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| I got some starter plugs on perenials like Cardinal flowers. I was wondering if it would be better (survival-wise) if I planted them in some pots and let the grow a bit bigger before transplanting them into their actual location?
Paul |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by echinaceamaniac 7 (My Page) on Mon, May 7, 12 at 5:45
| I think it's best to grow them in pots first. The root will dry out too fast if you plant in the ground at first. |
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| Well, yes and no. It depends a lot on the quality of the location they will be planted in, and on your level of care. If the site they will be in is first-rate with ideal soil, moisture, etc., I'd save the extra bother and expense (soil, pots) and just plant them out. If you think conditions could be less than ideal, it might be better to pot them up and let them get stronger and larger. |
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| It depends on what you are like as a gardener. I have soil that has ample organic matter, fertility, and moisture as well as great drainage, and at this time of year we have regular rain. I am not so great on remembering to water pots if things get busy at work. So I know from past sad experience that my plants will fare far better if I plant them directly where I want them to grow ultimately. I have done this both with liner size shrubs (rooted cuttings) and plug perennials. I don't lose even tiny starter plants that way, but it does seem that I am in the minority in using this strategy. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Mon, May 7, 12 at 8:11
| why do you use the term PLUG ... in the greenhouse world.. that means a one centimeter square plug .. in trays of 100 to 250.. or whatever.. and they are PLUGGED into cell packs ... and grown in the greenhouse for a month or two .. until they are ready for retail ... those can NOT go in the ground..as they are probably less than a half inch tall ... if you are talking large cell pack plants... your concern.. is planting 4 to 6 weeks before the real heat of summer hits... if you pot them.. then they would remain potted until fall .. cool nights.. for planting in the ground ... ergo.. the issue is.. how long do you want to fool around with pots.. this quandary is another good reason to have a small HOLDING BED [critical care unit, in a hospital] ... where small things can get the extra TLC.. but you dont have to mess with pots.. which eventually get forgotten in my world.. lol ... plugs or cell packs??? ken |
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- Posted by nevermore44 (My Page) on Mon, May 7, 12 at 10:29
| Since I am not that best at keeping pots evenly watered during the heat of summer, i typically plant out my seedlings direct in the garden. They are just in the standard 2x2 peat pots. If you are talking about true nursery plugs... i would pot them up for a bit. The few things i do to help the transition is to minimally tear off the top portion of the peat pot so that the rim doesn't protrude from the soil. If the peat pot is exposed to the air... it can act as a wick for water.. which then can dry out the roots more quickly compared to the surrounding soil. Depending on the plant, i may or may not break up the rest of the peat pot that ends up below the surface of the soil. I also make sure that i add on some fine soil on top to completely cover the soilless mix that the seedling was grown in... again.. i don't want the air to quickly dry out the soilless mix. |
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