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Little-TON - Colorado

Anyone else use the small peat pots to start there seeds inside like the ones on the DVD? I noticed when I pulled several stumps that the root ball appeared rootbound and twisted. I attributed this to the peat pot not breaking down fast enough and retricting the roots to inside the pot. Making them go round and round until the peat breaks down. Later on the pot rots out enough and the roots travel. I poked holes in the pot as shown. I noticed up at the nursery I had one pot the was almost completely intact with its bottom gone as I had pulled if off prior to planting. Roots the same.......This cant be good. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this issue...........?

10/23/2006 1:39:16 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Plants should be removed from the peat pots at planting time in the garden. AGP roots grow much faster than the pot will break down. Root girdling is not good for the AGP's root system.

You generally get only one day per inch of pot size after germination. Therefore a 6" pot must be planted quickly to avoid girdling. Extra time is available if you transplant into larger containers. Minimizing the stress is best. One quick transplating at third leaf stage works just fine as long as the weather and your protection holds up well.

10/23/2006 2:01:12 PM

Montoursville, PA

Four years now I have advised one gallon straight sided ice cream containers. They nicely support eight to ten days from planting, through emergence to first true leaves.

They are not quite a gallon anymore but the height of the can has not changed that much. The picture series of how to make these dandy pots is in my 2003 diary. I have not seen or heard of anything better for our specific use. The newly emerging root development will just be touching bottom and all sides in eight days most of the time. If you happen to need another day or two for any reason the pot is OK to that limit at least. If you want to see for yourself plant a test seed in a clear gallon jug and watch the roots develop for yourself. It's amazing to say the least.

10/23/2006 2:25:33 PM

Follansbee, Wv

I use a system similar to Doc's. Instead of ice cream containers I use 3-liter soda bottles. I find the bottles have a little more depth available, but both are excellent starting containers. Last year I did a number of seed starting experiments using a number of different soil mediums and containers. The results were interesting to say the least. I documented the tests in my diary. It's worth a look if you are interested in early root development. The entries start here:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=30485

A few entries later you can see the tap root hitting the bottom of a 3-liter bottle after only 5 days.

10/24/2006 8:01:39 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

MontyJ, Gee went to your diary, nice experiment, ended up reading the whole diary, WOW what a story in 2005.

10/24/2006 10:37:41 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

I use these 15 litre pots I made a while ago,You can keep plants in them for 10 days if you have to.The shape gives you room where its needed most,a conventional shape would be too heavy at this length/width.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=16472

10/24/2006 11:36:25 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Wow.....Nice pots....Got me really thinking now, mine are way too small even when I transplanted into gallon containers, the roots were already circling....Now Im wondering if it would be more beneficial to plant directly in the soil, but it is too cold in Colorado for this. If any thousand pound experts would advise, ??? DO the BIGs sow directly in the soil to prevent plants being stunted due or are they using BIG POTS??

10/24/2006 2:59:20 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

How bout it BIG's ? Please Advise

10/24/2006 2:59:47 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

How bout it BIG's ? Please Advise

10/24/2006 2:59:47 PM

Montoursville, PA

Most guys in the Northeast part of the country are into pots in some sort of germination box, then into house or greenhouse, for a time period of seven to twelve days when the plant is set out into a cold frame in the patch.

Many guys are out in the patch growing long before the last frost is recorded. They are in a temporary greenhouse or cold frame. You can not put an exact area wide date on the process but it begins with seed potting about the middle to the end of April.

10/24/2006 6:12:23 PM

[email protected]

Here is a 14" tall piece of cut & hinged Sewer & Drain pipe that has served us well for several years now:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=17749

I built a few of these & clean them with bleach & re-use them every year.

10/24/2006 11:58:23 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I use Sono-tubes. Get the 10" diameter tubes & cut to whatever length you want. I have found that 12"-14" is plenty of room as long as you don't keep it in there any longer than 15 or 16 days. Glue a thick paper plate or styrofoam plate on the bottom to hold in the soil. To make it easier to get the seedling out, cut the tube lengthway before you put in your soil mix & duct tape it back together. Once it's ready for the garden, just cut the tape, peel the plate off the bottom & open it up. Hope this helps.

Phil

10/25/2006 7:37:37 AM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

I use 44 oz cups with the lid taped on and the bottom cut out. They are cheap, easy to find, and disposable. I have the seeds outside within a week of germination. I find that if I leave them inside any longer the leaves begin to burn and shrivel.

10/25/2006 8:10:55 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Tremor,
Thanks I like the pipe idea the best , (price and still space efficient) although the upside down pyramid is very ingenious! It made me realize that my way was too small and needed to be improved for a more expansive root system.

10/25/2006 9:31:02 AM

Berlin,mi.([email protected])

HERE'S A PICTURE OF THE ONES I MADE. THEY WORK GREAT. SAME IDEA AS TREMOR.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=46208

10/25/2006 12:17:29 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

I like those alot, deep and seems to be easly not to distrub the root system.

10/25/2006 12:49:57 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Wiz, aint this place amazing....ask and ye shall receive!!!! LOL...most of the time, anyways!!! Peace, Wayne

10/25/2006 11:54:29 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I have used the PVC pipe sections for several years now and they have served me well. I used to put hinges in mine, but I found that if I use duct ties to hold them together rather than hinges, when I transplant, I can put the pot in the hole, fill up the hole with dirt, and then lift the sides out vertically.

10/26/2006 10:10:52 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

JMattW,
Where do you find duck ties.....? Sometimes I really quack up......seriously though thanks.......

10/26/2006 12:10:55 PM

Montoursville, PA

When a pot is of the throw-away variety none, of this year's unknown problems will be saved, in the pot.

I do like the idea of easy to find, free on the garbage or waste market, light of weight, adequate and burned not saved for another year.

10/26/2006 1:09:53 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

I will add Duck tape instead of hinges as it is cheap in price, and will allow for easy removal once in the ground. Black pipe is smart since usually in early spring it is quite cool and using solar energy makes sense.......

10/26/2006 1:31:56 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

any lowes or home depot should have them. They're essentially gigantic zip ties that are usually around 24-30" long or so.

10/26/2006 5:46:33 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Cable ties then ehhh?

10/26/2006 7:19:42 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

basically, but they're not always where the cable ties are at in the stores.

10/26/2006 8:45:59 PM

Indiana

The 'giant zip ties" are usually close to the furnace ducting that is what they were made for.
Steve

10/27/2006 12:47:26 PM