Re: help for long stems
In a message dated 5/13/2000 8:16:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
dewig1@excite.com writes:
<< I know this question is in discussion,but I have a couple questions on the
matter. I have 4 plants up all with a stem 3+ inches long and the seed
leaves are fully open with no true leaves yet. This is due to lack of light
on my part,they only got about half of the time they should of outside in
the sun on a daily basis. the stems are thick and appear healthy. I need to
transplant TODAY,as they have pushed roots through thier 4" peat pots. A
chance for more colder weather is on the way,so putting out in the patch is
not a option(besides it's too wet now.) Will it be okay to transplant them
to half gallon pots,put a small stake to hold the stem up,and get a 4' shop
light on them to increase the light they receive? And how long will I need
to leave the lights on if I can't get them outside? These are my first
seedlings,and I don't want to lose them,any help on this is appreciated!
>>
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Dewight and all.....I'm sure you will find just about everyone has an opinion
on this topic...some based upon experience,some on theory,and some based upon
"what they heard".....Here's my opinion for what its worth.....:
As soon as they pop out of the ground about 3/4 to 1 inch tall(including
seed coat) I put mine under a regular shop light about 3 inches from the
regular bulbs(I don't use the facy bulbs...just the ones that come with the 6
dollar 4 foot shoplight)...they tend to stop "reaching" for the light when
its this close and not too close to burn or harm the leaves.
If the stems are thick and appear healthy I wouldn't stake them. They will
only be under the lights for a short time until you get them outside so I
wouldn't imagine a full "canopy" of leaves straining the stem....and unless
you have a windy house then that wouldn't be a problem either....but I would
be VERY carefull during transplanting and carrying them outside...one gust
and snap!.
At this point I would transplant into a gallon container if outside isn't an
option just yet.I would slit the container in half so it could be peeled away
at transplant(tape it closed with masking tape...the cheap stuff so its half
disintegrated when its time to plant and easy to open up the two halves of
the container.)
I would slit the gallon pots vertically if they are peat pots to allow the
roots to get out once planted outside.I have seen peat pots not decompose
enough and roots going round and rounds inside them instead of being able to
grow down and out.
I turn my shop light on at 6:30am and off at 10:30 pm...it doesnt seem to
creat any problems for the plant. I choose to harden off the seedlings
outside after they've been planted in my climate.I use a shade cloth
initially during first exposure to real sun,and I cover the "closhe" with
blankets at night...with a light bulb for heat(I use a cardboard baffle
between the plant and the bulb to get the darkness they need at night while
still getting adequate heat).
Now I'm certainly not as an accomplished grower as Steve,nor do I have the
background or scientific expertise that Steve leads us to believe,and no,none
of my pumpkins were going to hit 900 lbs like his 300lber was,but this works
for me and is proven. You will see many ways to go on this subject...do what
you think will work...........Glenn
(personal best:568*squash...99
565*squash...99
550pkn..........99
590uow*squash........99
463*squash.........99
417pkn................99
418pkn..............98
319pkn..............98
309pkn..............99
(all over 300lbs and virus free)
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