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Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

I started two seeds soak and baggie method. When I left for work no root. When I came home the root on one of the seeds was 3/4 inch long and curling towards the ground. I carefully placed the sedd in pot and gently filled the starting mix around the root but it is still pointing toward the side of the pot. Will gravity correct the direction the root is growing? Should I have started the seed on its side instead of vertically? Should I start another seed as backup? Thanks in advance for your help.

4/26/2007 6:32:37 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

That root will take off and go its own way. No need to worry.

4/26/2007 7:17:14 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

Thanks for the reassurance. While I'm thinking about it though, why do people start so many plants? I have room for two so I started two. Is it to pick the strongest plant? Or "just in case?"

4/26/2007 9:19:24 PM

Last year I flew pretty bare only had 2 plants for backups. After a few of the best growers in the state got hit by an surprise freeze in early June that basically took them out of competition last year I learned a lesson.

I plan on backups for all plants and a few more this year,,some will be started a 7-10 days later and held inside in case of a disaster down the road,,wayyy to much work and prep done at this point to miss the season. Even a later planting date with get you a nice fruit to take to the weighoffs.

Any leftovers will be given to people that have expressed interest in trying them,,,,hand a gardner a plant they will stick it in some where,,,lol

4/26/2007 10:54:40 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Yep always got to have a back up...Not necessarily the same seed..maybe one that caught your eye. We had Gophers and a Hard freeze to contend with last year. Our back ups were not started. We paid for it in the long run.

4/27/2007 9:01:49 AM