Picking seedlings in 2022

What is a pick

It would seem a simple question: any summer resident knows what it is. In fact, many people confuse picking with other tricks. There are three of them and they are similar. But there are significant differences.

Pick. This is transplanting a seedling into another pot, during which the tip of the root is pinched (1). This is the key point! The tip is pinched so that the roots branch better (2). The principle is the same as with shoots: pinch the top – the bush will be fluffy. No – it will grow in one stem.

Transfer. This is the transfer of a seedling from a box to a pot. At the same time, the roots of the seedling, as a rule, are exposed and damaged, because in the box the seedlings sprout tightly, in the process of growth, the roots intertwine with each other. It is simply impossible not to break them. Even if the seedlings are very small and the roots have not yet become entangled with their neighbors, they are still often damaged.

It so happened historically that summer residents call a transplant a pick. So they say: they dived the seedlings from the box into pots. But if the root was not pinched, then this is not a pick – an ordinary transplant.

Transshipment. This is a seedling transplant from a small container to a larger pot. At the same time, the clod of earth is completely preserved, the roots are not damaged.

But sometimes this process is also called picking: “They dipped it into bigger cups.” This is also incorrect.

What seedlings should be dived

You can dive only young seedlings. As a rule, picking is done when the seedling has 2 – 3 true leaves (3). Not cotyledons, but true leaves. At this time, the roots are still small, it is clearly visible where the main root is, it is easy to find its tip. And young plants recover much faster than overgrown ones.

However, not all cultures tolerate picking well, and for some it is generally contraindicated.

How to make a pick

When the seedlings form the first pair of true leaves, young plants are taken out of pots or dug out of a box, carefully remove the earth from the end of the root and shorten it by 1/3.

It is most convenient to dig seedlings out of the box with a teaspoon – this way the roots are preserved as much as possible.

The root can be tamed in many ways. For example, pinching it with your fingers is the easiest option. But it is not always possible to grab a thin spine. Another way is to cut it off with scissors. Or put the root on a cutting board and cut with a knife. Another option is to pinch with tweezers. There is no difference, it all depends on convenience: do as you like best.

After picking, it is useful to lower the rest of the root into the ashes so that the wound is powdered – this will protect the seedling from fungal diseases.

After picking, the seedlings are planted in a larger container.

What types of picks exist

Often on sites for summer residents, picking is divided into 3 types: classic picking (when pinching the tip of the root), transplanting and transshipment. In fact, transplantation and transshipment have nothing to do with picking (see above).

There is a technique in which the root is not pinched, but bent up – this also stimulates the growth of lateral roots. But again, this is not a pick, but a transplant option.

What cultures do not tolerate picking

Eggplant. They do not tolerate picking at all! They have very large leaves even at a young age, they evaporate a large amount of water. If you pinch the main root, it will be difficult for the seedling to extract water and nutrients from the soil, but the leaves continue to consume moisture. As a result, the seedlings often wither and die from a lack of water, no matter how much they water it.

By the way, not only picking is contraindicated for eggplants, but also transplantation, in which the roots are also damaged. Only transshipment from a small glass to a large one is allowed. But even here there is a risk – the earth can crumble and the roots, again, will be damaged. Therefore, it is better to sow eggplants immediately in a suitable container.

Peppers. They are less picky, but picking is also contraindicated for them. If you pinch the tip of the root, the seedlings get sick for a long time, it is difficult to take root, as a result, the ripening period of the crop is greatly delayed and drops sharply.

Another problem is infection. After picking, a wound is formed, and this is an open gate for infection. And peppers are very susceptible to fungal diseases. So why give them a chance?

Transplanting from a box into pots is also not to the taste of peppers. Again, the roots are torn, the plants are sick. For them, only transshipment is allowed. But even better, as in the case of eggplant, sow the seeds immediately in large cups.

Roots. Root celery is grown through seedlings. Sometimes beets and turnips. So, pinching the root is also contraindicated for them!

Firstly, their central root is the main source of water and nutrients from the soil.

Secondly, damage to the main root always leads to the fact that root crops grow into freaks: branched and with a “beard” of many small roots.

What crops tolerate picking well

Tomatoes. But the picking is only good for them! If you pinch the tip of the main root, it begins to branch, many additional roots form, which extract more moisture and nutrition. The result is a high yield.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about picking plants with agronomist-breeder Svetlana Mikhailova.

Sources of

1. Pick. Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional) // St. Petersburg, 1890 – 1907
2. Shuin K.A., Zakraevskaya N.K., Ippolitova N.Ya. Garden from spring to autumn // Minsk, Uradzhay, 1990 – 256 p.
3. Yakubovskaya L.D., Yakubovsky V.N., Rozhkova L.N. ABC of a summer resident // Minsk, OOO “Orakul”, OOO Lazurak, IPKA “Publicity”, 1994 – 415 p.