First container garden going slooowly

16 years ago

**I posted this message the other day but for some reason I am not able to post a follow-up message. The area at the bottom for follow-up doesn't show up. Here it is again.**

I planted from seed for my first time. I had all my seedlings to about 1-2 inches by 2nd week of April. I planted my first ones into containers (again for my first time) about 1 month ago. In that one month, I have seen no growth other then some of my zukes have flowered, only to lose them, which I understand can be normal.

I have 3 types of tomato, two types of peppers, cukes and zukes. I moved them from the starter trays to beer type cups with Al's 5-1-1 mix and then into containers with the 5-1-1 mix. I didn't add any CRF to top of container, mainly because I didn't know what to use at the time. I added lime to my first batch of container mix but now see I used pelletized lime. Not sure if that is the same or not, but the bag doesn't say anything about dolomite on it.

I have fertilized about every 3-4 weeks with a weak solution at first of MG 15-30-15. I have since bought MG 24-8-16 but have not used it yet.

The weather started out fairly warm for May in MN. It has since cooled off from the 50's at night to 70's at day.

Any advice I can get to move my plants along would be appreciated.

Here is a photo of my first containers with 2 zukes, a cuke and a tomato. This is how they have looked for a month.

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Here are my cups that haven't been planted yet. Shouldn't they be bigger then they are after 2 months of growth?

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Comments (5)

bacon13
Original Author
16 years ago
* Posted by dickiefickle 5B Dousman,Wi. (My Page) on Fri, Jun 11, 10 at 3:57
"Plants in cups seem water logged . are you setting plants in the sun ? let them ALL dry out for a while."

I had just watered them prior to taking the photo. They are outside 24/7 unless it gets windy or rains. I also had them under grow lights up til I put them outside.
prestons_garden
16 years ago
Are there holes in the bottom of the cups and containers outside? I had to ask because it looks like the plants soil is over saturated (appearance of plants) even though you had just waterd. Start off by drilling larger holes in the bottom and suspend the containers on bricks or what ever you can find to let the water drain. If you want maximum plant growth you need to keep the potting mix moisture within the Field Capacity. When transfering new seedlings outside, start them off in a shaded area and gradually introduce them to direct sunlight. Perhaps Al will direct you to his "Soil retentionX" guide, if I got that right, will explain the Field Capacity in more detail.
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terrybull
16 years ago
too much white! replace covers with black covering and check soil temp difference.
bacon13
Original Author
16 years ago
I have numerous holes on the bottom of the cups. The drainage seems to be fine. I have the cups in trays that allow drainage.

I have already hardened them outside and am leaving them out 24/7.

I will try to test the soil temps with a change to black plastic.

Anyone have any comments on adding a CRF to the top of each container? I do have MG and could just go that route via water.
dickiefickle
16 years ago
Purple stem,yellow leaves,slow growth point to too much watering