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maine USA

I am approaching the time that I need to my seeds started, but I still have snow on my patch, with a nor'easter to begin in a few hours.
So there is the extreme possibility that I won't be able to have my patch #2 ready by planting time.
I do realize that it is best not to allow my plants to become pot bound, but given that nature doesn't seem very cooperative. If I start the seeds on time, they may need to stay in the pots for a while.
I do have tree size landscape pots. So what is the maximum amount of time would that it would be safe to leave the plants in the pots without setting the plants back? thanks KathyT

4/15/2007 12:04:06 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I'd delay the seed start. Roots fill pots (even big ones) too fast for comfort. One week is the maximum here even in the 16" deep tubes.

4/15/2007 2:35:22 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

What happends if a pumpkin plant becomes root bound? JUST curious. I know tree roots can trangle a plant if left too long in the pot.

4/15/2007 3:00:22 PM

ordinary,VA

Kathy take a old 2-liter bottle cut the top off and make holes in the bottom.
than start a test seed this way you see how fast the roots grow.

4/15/2007 4:30:52 PM

New Brunswick

Kathyt. I am not far from Maine and I am delaying my start. With this storm bearing down I wont be on the patch for 10 to 14 days I figure. My ground is still frozen too. Seed started now will be root bound for sure. Any gain will probably be lost with transplanting as well.

4/15/2007 6:16:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Typically Cucurbits don't like any root disturbance so many are directly started in the ground. Since we're trying to jump the season we all try to start early under controlled conditions. Way root-bound plants never do as well it seems.

4/15/2007 9:50:42 PM

maine USA

Yes you all have pretty much confirmed what I already thought. I was really hoping that you all would tell me something different though! LOL thanks KathyT

4/15/2007 11:53:03 PM

Moodus, Connecticut

I have a slightly different problem to deal with. I live in Connecticut and am facing the same noreaster. Around here the storm is nothing but heavy rain and my garden is under water. My seeds are in their pots and I'd planned to plant them sometime next week. Now the dirt has tuned to mud and I'm out of luck. Oh wells, all you can do is your best.

4/16/2007 10:52:17 AM

maine USA

Moodussnare, is there no way that you can drain the patch. My patch would be a pond a good part of every spring, and after every heavy rain in the summer, if it weren't for my hand dug drainage ditches, it would be hopeless. Kathyt

4/16/2007 3:19:45 PM

President - GPC

Kathy,
Thats one thing I noted last year in my patches was that the plants main roots had gone roundy round in the peat pot befroe taking off.. So this year I made those Steve Z's 12" deep pots. I learned in Niagara that the plants should be put in the ground as soon as the first true leaf shows....no longer than 10 days, even if that long.... I didnt do that last year, so I think that was my problem.....Timing is everything. This year we will see. Good Luck

4/16/2007 3:40:37 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

From what I've seen and read here, everyone seems to be anxious to get the season started. Been a long winter here, too, but planting date in the midwest and northeast needn't occur before May 1. Dates are more typically May 7-10. Even then, there is still a frost danger. These dates will usually result in pollination by the Fourth of July.

4/16/2007 7:09:45 PM

Jericho Vermont

Kathy,
The bigger the plant the more easily hurt during transplanting. My starting date is still on for this Saturday as I will have my hoops sitting on the planting spots then too. By the time I need to plant the ground under the hoops should be fine with my soil cables and heat lamps at night. I may have to do the full patch till after the plants are in, but I have had to do that in the past. In my opinion it is always better to wait than to keep in pots for more than a week. Each day the plant is in a pot after the first true leaf makes for a riskier transplant. Lets hope it will dry out for us and have a warm summer in the northeast.
John

4/16/2007 8:06:42 PM

maine USA

Ditto on that John, thanks a bunch

4/16/2007 10:34:22 PM