Seedlings advice

[DameWashalot82]

I'm an absolute beginner at gardening and growing veg and have gone for a bung lots of things in a seedling tray to see what happens type of approach.

I've used a propagation tray that came filled already with a peat soil mix and the idea was you put in a seed and off you go. Being a bit ambitious I've got a lot of different things in there that it says you can sow inside during January/February on the packet.
It's in my sitting room in south facing window but sitting room is over 20 degrees most of the day/night due to stove. I have also wrapped tray in poly bag to create a greenhouse effect.

I'm beyond excited that my lettuce seeds have germinated and are proper little seedlings pretty quickly plus some spinach ones starting to show too. Only about 3-4 days since sowing.

My worry now is keeping them alive...is it too hot in the room I've got them in? Also should I unwrap the clear plastic bag since some are germinated but I've got spring onion and strawberry seeds still in there. Should I try to move the emerged seedlings into wee growing pots since they will need different growing conditions to the still to germinate seeds?

I've read so much that it's put me in circles and all common sense has disappeared...I'm so happy that things are sprouting but now I'm panicking that I'm not really sure where to go from here!

Any advice would be welcomed

That's the downside of mixing seeds!

I would probably prick out the seedlings, being very careful not to touch stem or root (hold them by a leaf) and gently get them in pots or cells. Then find somewhere cooler for them! Look at the packet for temperature guidance.

Thanks mrsbert. So as the seedlings are in this wee plug of peat/compost mix should I try and remove them from that when potting on into tiny pots or place that full mix into some suitable young seedling compost?
There is only one seedling per plug so I assumed I wouldn't have to do the pricking out thing ?

If there's only one seedling per plug and you can get the plug out, then best to transplant plug and all - the less disturbance to the roots the better.

No need to transplant till the need the extra space. A few days after sowing is far too soon.

You should keep the plastic bag from touching the tiny seedlings. Or you could remove it altogether - its main function is to keep the compost moist, but you can do that yourself be checking it every day without fail.

Since they're quite warm, they need to have plenty of light, so at this time of year a south facing windowsill is good.

Thank you for the advice, I think it was a bit warm for the lettuce seedlings in the living room so they have been moved but definitely a bit 'leggy' more than a bit actually, but it's been a good learning experience for me.

A follow up question if anyone is still there, I've got some strawberry and some chilli seeds on mantelpiece for the heat, covered with plastic. About a third of the chilli seeds have germinated in past day or so. When should I remove the plastic? Now that some have poked through or wait a few more days to see if others appear?

And should I take them off that pretty warm mantelpiece now or wait to see if more appear?

The first two leaves that appear are the "seed leaves" or cotyledons basically formed in the seed and designed to see the seedling through till it's got enough roots to produce the true leaves. Once you have true leaves, you'll need to move it to a windowsill for enough light. Bearing that in mind, I would leave the plastic bag for protection.

What you need to do is make sure the leaves aren't touching the condensation on the plastic. You may need a bigger plastic bag. Use plant labels or whatever you can find to stop the plastic flopping down on to the seedlings.

When you finally remove the bag, do so gently. Start by opening it up at the top for a few days. The air round the seedlings will be much drier when the bag is removed - you don't want it to be too much of a shock.

when you have moved the seedlings to the windowsill, make sure they'll be on the room side of the curtains at night. It'll be too cold for them on the window side.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give that a go