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Central Connecticut

With the seed germination time days or hours away...I have this thought/question.

When planting your plant outside do most of you just plant it pointing straight up at the sky? Then as it grows support it on the way down so you don't get a vine crack? or does anyone plant it a a 45 deg angle? so the drop is less but the roots are not heading straight down? What if you germinated the seed at an angle...I'm picturing a 1/2 gallon juice container resting on a 45 deg angle then leaving it under the grow lite on the same angle until it's ready to go outside...Any thoughts...Chris

4/23/2004 6:40:23 AM

Commack, NY

Chris, ive tried the 45 degree angle thing, but the plant always seemed to right itself straight up. ive heard others use this method before, but ive never been able to get it to work for me.
Scott

4/23/2004 8:31:48 AM

Bemidji, MN

keep it straight up, the plant will bend forward without cracking. Steve

4/23/2004 8:42:32 AM

Montoursville, PA

Keep it straight up. The plant will adjust to your patch light situation no matter how you set it.

Planting the seed on a 45 degree insert to the pot may help the germination process shed the seed coats under ground.

Tobacco Mosaic is one of the dangers in the patch. If you have smokers in your association common sense scrub down of yourself or others before handling the soft and young seedling may make some good common sense. Nicoteen based insecticides are red flag territory.

4/23/2004 8:53:22 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

Doc, this brings a question to mind, two years ago I had tobacco growing in the area near the patch, although I have erradicated it, a few volunteers sprouted last year, do You see a concern? I had the whole area fall plowed, so I don't know if any will show up here and there or not this season.

4/23/2004 1:57:04 PM

Montoursville, PA

I really do not know. I suspect it is the dried and smoked variety that causes the problem.

4/23/2004 3:37:21 PM

C N Y

Chris, i've heard and read that the seed, when planted on its side into the seed-starting mix, will lose its seed coat in the soil more easily---i think i'll try this on
a couple Gerry seeds this year-lol---i do like the idea about growing them at an angle while under lights, there could be a benefit to it especially if they have become long and leggy like mine did in '02, you know, might alleviate having to PLANT them at an angle, but i think if they were normal-length stems they would right themselves for a while and you are back at square one.

i do like the idea in the first place because everything is pointed in the direction of where you want it to go.
as i said and as i have experienced, there could be a benefit to experimenting with this idea! 'pal2---g'luck!

4/23/2004 6:52:07 PM

[email protected]

I think part of this depends on the plants genetics. Bart's 707 is prone to growing the wrong way (in the direction of first true leaf rather than opposite). So planting this one on an angle in the hill serves as "encouragement" to do what we want it to do.

4/23/2004 8:47:23 PM

Leicester, NY

I put the plants in at an angle and then mound up a small amount of soil on the stem area to keep them from standing upright. It works okay most of the time, but like Scott says, some plants just want to go straight up.

4/23/2004 9:35:47 PM

Independence, MO

Mine is chasing the light.
My light is coming in from an angle.
4 hours and it is leaning towards the light.
I turn it 180 degrees and 4 hours later it is pointing at the light again.

I think I am just having too much fun while waiting to plant... I think I have completed reading the entire forum now though from start to finish...

4/23/2004 10:34:40 PM

[email protected]

Joe. Get a grow light on that thing!!!! Flourescent bulb just inches away.

4/24/2004 7:34:14 AM