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West Sacramento Ca.

I hate to ask this but I'm going too anyway.
Is it ok the plant the pumpkins in 6 inch peat pots directly into the ground without removing the pot?

5/10/2015 2:40:36 PM

Rapid City, SD

not a good idea....roots need to stretch out, not fight to get through peat pot

5/10/2015 2:43:49 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Agreed with Matt. They'll make it through eventually but that is lost time they could really be taking off. I'd rather rip a couple of roots taking it off then keep them in the pot

5/10/2015 2:48:19 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Dang it! I always have ripped them up in the past but I just plain forgot this morning! Thanks I'll go rip em up.

5/10/2015 3:28:35 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes rip them off

5/10/2015 4:53:37 PM

East Jordan, MI

well im late to answer but I agree totally, never leave them on, you will find an intact pot at the end of the year with a bigger mass of roots on the inside than the out.

5/10/2015 7:57:20 PM

Grant, AL

How much will putting plant in ground in peat pots take away from performance? I planted several in peat in ground about 3 weeks ago. Is there any way to remedy this mistake after several weeks in ground without greatly damaging plant?

5/10/2015 10:48:26 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I always poke a bunch of holes in my peat pots with a nail and keep them moist. When I plant I have lots of roots coming out. I tear off the pot down to the roots and leave the rest. If you leave any of the pot above the ground they will dry out and limit the roots. At the end of the season the remains of the peat pots are totally broken down and I see no evidence of restricted rooting.

5/10/2015 11:12:53 PM

Grant, AL

After plants are in the ground could you take something thin like a metal skewer and avoiding stem poke holes in sides of pot to free up roots or would this hurt more than helping?

5/10/2015 11:36:01 PM

Ohio

Its really all about moisture. If there is a dry spot in the peat, it will constrain roots. You just water the top of the peat pot until all of it is completely saturated before planting, then dig planting hole, fill the planting hole with 6-8" water and let drain (similar to how trees are planted). Roots have no problems getting through peat at all if its wet. Anyone who waters peat pots fully, knows this, you can see roots easily coming out. If two containers touch they will even root into each other. Its all about making sure there are no dry spots on the peat (or air pockets inside) before planting.

5/11/2015 2:25:56 AM

New England

i rip off the bottom and rip off sections of the sides and then plant

5/11/2015 9:22:31 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Roots do grow through peat pots, but I'd bet the house that roots growing unrestricted will spread much faster than the ones that are forced to grow through the compacted barrier (the pot). Even if its a week, that's a lot of rooting lost before pollination.

5/11/2015 9:49:22 AM

Upa Creek, MO

It's like a muffler vs a straight pipe

5/11/2015 9:50:18 AM

West Sacramento Ca.

I have 4 plants still unplanted and the peat pots are completely saturated and have damp soil around them. Will closely examine
Them then make a decision! Charles if it's been three weeks and you have been watering adequately I would not tough your plants. I think you will do more root damage than just letting them grow now.

5/11/2015 10:27:36 AM

West Sacramento Ca.

If I can post pics to a grower diary from a I Phone I'll start one and put up some pictures.

5/11/2015 10:30:08 AM

Ohio

I suppose it depends on the brand of peat pot and what they are actually made of, but roots certainly grow through all peat pots I have used, extremely easily! You should see roots coming through the walls before you plant. I sure do. Jiffy and Burpee make good peat pots that roots have no problems getting through. As long as soil is firmly packed into them (no air pockets) and it is moist.

5/11/2015 5:56:28 PM

Ohio

Just look if there are any roots coming through walls of the peat before planting, if not, tear away those segments. I do that as well. Little holes tore in places where roots aren't coming out is fine, I poke holes all over peat pots before planting sometimes, although roots come through the peat just as much as they come out through the holes. It helps with drainage and aeration though.

5/11/2015 5:59:56 PM

Omaha, Ne.

How about the cow pie pots :-)

5/11/2015 8:54:58 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Wish I had some !

5/11/2015 10:40:49 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Air pots make a propagation cell.. Simply amazing... I'm sure my 2 cents are late.. I start all my competition plants in them...

5/11/2015 10:48:55 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

What's an air pot?

5/12/2015 3:22:58 AM

Alberta

Plastic pot can be reused, therefore this discussion is over for me cept, pot size or structure of said pot is not important to me, time in pot is...when you know its a first true leaf, plant out!

5/12/2015 3:52:48 AM

Alberta

AKA: Thanks Don Young for getting me the Alberta record!

