

I'm sure someone with more expertise will come by to clarify planting depth.

Well I think I ended up loosing them all today. I put them outside this morning with the intent of only having them out for a few hours, but I kind of forgot about them till late this evening and they are NOT looking good. I am pretty sure it was to much direct sun to soon.

They might perk up with a good drink of water and being placed in the shade for a day.

scmelik wrote: I put them outside this morning with the intent of only having them out for a few hours, but I kind of forgot about them till late this evening and they are NOT looking good. I am pretty sure it was to much direct sun to soon.

I frequently forget to return to things that need immediate attention. I've take to turning on an alarm on my cell phone for a reminder of the things I must return to. I hope your plants revive.

camprn wrote:I frequently forget to return to things that need immediate attention. I've take to turning on an alarm on my cell phone for a reminder of the things I must return to. I hope your plants revive.

That's me, all the way! I have alarms for everything...After all, I wouldn't want to forget to pick the kids up from school.