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Nd

What should I start them in? Have 2 gallon containers and 6 inch peat pots. The average last frost date here is May 15th.

4/6/2010 9:50:16 AM

formerly RGG

A lot depends on how big the plants will be when you set them out. Peat pots are very nice since the plant rots will grow right on through them. With that said, the 2 gallon containers will give the roots more room and if you are able to transplant them without disturbing the roots much then this might be the better option.

4/6/2010 8:31:59 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I use a 12" piece of 9" corrugated drain tile standing on end in a regular 9x18 grow tray. I have cut the drain tile completely in half, drilled a couple holes along the seam, and zipped tied it back together. When planting, I slide the container into the hole, cut the ties pulling the sides away and close in the dirt. It seems to work okay. Dave uses upside down ice cream pails with the normal snap on top as the bottom. That seems to work also, but you have to get the whole watermelon plant through one end of the pail, where I just remove the sides of the drain tile and close it in.

4/9/2010 2:16:30 PM

Frankfort Oh

I`d like to see pics of some of the things you guys are talking about , could you guys post pics in your diarie?very interesting planting ideas,Rob

4/9/2010 5:24:13 PM

Western PA

Since I am growing mine indoors for atleast 2 months, I am using a cat litter bucket with the bottom cut off. Leave the lid on and fill with your starting mix. When I plant it in the garden, I will dig a hole in the mound to the proper depth of the bucket, then loosen the lid, set the bucket in the hole,slide the lid out, backfill while the bucket is still in the hole, then lift the bucket right out with minimal disturbence to the roots.

One note, I tried the same thing with a large coffee can when I put my cabbages in and I would reccommend watering first so the potting media stays together when you slide the lid off. It worked perfect.

As mmm said, you will want a some what large container so you can get the vine through.

I have pics in my diary of the cat litter buckets. Any bucket with a lid should work just fine.You'll just need to cut the bottom off.
Lee

4/9/2010 7:31:39 PM

Rochester, MN

MMM is correct...I use a 1gal+ plastic ice cream bucket...and keep the lid on(now the bottom) and cut the bottom open(now the top) and fill it up...and then just open the lid and drop the plant into the hole when ready...it can be tricky if the vine is 2-3 ft....however, I think I stunt them a bit still..so I've started later this year and shouldn't have more than 1ft vine this year. This is similiar to the cat litter bucket Lee is doing. Also a key with watermelons...DO NOT OVERWATER at this stage.

4/9/2010 8:36:45 PM

Denver, Co.

So do we not need to worry about the plants becoming root bound while growing in a pot for so long? ( The way the AGs will outgrow a 1 gal pot in a couple of weeks?)

4/11/2010 12:25:15 AM

formerly RGG

Geting rootbound is a possibility. That is why you should use big pots and get the plants into the ground as early as weather permits.

4/11/2010 8:42:18 AM