Re: seedling comparisions

From: Kathy Haggstrom <hagg@alaska.net>

> From: "J.F. Hensler" <hensler@povn.com>
> The ones that were planted directly last fall, are at best about 4" tall
(Sibs,
> species, TBs). Those that were started in the house in March are at least a
year
> ahead of the others. A few of the taller species and Sibs now measure over 20"
> tall and a respectable percentage of all of these seedlings are already
showing
> side fans. 
> On a whim, I lifted a few of the beardless seedlings that had been seeded
> directly (some of the weakest of the lot) and transplanted to pots with
sterile
> potting medium. These "vacationed" in a shaded greenhouse for about a month
and
> a half while I cleared an area for them.
> Though, not as impressive as the ones that were started indoors, they've
passed
> their siblings in size. 
> I'm absolutely astounded at the difference this has made. Though it's
certainly
> a lot more work, the results are well worth it.

Christy -

This is a very interesting comparison, and I would love more information
on your procedure. Were the seeds started indoors in March LEFT inside
or did you transplant the seedlings to the ground, or to other pots, or
kept in the original sprouting pots?

Also, where did setosas fit into this pattern you saw ? Anything that
gets an extra year's growth on seedlings is of great value! I have
always seeded into pots in the fall and placed them outdoors to let the
winter work on them. The seeds usually start sprouting the next spring
around the very last frosts, or even a little later (May/June).

It may be a lot more work, but as you say, the results seem well worth
it, if you are trying to accelerate seedling maturity.

Kathy Haggstrom
Anchorage, Alaska USA/Zone 3


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