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PA

I have been using peat pots to sart my seeds with fine resaults. I have recently heard something about the peat pots possibly restricting root growth if the soil is not warm enough. I guess the peat doesn't break down as fast. I was wondering if anyone thought it might be better to use plastic pots. I've seen them cut in half and taped together so you can just pull the tape off and separate the pot at planting time. just looking for some opinions. Godd luck this year!!!!

3/10/2001 6:56:26 PM

PA

sorry, Good Luck this year! Typo!

3/10/2001 6:57:32 PM

Buffalo, Minnesota

I have started a few test seedlings, and in one of the peat pots their is already a few roots poking out of the pots at two weeks, i think you just gotta be shure to keep the pots very saturated with water after you stick them in the ground, that way i think they will break down considerably quicker. just my thoughts, ~Bill

3/11/2001 1:36:50 AM

walton n.y.

amy last year we couldn't find any 4"peat pots so i used 3" at 4-5 days roots went through the peat pot and had to use the plastic pot cut in half taped togather trick (a cold snap delayed planting for several days) this year i 've got 4" peat pots but they are much thicker than what i've used in the past so to weaken them up a bit i'm going to poke some holes in them

3/11/2001 5:27:49 PM

Modesto, CA

Last year, I used large coffee cans to start my seedlings. I just cut along the sides with tin snips and taped it back together with duct tape. I used the plastic lid for the bottom of the can and poked a bunch of holes in the lid. It worked wonderfully. I think the aluminum can was a nice heat conductor, also. Right now, I'm using 6" peat pots though and before I transplant them, I will poke some holes in the sides to help the roots. Good luck ~Monica

3/11/2001 6:20:07 PM

PA

Lots of great ideas, thanks, I will experiment this year!

3/12/2001 9:21:56 AM

Kentucky - USA

You can fill your peat pots up with dirt and set them out side about a month early before you plant anything in them. This gives them time to soften up alot and you wont believe the difference.

4/8/2001 5:39:46 PM

Midway City, California

I use 1/2 Gallon Ice cream container of carboard. I cut out the bottom and use the lid in it's place. Punch some holes near the bottom for drainage. By the time they are ready for transplanting the cardboard will be wet and soggy and can be easily torn with your hands. I heard someplace (cannot remember where) that the string type peat moss in with your dirt will hold everything together when you remove the outside of the container

4/8/2001 7:57:20 PM

Deer Park WA

Hi Amy, I like peat pots as they are organic. Here's what I do and it seems to work better than any technique I have tried in the past. Take a 4" peat pot and poke holes in it with a screwdriver, use a file or an electric wire wheel and "shave" the pot very thin. Next cut a 8" plastic pot in half and duct tape it back together. Start you selected specimin in the peat pot and imeadiatly after it comes up put the peat pot inside the plastic pot, and back fill with the same type of starting medium. wait for the most oppertune planting time, remove the duct tape, and there you have it, a plant that is not root bound, and not in shock from transplanting.I hope this helps. G. Gadberry
P.s Please recycle the 8" pot for next years pumpkin...

4/8/2001 11:41:10 PM