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Every instruction on starting seeds says to use a peat pot for the beginning stage. Can somebody tell me what a peat pot does that a regular plastic pot doesn't? One more thing, although I know this is a really stupid question. Which end of the seed goes down? The pointy part, right?

Obviously a beginner... Thanx

2/21/2007 12:44:07 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Use an empty Ice crean container or something you can just slide the seedling out of. Here we use 5" PVC Tubes about 18" long.

2/21/2007 1:23:38 PM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

Pointy side down.

A peat pot allows the roots to grow through. You don't have to remove the plant from the pot to transplant it - the less you disturb the roots, the better. I start in a small peat pot, then plant that in a larger pot as the roots grow.

2/21/2007 1:46:20 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

i use a gallon milk container, then just slice it away come planting time

2/21/2007 4:36:42 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

Don't peat pots cause some root binding while the roots are trying to push through the pot?

2/21/2007 5:24:09 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Plant the seed horizontal or as it would lie if you dropped it. Have found that it helps to shed seed coat as it breaks thru the soil.

2/21/2007 8:28:21 PM

President - GPC

I second on the small peat pot, even with holes last year I found roots going roundy round....

2/22/2007 8:49:14 AM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

I've never had a problem with peat pots. Kept moist, they disintegrate rapidly, allowing unimpeeded root expansion. Try filling one with soil and keeping it moist. It won't be too long before you find that you can't lift or move it without the pot falling apart and soiling spilling out...

2/22/2007 10:27:39 AM

President - GPC

I think that was one of my problems of not keeping it moist enough.......

2/22/2007 10:33:45 AM

Burt NY

look at www.cowpots.com

2/22/2007 10:58:07 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I slice the peat pot with a box cutter, lightly all over the peat pot. A little messy sometimes but it works..

2/22/2007 12:10:56 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

Anybody looked at the starting pipes that Steve Z used for his pumpkins last year. The roots would be disturbed more than a peat pot but not that much if done right. Plus you can see when the roots get to the bottom. I was going to make a couple of these for myself this year.

2/22/2007 1:02:46 PM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

jesse: here's a link to the pots i made last year. they worked very well for me. the roots do not get disturbed at all when transplanting.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=46208

2/24/2007 6:02:26 AM

Mount Prospect,illinois

I plan on using the 4" peat pots this year and then transferring that to 1 gallon plastic nursery pots. I saw this on both Jim Beauchimins video as well as Joel Hollands video. It seems to be an easy way to start these things. I especially like the way you can transplant the seedling into the ground without really disturbing the roots using the nursery pot.

2/24/2007 8:13:25 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Steve that's a great idea. so simple

2/24/2007 12:23:42 PM

Antigonish,Nova Scotia,Canada

Patent-pending for those, Steve?....LOL..excellent stuff!
Bill

2/24/2007 12:31:38 PM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

yes good stuff but it wasn't my idea. i got the idea from this site. i can't remember who it was from. i will be using them for years to come.

2/24/2007 5:27:45 PM

President - GPC

Love those Steve, plan on making some up before the patent goes into effect....I need 10

2/26/2007 1:00:56 PM

Simi valley, ca

Iv always done good with the peat pots, But first id have to say usely our weather is warm & getting them in ground Imeaditaly is what i do ,iv found no matter size of container those roots will be hitting Imeaditaly ,, if i only wait a few days for direction of first true leaf , I can peal the peat pot apart & get it in ground ! Why wait 5-7 days ,??? when it could be in ground in a couple days ??? In 7 days my roots are probly several feet !!! ???

3/14/2007 10:51:10 PM