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Calgary Alberta Canada

I'm wondering how big I can grow my pumpkin plant before I put it outside. Last year I put them out as soon as the true leafs started growing. I'd like to start earlier and put out a plant that's bigger. My plan is to use the largest peat pot I can find. Any advice would be appreciated. ...
Thanks

11/28/2015 6:30:48 PM

Partlow,Va

In a perfect scenario I start my seeds in a 4' peat pot w/ starter mix; repot on day four to 1.5 gallon pot with garden mix; then plant in garden on day eight- ten.
I don't want the roots to be hindered or have the chance to dry out on the tips if it can be put outside. Granted we live in totally different climates but thats what I do.

11/29/2015 9:31:42 PM

Lloydminster/AB

A small plant at transplanting will do just fine. The roots will begin to bind in a gallon ice cream pail by the time the first leaf is 4". The temp of the soil outside determines how fast your plant will grow. Doubling your pot size might only get you 2 more days inside. Look at my diary to see how fast they grow if you have warm soil. A plant set out in late April will challenge your ability to protect it from freezing because of the size it will grow to.

11/30/2015 11:28:29 PM

Colorado

I put my germing seeds into 2 gallon buckets. It takes appr. 20 days for the seedlings to be ready to go in the ground. That allows me to put them out 10 to 12 days later than a first leaf stage seedling. As don said its all about the temp of the garden soil theyre planted in. A temporary green house will raise the soil temp to get the seedling going. Temp greenhouse and soil heating cables will be even better.

12/9/2015 9:04:10 PM

Germany

For planting the seedlings in buckets a couple of days before you transplant them into the patch, check out this method:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=196308

12/10/2015 2:39:28 PM