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Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

How many transplant their seedlings into bigger pots after germination? Or do you just germinate in a bigger pot and leave alone?

The last 3 years I have used bigger pots and left them alone. Just curious what every does........Thanks, Ray

3/17/2007 10:17:35 AM

Litchfield N. H. 03052

I start the seeds in 1 qt ice cream containers, ( used upside down with bottom cut out), transfer to 1 gal nursey pots , from these to patch.
Bill

3/17/2007 10:22:01 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I start mine in smaller tupperware containers with the bottoms cut out and turn them upside done with the top lid as the bottom. Then I transplant into a gallon tupperware container doing the same. With doing this, I can see the roots. When I start to see many roots forming, the plant is planted outside. This way my root system doesn't form a big root ball.

3/17/2007 11:41:28 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

I pre-sprout my seeds, then plant in upside down, large/supersized fastfood beverage glasses. Then outside in the garden.

3/17/2007 11:56:28 AM

Deer Park, WI

In my mind, transplantation=root damage. Therefore, my seedlings will only suffer transplanting one event. What is a fine root hair at the end of april can become a breakfast sausage come September. Early damage can compromise root development later on. Preservation is key for me. To maximize root system integrity, i use the large cylindrical oatmeal containers, upside down just like the majority here. The seedling is transplanted into the garden prior to first true leaf development, as the taproot is usally curling onto the bottom of the container by this time. Simply remove the bottom cover, slide the container off, and voila, and largely undisturbed root system is ready to roll.

3/17/2007 7:43:20 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Marc and I used the same tech...which is..Precutting the bottoms off 4" peat pots...filing seeds and soaking around 4 hours and them planting in a cooler heated with a heating pad set on Medium. the pots are placed on a towel which separates the pots from the pad. After 5 days the little guys are starting to hump the dirt and they are moved outside to the prepared planting sites. Usually the main root is just reaching the bottom of the pot. we see this as we removed the precut bottom and transplant. we have tried the moving to bigger pots or starting in bigger pots BUt they always seem to get leggy. Hence we usually go with th eabove method. Which seems to be working pretty good
DAN

3/17/2007 10:37:24 PM

Deer Park WA

We use 1-gallon pots cut in half and taped back together... This allows us a few day "Float" time to hold them if the weather sucks. Transplanting is dangerous and hurtfull to seedlings.

3/17/2007 11:42:46 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

This year I'm going to try using the covers for 100 blank CD's spindles. They're clear and cylindrical. Not quite a gallon size, but if you drill holes for drainage they'll make great see-the-roots-grow pots.

3/18/2007 12:06:29 AM

Montoursville, PA

1.75 gal. straight sided Ice Cream containers are great and fun to make empty. Burn them when done planting in the patch. See the making of them in my diary of years past.

The bottom becomes the top. Make holes in the new bottom. Cut out the bottom thus the bottom becomes the top. Cut down one side and tape back together.

Nice size to handle, big enough for a few days longer in pot, easy to remove and creates a need for more icecream with a purpose. Did I mention they have a thin plastic film liner too? They clean easily too.

3/18/2007 10:21:48 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I use an 11" length of 7.5" Sono-tube. I use an icecream lid as a bottom & fill with my starter mix. It's big enough to allow my plants to stay in them for an extra few days if the weather turns ugly. I cut the tube down both lengths as well & tape them back up. This way I just need to pull out the bottom plastic lid & cut the tape & the tube will put away. The less the roots are disturbed the better.

Phil

3/19/2007 7:32:23 AM

Oswego, New York

I use the biggest metal coffee cans I can find, usually 3 or 5lb containers with the bottoms cut off and the plastic lid attached to the bottom, then line the cans with plastic wrap leaving enough to stick out of both ends and folded over the top sides, then I fill the can 1/2 of the way with the soil. I put the seed in after I have filed the coat and it has sprouted. Then I put a low watt shop light with a clamp attached about 12 inches from it and as the plant gets bigger. Don't let the sprout dry out. I add more dirt around the stem and move the light up so I don't burn the plant. This keeps the plant from getting leggy and the stem grows roots all along the stem so when you transplant out of doors it has a better established root system and can take in the nutrients and water better. You just take the bottom off of the can when ready to plant outside, dig your hole and slide the plant out of the can from the top with the plastic wrap. Make sure your can is on its side and then take the plastic off and plant in your prepared hole no root trama at all. The plant will need some special attention at first. I read this method from someone on here 3 years ago.

3/19/2007 11:12:47 AM

Oswego, New York

Oh sorry I forgot, keep adding dirt around the stem the whole time the stem grows longer and keep moving the light further away as it grows.

3/19/2007 11:16:16 AM

Nashville, TN

I tried a new system last season. Started the seeds in standard litle peat cubes, Then right after they came up (before any roots were showing on the outside of the peat cube. Approx 1-2 days after sprout) I planted the cubes into large peat pots.

Once they had their second set of true leaves, I transplanted pots and all into the garden, putting 1/2-1" of soil over the top of the pot.

Had a much better success ratio over the preceding season.

I have used this method with several other garden veg. for over a decade. Works with them all - just some must be transplanted very quickly or their roots come through the sides before you get them into the garden.

3/19/2007 2:57:20 PM