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Montoursville, PA

There is a lot of growth not taking place due to cold weather and lack of sunshine. Therefore the plants look a little light green. Because of daily feeding there has been growth but this appears to be wrong. I am cutting the feeding elements in half and going to every other day until we get good growing weather.

I have increased the open space on cold frames to increase circulation and decrease the high in the short heat up period temperatures. I do not like the swings from fifty sixty degrees to ninety degrees when it is not a normal full day of sunlight. We have had jerky peeking and hiding sun. This is stress in my mind. I'm adjusting to cooler total until the total is ready to warm up more consistantly.

By decreasing the fertilization cycles and increasing the air circulation to cool a little the roots may have time to get ahead of the top growth. A little sunshine consistantly would please both me and the plants.

5/23/2003 9:20:19 PM

churchville, ny

Hey docgpipe-yes growth is certainly minimal here in western NY also-I put my plants in the ground about a week ago while in first true leaf stage and they look worse now than when I planted them-many have started to turn yellow at edge of leaves. Tom

5/23/2003 10:04:55 PM

Montoursville, PA

Being a rookie and basically into learning all I can I gently peeked about under ground!! Started at 24 inches and dug a very small four inch deep trench towards the plant. At fifteen inches I found a pumpkin root. They certainly move out and away don't they? That means the little four leaf and five leaf plants have a thirty inch diameter root system working under them already.

I quit being nosey as soon as I saw root. :)

5/23/2003 10:41:31 PM

Kansas

I tried the same thing docgipe but my roots were only 6 inches from the stem of the plant. It has 4 true leaves currently. I'm hoping the plant has one hell of a root going straight down. I've been applying 10-50-10 every six days but as far as roots go, thats all i seen on my plant.

Shawn

5/24/2003 12:58:20 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

You can be sure they have roots where you can't see. The smallest ends are thinner than a line of a note book and go further. If Doc has found them at 15'', I believe they are at 20'' minimum.

Don

5/24/2003 1:07:09 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I wonder about the wisdom of putting plants out into early May cool soil. I understand the concept of 150-180 days of growth period but it seemd to me that the plants *generally* sorta sit there with no growth and wasting valuable stored energy. I have 10 plants just sitting there, and only 2 that are appreciably growing, not a very good % rate.
I've started both early and then planted in late May...seems that once it warms up the late plants seem to catch right up with those that have been sitting there in cold soil. Unless you can provide 7 day/week warmth and sufficient sunlight, I don't see the efficacy of starting so early.
I still have plants not out yet, will be this weekend.
Just a thought that I've seen bounced around before.

5/24/2003 7:13:15 AM

North Ga

I think that even though you see no noticable growth above ground during cool weather, there is a lot going on underground. The plants are working on getting their root structures going. Just my thoughts.

5/24/2003 7:54:09 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Hey Pappy...here's another thought along those lines.

How well can a warm weather plant establish a root system in cool/cold soil? (Assuming the plant isn't in a warm shelter and the soil isn't heated)

5/24/2003 8:59:20 AM

North Ga

I guess it depends on how cold we're talking Kyle. Up north the ground is frozen fairly deep into the spring but here the soil temp gets around 45 degrees 6 inches down during the winter months. I wouldn't go chipping the frozen ground away in order to get a plant in early. LOL

5/24/2003 9:28:07 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Here it's been low 60's days, 40-50's nights with lots of "cold" rain. Except for 2, mine are just sittin' there gettin yellow spots. This is final planting weekend however, can't wait any longer.
You are warmer than me tho'. I still get a kick out of your admiring my 4 snow tires :0)

5/24/2003 9:43:04 AM

North Ga

studded snow tires at that!! LOL!!

5/24/2003 10:12:56 AM

Delaware

The weather here in delaware has been rainy and chilly and will be for a couple more days. Any thoughts on covering up the plants that are planted. A milk crate with plastic covering plants should help warm up the soil. Am I doing anything wrong here?

5/24/2003 10:40:02 AM

Montoursville, PA

Home grown: Not as long as common sense applys. No high heat over 90 degrees if the sun pops out for an hour. I have mine covered but vented for circulation too.

5/24/2003 11:07:26 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

The sun has finally reappeared here after several days of hiding.The soil temperature in my hoophouses is exactly the same now as it was a month ago and my later plants aren't growing any faster than earlier ones.
I just can't help being awkward! :)

5/24/2003 2:00:29 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Hey Doc, after two dismal no-sun days here, I placed a bare light bulb in the middle of my two plants with hopes of ensuring their direction of travel, and possibly adding some measure of the natural light they require. Soil is heated with cables and hoop house is heated as well, but growth really slows when the sun isn't shining ! Just a thought. Duff

5/24/2003 7:21:35 PM

Key West, FL

I dont think starting my seeds on April 21st has hurt me at all, I am very happy with my plants growth. Start your plants according to your climate.

5/24/2003 10:03:06 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

It's 52 here right now. Soil is bouncing back & forth from 58-62 unless I mess with it. And I do. The 85* water I used today brough the soil uo 4 degrees. The heat leamps are spinning my electric meter as I type. Hey! It's only money! And the greenhouse are hanging between 65-70. It's the best I can do without a Modine. And that's next if this keeps up!
Steve

5/24/2003 11:23:10 PM

Montoursville, PA

One thing that may be helping me this cold cold spring is the motherload under the seedlings. There is some heating support from the manure working below the seedlings.

5/25/2003 10:37:03 AM