5/12/2015 3:56:07 AM

Muddy Waters

Dont agree windy city.I will plant some huge plants this week.That most would call root bound.Watch my diary They will do good this year.Small plants will get a slower start.The old root bound thing is a old wives tale in my opinion.The only reason Im posting this is dont rush out and put a plant in the ground if the weather is lousy.leave it in the pot.The plant will grow better in the pot then cold mud.This is just for newbies you old guys can do what you like.I will plant my root bound 2036 & 1362 squash today as the rain has stopped plus the 1768 Clementz.Big Roots Big Fruits!!

5/12/2015 7:50:03 AM

Bethlehem CT

I agree Bubba.

5/12/2015 8:37:27 AM

Alberta

Heat cables and a hoop out early ..then there is no mud and ground is warm

5/12/2015 12:29:24 PM

Muddy Waters

I have had it stay cold & muddy for a month So a little hoop house didnt do much here Muddy waters,But still the small plants dont fair as well as a big plant.Plantem big!!

5/12/2015 7:54:19 PM

East Jordan, MI

Sorry Mark, I have to disagree, if you are prepared setting them out immediately will get them off to a better start than holding them in a pot for weeks.

Set out day (2 may)
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=236346

10 days later (tonight)
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=237055

and they are just getting warmed up. Wait until they lay down. Hang on, it's going to be a wild ride!

5/12/2015 9:30:49 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Go get it any way you can!!!

5/12/2015 11:51:48 PM

Muddy Waters

I Disagree Cecil I have set small plants out to watch them struggle.Meanwhile the backups are growing in like gangbusters in there pots.A week to 10 days later.I plant the big plant older 4 or 5 leaves.It does much better & grows to pollination first.The problem is there is a happy medium.Bu the newbie takes this info to the extreme & plants a little plant in fear of the roots hitting the side walls of plant.Time will tell I will see you at the scales,Good Luck to all.

5/13/2015 6:50:22 AM

Alberta

Controlling the climate for small plants can't be ignored you will need heat cables,lights on a thermostat (set at 85)and a large enough hoop that rain water does not flow under (small mound raised a couple inches will accomplish this)..I only posted this because the newbies don't need misinformation!

5/13/2015 11:38:23 AM

East Jordan, MI

Not trying to start a war of words here.

I don't disagree that planting in cold mud is a bad idea and a plant will do better in the house instead of in cold mud. But what I said was "if you are prepared setting them out immediately will get them off to a better start than holding them in a pot for weeks."

Everyone has a different climate, different soil types, different circumstances, and we all have to find what works for us, but I would rather plant 2 weeks later, than keep a plant in the house for 3 weeks and then set it out.

Keeping a plant in a pot too long will affect it. I have done several trials with this, starting plants at the same time, putting out a small one early and holding the other to transplant later. As well as starting one earlier and keeping it in the pot for 2 weeks then planting another and setting them both out the same day a week later into the same environment (both very early, very cold and normal temps) -- see my 2014 diary in March for one example. There was a marked difference in roots at the end of the trial as well as the overall growth of the plants. The smaller transplants always out performed the plant that was allowed to get big before transplant.

5/13/2015 9:15:50 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes I had talk to a few newbies who were so worried about the root bound thing they were going to set them out in cold ground without cables & such.Not a big deal to let a plant grow big in the bag.I will plant several tomorrow that are vining out in the bag.There huge.One is the 1362 Pugh squash.My goal this year is to win the Squash (GPC)division & the (GPC)Giant pumpkin contest.The others are my 1768 & Petes 2036.Watch what they grow this year.I will post pics when I plant them.(with out cables)I know Chad Gehweiler keeps his plants in the grow bags for a month.He grew a 1882.Just dont like to see people panic,when theres no need for it.

5/13/2015 9:15:59 PM

Muddy Waters

funny I posted 9 seconds after you.lol I had no idea you were posting Cecil.I have had the opposite experience as you. My big plants do better.

5/13/2015 9:18:23 PM

East Jordan, MI

Well Mark, it seems to me like you just acknowledged that if you are going to plant a big plant and it do well, you need a BIG pot (bag) not a root bound plant in a small pot...so which is it?
"The old root bound thing is a old wives tale in my opinion"
or
"Not a big deal to let a plant grow big in the bag"?

They are not the same thing.

5/14/2015 8:02:22 PM

Bethlehem CT

BIg plants in big pots, that is what I was talking about when I said I agreed with Mark. I would not want a large vining plant in a 6" pot.

5/14/2015 8:33:46 PM

Muddy Waters

Is this plant root bound Cecil?

