When to Transplant Cotyledons?

The general rule of thumb is that when a seedling has three to four true leaves, it's large enough to plant out in the garden (after it has been hardened off). When you plant a seed, the first leaves to emerge are the cotyledons.

Can you transplant cotyledons?

Cotyledons provide the baby seedling with food until the true leaves rise up above them and start making their own food for the plant through photosynthesis. ... You want to see 3 – 4 true leaves before transplanting. This ensures the plant can feed itself after it is transplanted.

How long do seedlings need before transplanting?

The ideal time for transplanting your seedlings is about 3 weeks after they sprout or when you have 1-2 sets of true leaves. It's better to get them in new containers before they start to show the signs of stress listed below.