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#1
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Capsicum, when to plant on...
Hi,
My Anaheim and Hungarian Hot Wax seeds have progressed far better than expected. Most are just starting to develop a second set of leaves. I understand that once this 2nd set is established I should plant on. Would a 3 inch pot be OK for the next growth?? and after that a 6 inch pot for final growth?? Why do some plants need potting on in stages? Is this to add new compost or control its root. Kind Regards Brian |
#2
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Capsicum, when to plant on...
"tvrchimaera" wrote in message ... Hi, My Anaheim and Hungarian Hot Wax seeds have progressed far better than expected. Most are just starting to develop a second set of leaves. I understand that once this 2nd set is established I should plant on. Would a 3 inch pot be OK for the next growth?? and after that a 6 inch pot for final growth?? As you probably already know, when handling seedlings only ever touch the leaves. Never the delicate stem. 3in. will be o.k. next. Depending on how much trouble you like to take, you can then go to a four, or five inch pot, then after that a six inch pot. The size of the final pot will depend on how well the plants are growing - which depends on what conditions they're growing in, how much heat, light and nutrient they're getting, and when they were started. For sweet caps, I've gone on to a 9 inch pot and even bigger. But then most caps are actually perennials, if grown under the right conditions in any case. They can even be overwintered indoors as a novelty if nothing else. When potting on, first water the compost in the old pot beforehand so it sticks together better. Then, using an old spare pot as a template, make a pot shaped void in the compost in the new pot. Basically hold the old pot in postion, and fill the new pot by trickling the compost over the top and around the sides, then wiggle the old pot about, to firm up the shape of the void in the new pot before withdrawing it. Making sure there's no gaps at the bottom. Then, using a bit of cardboard with a slot cut in it to accomodate the stem, place that on top of the compost in the odd pot. Put your fingers on either side of the stem. Then tip it upside down with the cardboard and compost resting on your fingers. And then, taking your time, and tipping over the new pot slightly in the other hand gently, slide it into place. Once you get the hang of this, potting-on won't seem such a chore. .... Why do some plants need potting on in stages? Is this to add new compost or control its root. .... According to some posts on here, it's to do with moisture distribution and prevents plants sitting in wet compost. However in my experience: when you grow plants in too large a pot, the roots will always make a bee line for the edges of the pot and you get a largely hollow rootspace. Lots of roots around the edges and nothing in the middle. Whereas if you pot on in stages, you get more layers of concentrated root growth, so the whole root space is much more evenly filled, each successive stage having grown into fresh compost. michael adams .... Kind Regards Brian -- tvrchimaera |
#3
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Quote:
http://www.thechileman.org/guide_home.php and for more detail follow discussions he http://www.chillisgalore.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php (when it comes back to life) Basically the reason for potting them on in stages is that they don't take up the water in the compost if you put them in a huge pot, while they are still small, so they might suffer root rot. You can cut down on some repotting by sowing them one seed to a 3-inch pot in the first place, fair enough if you are expecting a high germination rate. Also they hate having their roots intefered with, so try not to disturb the soil around their roots. |
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