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| Hi all,
I'm planting Bright Lights swiss chard for the first time and planted them 3 per small pot indoors last week. They're starting to sprout now but it looks like there are 2-3 tiny sprouts per "seed" coming up. Is this the normal growth habit for 1 seed or were they actually seed clusters I got? I'm just wondering whether I need to plan on thinnng these out or if I should just plant the group as 1 plant? I'd pull one up to check but I'm reluctant to sacrifice even one! Thanks, Susanne |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| This is my 2nd time growing chard (bright lights and fordhook) and both types did the same thing you describe. I would also be interested in the answer to your question, I didn't know if I should thin them either. |
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- Posted by bitterwort z4a MN (My Page) on Sat, May 2, 09 at 23:36
| Swiss chard and its relative the beet have multiple seeds joined in a fruit, which is actually what you'll find in the seed pack. Each one you plant will typically grow into multiple plans, as you've found. I usually start chard in pots as you do and then transplant them to plugs or 4-packs to grow before planting out. I wait until they grow large enough to handle and then I separate them while transplanting them. Rather than pulling them out, I'd suggest carefully pushing the soil with plants out of the pot and then carefully teasing the soil and little plants apart. I usually let the seed mix get a bit dry before attempting this because it's easier to separate the soil then. Good luck! |
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- Posted by susanne_in_nl z6-7 Netherlands (My Page) on Sun, May 10, 09 at 15:43
| Thanks Bitterwort. I did find some info explaining about the seed "clusters" after a few different searches online. Yesterday I went ahead and teased apart the 1-2 inch tall seedlings as you suggested and potted them in bigger pots. They all seem to be doing OK. Some will stay in the pots and a few I may try in the ground as edible ornamental plants. I just hope I can keep the snails and slugs from feasting on them before we can! Thanks again, Susanne |
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