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=237148 I want to define root bound for the new grower.In my not so humble opinion This plant is at its prime to go in the ground.1 more week and it would be hindered,as the roots pile up.but right now these massive roots will take off like a rocket sled on ice.Time will tell if Bubbas BIG ROOTS BIG FRUITS theory is right.Not looking for a war on words.Just keeping it defined to the new & old grower.What do you mean?? Root Bound??I need we need to explain more in detail.Just keeping it real dawg!Bubba Jackson.lol

5/15/2015 7:08:40 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

interesting!! Not sure on the whole root bound thing but i do know that i do not like the look of plants that size lying on their side Mark.Nice to see something different for a change!! You pull a new PB off this year and you have my utmost respect. Good Luck!

5/15/2015 4:55:28 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

looks like good support for the main though.....

5/15/2015 7:03:20 PM

Muddy Waters

There standing up today I will post a pic.You cant keep a good plant down.lol

5/15/2015 7:59:36 PM

East Jordan, MI

Root bound means the pot out grew the container. A different definition is you can see more roots than dirt. Typically, you will see that roots are not bright white anymore (because they get dry and warm next to the container). While we are point out that we are trying to help newbies, most of them than I see pictures of are in 3-5 inch peat pots (which was the beginning of this thread) not 3 gallon pots/bags.

To answer your question, IMO that one is close, you really will never know if it met its full potential. If you grow a 2300 lb pumpkin on it, you will never know if you could have grown a 2500 lbr if the roots had not wadded up in mass and were able to keep going sideways or had not disturbed (bruised/smashed/broke) them during transplant.

5/15/2015 8:17:18 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

you just transplanted yesterday according to your diary mark? Are they standing on their own??

5/15/2015 8:31:09 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

please post tomorrow...lol

5/15/2015 8:40:22 PM

East Jordan, MI

my post should have said root bound means plant out grew the container. I really need an edit button ken lol

5/15/2015 9:43:49 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes Carl They stood up and are standing on there own I did nothing to the plant since I walked away from it 24 hrs earlier.Thanks for posting Cecil & defining root bound.So I think really it should be called root out bound,not root bound.lol
I like the 2300 to 2500 comparison.I use the same thing on many on my analogy's Its funny how one guy thinks a certain thing is helping but it really isnt its a hindering.Here is one example.Chopping up good leaves and tilling them in your soil.Not a good thing to do.It is a scientific mistake,It will tie up your nutrients to break the matter down,for quite a while.Even doing this in the fall is a bad idea.Break the leafs down first then put in the soil.I think people who do this? There 1300 lber could of been 1500 lbs.I love the analogy.Thanks again Cecil

5/16/2015 7:38:17 AM

Muddy Waters

& if I grow a 2300 lber Cecil .I will slap in the old Bubba choppers & get a photo of me kissing you right square on the lips.Saying You was right it could of been 2500.lol JK Having fun!

5/16/2015 7:45:56 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I feel like you two should hug it out... Lol.... Root bound or not let's all grow some monster this year and not worry about peat pots anymore.

5/16/2015 9:42:06 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Growzem big all

5/16/2015 9:42:57 AM

Muddy Waters

A group hug would be best Lets all form a circle.You in GarrY?

5/16/2015 4:47:34 PM

East Jordan, MI

sigh
ok mark, yet once again I have to disagree. maybe because my climate is WAY warmer than yours, but adding leaves in the fall does NOT tie up our N in the spring. Mostly because we also add a N source and the soil is warm enough to consume them (they are a carbon source). They are gone LOMG before its time to plant. Many better growers than I have been adding leaves in the fall with great success for years. Please open your mind and realize that making definitive statement effect the people that are trying to figure out what to do and what not to do is very confusing. There is no recipe that works in every climate. Each person has to figure out what helps and hurts them.

5/16/2015 10:53:16 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I have to agree with Cecil. If done right, the pros out weigh the cons. I would not only use leaves, but combined with a source of nitrogen they are broken down by spring.

5/16/2015 11:19:47 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

good stuff Cecil! I am looking sooooo forward to this years results:)))

5/17/2015 6:12:22 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Back too the original text.unburried 4 peat pots with pumpkins in them for at least. 10 or 12 days. Always take the dang peat pots off!!!!
A few roots growing thru weak spots or over the top but they are having a hell of a time getting thrue that crap ;and they were very wet!!!
That settles that issue for me . Thanks you growers.

5/18/2015 11:07:21 PM

Germany

...and after more than 50 entries of discussion of that problem I can only post a hint at how I treat my seedlings from germination until they go into the patch. Never had any peat pot problem so far :-)

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=196308

5/19/2015 2:32:33 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Told you that in the 2nd post, Scott. lol

5/19/2015 9:19:06 AM

West Sacramento Ca.

Yep!

5/19/2015 7:14:40 PM

East Jordan, MI

That has been my experience as well scott...

5/19/2015 8:36:25 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Ok I learned my lesson !!!

5/20/2015 12:56:52 AM