Dense Planting Illustrated - WARNING - Pic Heavy! Latest video 3/17 - transplanting - Page 10

FarmerCathy · March 24, 2009

What temp do you bring your plants in since you put them out after a few days?

My seedlings are doing great, but something ate three trays of seedlings on the bottom shelf of my seedling rack. OMG!

Everything above that shelf are thriving. Something is coming in at night and eating the tops off. Any suggestions of what to do. I'm almost afraid to put them outside (atleast the ones that are doing ok). I need the money from selling these and its giving me a headache that something is eating them.

**nctomatoman** · March 24, 2009

Once they are acclimated to full sun, I leave them outside unless it is going to go to 32-33 degrees, or there is a very cold strong wind. The thing to watch is the speed that they dry out in full fun with such dense planting! I end up watering twice a day (the plants let you know if they are dry, and they perk up quickly....but you can let them go too far, so need to be careful)/\.

FarmerCathy · March 24, 2009

Yeah, I remember last year how fast they dried out, but those had bad soil and never grew past 2 inches. I was afraid I put them out too soon, but called the company and they said they had a bad batch. So, I went back to the soil I had used years before. I just wanted to make sure I do it right this time, because my living depends on them since I'm selling them and selling at Farmers' Market this year.

Polar_Lace · March 24, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerCathy

My seedlings are doing great, but something ate three trays of seedlings on the bottom shelf of my seedling rack. OMG!

Everything above that shelf are thriving. Something is coming in at night and eating the tops off. Any suggestions of what to do. I'm almost afraid to put them outside (atleast the ones that are doing ok). I need the money from selling these and its giving me a headache that something is eating them.

I think that problem is do to mice getting in, they move around alot at night. If it were something bigger; they would've knocked the other plants down. Bugs move rapidly through plants too.

Could you have some slugs in your garage?

Possible measures: 1 2 3 4 Steel Wire, gauge 1/2 inch. Aluminum screening over them works too.

~* Robin

FarmerCathy · March 24, 2009

I haven't seen mice or slug tracks. I was thinking maybe earwigs. I will find out tonight with my video camera. I will catch them buggers!

eddie46 · March 24, 2009

I don't think earwigs eat plants.
Ed

Polar_Lace · March 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie46

I don't think earwigs eat plants.
Ed

Eddie, Read This 3/4 down the page; It begins with, "But there is that big "However" "

~* Robin

eddie46 · March 25, 2009

Hi Robin,
I stand corrected. I was not aware they would eat a flat of seedlings.
Ed

the999bbq · March 25, 2009

my cat ate loads of my seedlings in the past...

FarmerCathy · March 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie46

I don't think earwigs eat plants.
Ed

They eat the leaves off of a lot of my plants, but not like this. It is a mouse. I put the night cam on it last night and 16 minutes after I left the seedlings I left as bait it came munching along. Plus it went on the washer and ate the rest of those too. Atleast now I know I can re-use those pots without worrying that a bug is stashed somewhere in them. Just have too keep everything off the floor until I can catch it.

justplayin123 · April 2, 2009

Can you start broccoli the same way?

hasshoes · April 6, 2009

Is it bad if you have a couple of long roots coming out of the bottom quite a while before you will be potting up?

**nctomatoman** · April 6, 2009

I do think you can start broccoli the same way, justinplay.

Not sure about the root thing - I've never left them long enough for that to happen....

hasshoes · April 6, 2009

Thanks for the input Craig. . . it's only been a week and a half. . . maybe it's because I put mix in old Burpee seed starting containers (the holes are kinda V shaped)?

Will it hurt them if I plop them in another container if they only have one true leaf started. . . or two SMALL true leaves?

Thanks a ton in advance!!!! :-D :-D :-D

justplayin123 · April 6, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by nctomatoman

I do think you can start broccoli the same way, justinplay.

We will find out soon! I have babies up!!

March 24, 2009	#136
FarmerCathy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 42	What temp do you bring your plants in since you put them out after a few days? My seedlings are doing great, but something ate three trays of seedlings on the bottom shelf of my seedling rack. OMG! Everything above that shelf are thriving. Something is coming in at night and eating the tops off. Any suggestions of what to do. I'm almost afraid to put them outside (atleast the ones that are doing ok). I need the money from selling these and its giving me a headache that something is eating them. __________________ Gardening in suburbia, but going back to the farm this spring to plant LOTS of Tomaters.

March 24, 2009	#137
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Once they are acclimated to full sun, I leave them outside unless it is going to go to 32-33 degrees, or there is a very cold strong wind. The thing to watch is the speed that they dry out in full fun with such dense planting! I end up watering twice a day (the plants let you know if they are dry, and they perk up quickly....but you can let them go too far, so need to be careful)/\. __________________ Craig

March 24, 2009	#138
FarmerCathy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 42	Yeah, I remember last year how fast they dried out, but those had bad soil and never grew past 2 inches. I was afraid I put them out too soon, but called the company and they said they had a bad batch. So, I went back to the soil I had used years before. I just wanted to make sure I do it right this time, because my living depends on them since I'm selling them and selling at Farmers' Market this year. __________________ Gardening in suburbia, but going back to the farm this spring to plant LOTS of Tomaters.

March 24, 2009	#140
FarmerCathy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 42	I haven't seen mice or slug tracks. I was thinking maybe earwigs. I will find out tonight with my video camera. I will catch them buggers! __________________ Gardening in suburbia, but going back to the farm this spring to plant LOTS of Tomaters.

April 6, 2009	#147
hasshoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MT Posts: 438	Is it bad if you have a couple of long roots coming out of the bottom quite a while before you will be potting up? __________________ Sara

March 24, 2009	#141
eddie46 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SW PA Posts: 160	I don't think earwigs eat plants. Ed

March 25, 2009	#143
eddie46 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SW PA Posts: 160	Hi Robin, I stand corrected. I was not aware they would eat a flat of seedlings. Ed

March 25, 2009	#144
the999bbq Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 191	my cat ate loads of my seedlings in the past...

April 2, 2009	#146
justplayin123 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 10	Can you start broccoli the same way?

April 6, 2009	#148
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	I do think you can start broccoli the same way, justinplay. Not sure about the root thing - I've never left them long enough for that to happen.... __________________ Craig

April 6, 2009	#149
hasshoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MT Posts: 438	Thanks for the input Craig. . . it's only been a week and a half. . . maybe it's because I put mix in old Burpee seed starting containers (the holes are kinda V shaped)? Will it hurt them if I plop them in another container if they only have one true leaf started. . . or two SMALL true leaves? Thanks a ton in advance!!!! :-D :-D :-D __________________ Sara