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Newville, PA

When starting seeds in pots, Should you start in a large pot? or start small and move to bigger pots? Also, when should the plant be planted in the ground to reduce chances of the roots becoming bound?

3/7/2012 9:42:38 AM

President - GPC

I transplant from a 5" peat pot one day after the cots breach the soil. At that time there are already roots hitting the bottom of the peat pot. I will peel away the peat pot gentley trying not to distrub roots, but many times lil oneZ get pullled off. ThatZ why its important to move fast. Leaving them in the pot is not good as they will circle for a while inside before they break out.

I will be starting them in even bigger pots this year...always trying something new....

3/7/2012 9:59:34 AM

Colorado

I start mine in 2 gallon containers.They need to be put outside when the 4th true leaf is the size of a silver dollar.I call them 3 and a half leaf stage-theyll have roots circling the pot but wont be root bound.2 gallon works good-the root ball will hold together if you get the soil dry before transfering. seedlings are 14 to 20 days old at this stage

3/7/2012 3:42:41 PM

Colorado

I pre germ the seed before putting in 2 gallon containers.

3/7/2012 3:45:35 PM

Hinckley MN

Most growers plant at or before the first true leaf stage, and that is probably safest. Minnesota is still very cold in early May, so I uppot from 5 inch peat pots to 7 gallon grow bags to get 2 more weeks indoors. I shocked 1 of 6 plants transplanting to the grow bags and shocked 2 of 4 transplanting to the patch. I damaged roots on the first two but then figured out a better way to remove the plastic grow bags.

3/8/2012 11:49:44 AM