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Braceville, IL

Can you start you seeds in a pot that they say can be planted directly in to the soil???

2/22/2012 11:00:44 AM

Home of happy lil plants

Technically you can but they will dramattically slow down growth when the roots hit the sides of the pot..even if you are just looking for an average size pumpkin you lose alot of the key growing time by doing that. Long story short just cut the pot away from the dirt with a just slightly moist soil and you can transfer the plant without disturbing the roots.

2/22/2012 11:24:59 AM

Polson, Montana

I start mine in a 5 inch peat pot then peel them away like Spence says. Never had a problem, they take off. Just don't leave them too long.

2/22/2012 11:30:21 AM

Minnesota

You will want to take it out of the pot and transplant it without disturbing the roots, 7-10 days or not much longer. I have used, cut the top off a 1/2 gallon milk container, throw out, cut the sides and bottom off, tape them back together, when it is time to transplant peel tape put in ground. If you put pots in the search bar/destination search bar and scroll down some, you can see some growers pots.

2/22/2012 3:01:33 PM

Rapid City, SD

have seen these things roots at side of 1 1/2 gallon ice cream bucket in 7 days........don't know about 8 days......never had one in the pot that long

2/22/2012 7:33:11 PM

Hinckley MN

I have always poked a bunch of holes in the pots before planting. The roots then have no problem finding their way out. I take a knife and make 8 holes around the bottom half of the sides and 5 holes in the flat bottom of a 5 inch peat pot. I've done this for years with other plants, but this is just my second year growing AGs.

After transplanting, if the top of the pot sticks out it will act as a wick and dry out the roots. Bury it 1-2 inches below the surface and it will be fine. The roots will fill a 5 inch pot in 7 days and a 5 gallon pot in 20 days. If you don't stay ahead of the roots, you will stunt the plant.

The tomato transplants you buy at a greenhouse with all the roots showing when you pop them out of the plastic trays are already rootbound and stunted. Commercial growers don't let their starts get that root bound or leggy (tall and thin) because it sets production back a month or so.

2/23/2012 10:15:02 AM

Wi

1675 hopkins was planted in a 5" peat pot that was placed directly in the soil. I don't think John even poked holes in the pot.

That said.....1810 was not...lol.

2/23/2012 3:32:20 PM

Ontario

I have used soil blocks for years ,all they are really ,is a block of soil. I have a press the forms the blocks,you could use a large pot and cut the bottom out ,turn it,so big end is down ,and fill with soil,packing it firmly.The beauty of growing any thing this way,is the roots air prune.A term that means,they stop growing,when they hit air. The roots are poised ready to grow out, when they are expoised to your soil.Johhnys Seeds sell different size soil block makers . I hope this helps Terry

2/23/2012 4:01:59 PM

Ontario

I should have also said, you push the soil out of the pot once you pack it full,to expose all sides and new top,and plant your seed in the top. Terry

2/23/2012 7:46:20 PM

Rhode Island

these dam things are so prolific that even left in the pot like chris mentioned? will not stop that root growth.
personally though? ron and i prefer to peel the peat pot away and let those roots taste fresh soil.
pap

3/7/2012 8:43:56 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

pap-i have done the same for several years..

3/7/2012 3:03:32 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I poke holes in the 5" peat pots and keep them good and moist. Then when planting I peel off the top part so there isn't any exposed to the air. If you let part of it hit the air the whole pot can dry out and hurt root penetration.

3/7/2012 5:47:42 PM

stoughton WI

has anyone ever used cloth pots. they make some that are called smart pots. i was told that plants will not get root bound in them. i tryed them last year and seemed to work well, no problems that i saw and plants were a foot tall. if anybody has any input that would be great...

3/7/2012 7:32:10 PM

Joliet, IL

A bottom soak the day before transplant letting the water wick up into both the peat pot and seed starter mix makes them very easy to peel off later. I have my pre-dug hole ready for the transplant and first carefully peel off the bottom and put your hand underneath to avoid soil breaking away. Then place directly in hole the way you want it with a slight angle towards the way the vine will run. Then I carefully peel a straight line down one side. Then as you peel away the pot have the other hand ready to slide some dirt to the exposed side to shore it up a bit and then carefully remove entire pot and backfill immediately. A kneeling pad is nice to make sure you are stable and take your sweet time.

3/7/2012 9:12:33 PM

Joliet, IL

A bottom soak the day before transplant letting the water wick up into both the peat pot and seed starter mix makes them very easy to peel off later. I have my pre-dug hole ready for the transplant and first carefully peel off the bottom and put your hand underneath to avoid soil breaking away. Then place directly in hole the way you want it with a slight angle towards the way the vine will run. Then I carefully peel a straight line down one side. Then as you peel away the pot have the other hand ready to slide some dirt to the exposed side to shore it up a bit and then carefully remove entire pot and backfill immediately. A kneeling pad is nice to make sure you are stable and take your sweet time.

3/7/2012 9:12:55 PM

Webster, NY

What I've been doing is planting in a 5 inch peat pot. When it's time to put in the ground, I've made 4 slits down the side of the peat pot and then put the whole thing in the ground.

Do you think it's better to just remove the peat pot completely?

3/8/2012 6:26:58 AM

Webster, NY

I forgot to mention, after making the 4 slits, I peal the sides so the peat pot is essentially flat. I was wondering if that would inhibit the roots from going down into the soil. Going sideways would be OK. Any thoughts?

3/8/2012 6:28:26 AM

President - GPC

WiZzzy peelZ off the bottom, then the pot iZ put into the larger 4 gallon pot, already warmed up same temp as the 5" peaty..... Then I slip in a pair of siZZorZs and cut only one side of the peat pot. The 5" peaty is then opened like a clam and slipped from the 5" root ball. No dirt to fall off, no distrubence of roots, its already in the pot. Pinches of mycho are then added, then the dirt is mounded around the root ball. Peat pot tossed into the compost pile.....

3/8/2012 9:57:14 AM