someone wrote:
"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
Various authors and web sits suggest that sweetcorn be started off in
peat pots because it doesn't like root disturbance. However, Unwin's
seed packet just mentions "small pots".

Is the "root disturbance" just a gardeners myth? or can someone
point me to *authoritive* information?


We plant our sweetcorn in plastic plug trays of 10 x 15 units, where
each unit is about 3 cm square by 5 cm deep, e.g. quite small. After
the plants are about 5" high and the roots are starting to show
through the hole in the bottom of each plug, we stick a pencil up the
holes and push all the seedlings out onto another tray, then plants
them in our allotment. We've never had a problem with root
disturbance. Our only problem has been when the sowing medium gets
too damp, then the seeds will rot very easily before they sprout.
Consequently we have found a soil-based medium (e.g. John Innes #1 or
#2) is better than the peat-based multipurpose composts when first
sowing, as the multipurpose composts can be quite wet. We keep a
close eye on the soil and don't usually water at all for the first
week or so, only spraying the plugs a bit on top to keep them damp,
if the weather is very sunny.
HTH.

someone

Similar here........seeds planted in plug trays. When big enough to handle,
transfered to peat pots.
--
Pete C
London UK