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Fitchburg , MA

Last year, i started all my seeds from an article i found on this site:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=65

I felt things went well for me, but i'm seeing if there is a more conventional way because i havent seen this technique mentioned before. That's all.

I like the idea of not transplanting into a bigger container.

I started my seeds April 7th and put them in the hoop house on May4th.

Looking for ideas.

3/1/2021 5:43:25 PM

Syracuse, NY

Oooooohhhh - good place to plug my AGAR method:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=300830

Not a hijack because you were asking about a better way -
well, maybe not a better way but certainly different!
now - I've definitely taken note of the extra roots trying to form on SOME of my seedlings every year, but thus far I have not tried this method from Dsclatt in 2001 but definitely should, since right this minute is PRIME experimentation time for me and I suppose everybody.
Thing is, I'm not keen on spending the $$$ on extra electricity just YET;
Oh, I'll be a-sproutin' TONS, believe me!

Yeah, pumpkin plants do NOT enjoy being moved once growing, so, getting them out IN the patch for realzies is very important, within 10 days plus or minus of the moment of seed eruption or, @ the latest, upon first true leaf full deployment, JUST so the direction of growth is evident. So, ideally, 14 days max., unless the 'New World' is not ready - and I'M one to be talkin' smack here, lol...MINE never is!

The LONGER you keep them in pots of any kind, the longer it takes for them to regain their composure in situ. Unusually-good weather and an early seed-start would, in my case, be a double whammy in my favor.
The first weekend in May has always been my goal, with April 21st or sooner being 'Super Starting Day';

A month in any pot is too long - that's why growers transplant them in the first place anyway - because they've outgrown their peat pots, OR it's in an effort to see the strongest seedlings before a final decision is made.
I'm even debating doing away with peat pots as well, with my AGAR technique being able to provide a mix of seed starting mix PLUSSSSSSSSSSSSSS the AGAR... OKay - it's bedtime, but I hope I've not said TOO much. Later---eg

3/2/2021 12:23:11 AM

Grittyville, WA

Here is Ron W using the split in half & re-taped pot method, notice the taped half on the ground beside him.

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=254393

This looks very similar to one of the ways Joel Holland used to do it. I dont know if this is still the most common method.

3/2/2021 1:21:18 AM

Barrington N.S. Canada

l cut the bottom out of a kitty litter pail, put the cover on the pail, tape cover on with 2 pieces of packing tape, then fill pail with soil and plant seed,when put in ground dig a hole, remove tape, remove cover place hand over bottom of pail,place in the hole, put soil around pail and lift pail up and out. Soil in pail isn't disturbed. Works for me and can leave plant in pot longer.

3/2/2021 10:27:29 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Air Pots

3/9/2021 7:34:01 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Use bigger pots at the beginning and transplant earlier or start later. Otherwise you may be injuring the tap roots.

3/10/2021 8:40:24 AM