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Washington

But I didn't. Stupid! Now I have a healthy young seedling ready to put in the ground, but no idea how to do it!
It's in a plastic ~7 inch pot... any ideas on transferring to the garden without killing him?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
-k

5/9/2007 12:20:06 AM

porterville, calif.

Cut away the bottom of the pot. Slice each side down to the bottom.I have used a good pair of scrissors to do this. Make sure to water first that will help hold the soil together. Then just slide the plant away from the pot.
You might want to be right next to the hole you are going to plant it in so you don,t have to go far with the plant. Take your time with it and you should be ok. Good luck,Greg

5/9/2007 1:33:12 AM

If you have "hard pots" soak them well and carefully hold them upside down allowing the whole seed ball to drop in your hand between fingers on each side of the stem,,this should be done right at the planting hole. Then carefully with the free hand cupping the root mass get it in that hole. The key word here is "carefully", backfill the hole to the cots and you should be good to go.

5/9/2007 5:40:18 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Ditto the scissors of they're cheapo poly pots.

Dan has obviously developed the knack for inverting the pot & tapping the plant out. Cover the top of the pot with the young plant between fingers of one hand so the soil doesn't fall out all over the place. Then turn it over & gently wiggle, tap ot even push up through the drainage hole(s) until the pot starts sliding off the root ball.

5/9/2007 12:51:57 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

If they are hard plastic pots, I agree with Dan(unkadan). I tried cutting one of those hard ones, with a wire cutter, and it wasn't easy. I did what Dan recommends, and it worked fine. Just be careful, and make sure the soil is well moistened, so the soil all comes out together.

5/9/2007 12:58:15 PM

Minnesota

From a begginer here. Put a knife all around the sides, gently turn over while holding the base, around the plant, without moving it at all, slowly work it out, slow and gently, patiently, without doing to much damage if it occurs.

5/9/2007 9:24:32 PM

Washington

Thanks so much for all the help! I was going to try cutting the pot, but after reading everything here I ended up using Dan's method, and it worked just great. Now he's in the mound and looking perky.
Thanks again!
(You'll probably hear from me again really soon)
-K

5/10/2007 10:08:35 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Not sure of yer weather there, Kayti, but be sure to keep em damp at this early stage, dont over water em, but keep em moist...they will luv you as much as you luv them!!!! Peace, Wayne

5/10/2007 10:27:23 PM

President - GPC

Kayti,

What part of Washington are your from?

5/11/2007 9:10:56 AM

Washington

Mercer Island... On a good day, I get about 5 1/2 hours of sun, so I'm not going to be growing any giants. Doesn't mean I can't try tho!

And thanks for the advice, Wayne.
k

5/12/2007 12:13:31 PM

President - GPC

Good Luck to you!

5/14/2007 9:44:03 AM