Vegetable seedlings are more harmful than planting
Xi'an Longze Biotechnology Co., Ltd. , https://www.bestbilberry.com
The higher the market price of vegetables, the more farmers are motivated to grow them. Many vegetable farmers start preparing seedlings early in order to take advantage of the timing and get their crops to market faster. However, they often wait until the seedlings have developed 8 to 10 true leaves before transplanting them. While this approach might allow for an earlier first harvest, it can actually be counterproductive in the long run. Large seedlings tend to develop weak root systems, leading to lower yields later on, which makes the practice more harmful than helpful.
First, transplanting large seedlings can hinder the formation of flower buds in mid-to-late season vegetables. Most vegetables begin developing their flower buds when they have just 2 or 3 true leaves. By the time they reach 6 to 7 true leaves, the flower bud differentiation is already in a critical stage known as the “starry sky†phase, which directly affects the yield and quality of the crop. If the plants are not transplanted at this point, they may grow too tall—up to 25–30 cm—and become crowded, leading to poor light exposure and reduced photosynthesis. This can cause the seedlings to become leggy, which negatively impacts flower bud development and ultimately reduces the yield during the middle and late growing seasons.
Second, large seedlings are slower to establish after transplanting, and their root systems are often weakened. When seedlings are too big, their ability to produce enough photosynthetic material decreases, which limits the nutrients available to the roots. As a result, root growth becomes slow, and the plant struggles to absorb enough water and nutrients from the soil. This lack of support for the above-ground parts leads to delayed growth and weak development. Additionally, weak roots make the plants more susceptible to soil-borne diseases, which can spread quickly and even kill the plants.
In contrast, seedlings with 4 to 6 true leaves tend to adapt more quickly to the new environment, establish strong roots faster, and experience less transplant shock. This helps them grow stronger and healthier from the beginning. For this reason, I would strongly advise farmers to choose smaller, younger seedlings for planting rather than waiting for them to grow too large. It's a small decision that can lead to much better results in the long run.