Should these seedlings go in the ground?

gutties

I've germinated Delhphinium Pacific Giants and Sunflower Velvet Queen from seeds this year.

Here they are in 7cm / 8cm pots.

I know they will do better in the ground, but I have lots of slugs, and so I am trading off planting them until they are strong enough to fend off the impending slug attack.

Would appreciate any advice on this please?

Should either / both of them go in the ground yet or should I wait another while?

BTW, I'm in NI and am a good bit behind most others here, for example my first rose bloom just opened a few days ago.

BobTheGardener

I always grow delphiniums on for a year before planting out and would move those to 2 litre pots until next spring.  They most likely won't flower this year anyway, so grow them into good strong plants which will have a better chance of surviving slugs when they finally go into the ground.

Lyn

They would do better in the ground but as you say, slugs are a problem, you can put a slug trap down next to them or you can pot them into 6” pots until they are much bigger.

B3

I would wait until the sunflower gets a hairy stem. Repot if necessary while you're waiting. The slugs don't go for hairy stems so much.

gutties

OK, thanks all.

Both will wait a while yet until they go into the ground.

jillpapworth

It says on gardeningwithexperts.com: “  When it comes to perennials keep the aromatic element in mind. Plants with oil-rich foliage are usually more resistant. Take herbaceous geraniums for example. Slugs and snails may hide beneath the leaves, but they do not eat them.“ I must say slugs don’t eat mine but you may know differently!