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Germany

For pumpkin seedlings (or any other plant that needs to be transplanted early) I would not use air pots. Check out my version of seed starting pots (other growers have similar ways), they allow for easy transplanting without disturbing the root zone, even if there isn´t a well-established root bale.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=196308

In case of air pots you would have to remove the whole thing first and then transplant the seeding into the soil. If there isn´t any decent root bale at this stage, the whole soil thing is at risk of falling apart, and with AG seedlings I would not want them to grow a dense root bale before I transplant them.

[Last edit: 04/11/25 12:35:20 PM]

4/11/2025 12:34:35 PM

Syracuse, NY

(*_*) eg

[Last edit: 04/11/25 4:30:50 PM]

4/11/2025 4:21:29 PM

Syracuse, NY

(*_*) eg

[Last edit: 04/11/25 4:31:11 PM]

4/11/2025 4:27:52 PM

Moscow, Russia

Thanks for the advice! I had my doubts about the roots in the air pots. So I won't take any chances.
I was thinking about this method with a cut pipe, but for carrots :) and now I'll try it for the giant pumpkin :)

4/12/2025 6:16:30 AM

Germany

Carrots is a good key word, I´m using the same method for carrots, too.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=214370

In the past few years I used the pipes for carrots without any kind of bottom plate (no paper, nothing), I just filled the soil into the pipes and placed them in a plastic box, so the roots can (if they like) grow a bit longer along the bottom of the plastic box...and then I can see that the time has come for transplanting the carrot seedlings.

4/12/2025 6:28:28 AM