oh, btw, I'm only just seeing the first little hints of true leaves on any of these (though naustaurium is tough to tell as it looks like a regular pointed leave rather than rounded coyteldons for their first set).

I should probably wait until there is an established first set of true leaves before doing anything?

its weird, these guys are HUGE.

Yep, squash family members are fast growers! ;) Same for the nasturtiums. Usually they are direct seeded in the garden but since you already have these, yes you can transplant them. It will be easier to do if you can wait for the true leaves but it is possible to do now - just be more careful with them.

Since you also need to slow them down a bit till garden time, I would suggest you go first to a smaller container than a 16 oz cup - try a 8oz. foam coffee cup instead - and then move them to a cooler environment if you can to slow them down.

As to feeding, since they have no true leaves developed yet they really don't need anything right now and feeding will only make them bigger and more prone to transplant shock come garden time. I'd hold off on feeding them but if you do then yes, go with a very dilute 1/4 strength and skimp on using it. ;)

Good luck.

Dave

great suggestions, great help, thank you so much!!!

btw, why foam over plastic? insulating properties? just curious.... thank you!

No difference just that the foam coffee cups are the right size and more readily available - least down here. ;)

Dave

It has been my experience that squash plants which are transplanted after they get true leaves get stunted, and are overtaken by direct-seeded seeds planted later. You may do better with transplanted melons, and will probably be OK with the nasturtiums. Plant your peas out to the garden.

Next year, try Root Trainers for your larger seeds, and try not to jump the gun too much on the squashes. I plant squashes out as soon as the seed leaves emerge, and even then I am careful while transplanting. See the link. The T&M version comes with a one-piece frame and a lid you can use for bottom watering. Park sells a cheaper version with no lid, and the frame sometimes comes unsnapped.

Here is a link that might be useful: root trainers

Speaking of "jumping the gun", I have a small issue myself. I started these watermelons way to early. Not sure what I was thinking because I know better. I think spring fever got the best of me. I also have cukes that are even bigger and now are looking for something to climb on. Its going to be a while before I can plant outside. Not sure what's going to happen to these guys. I may have to put them in huge pots with cages,but that will be permanent.
{{gwi:227467}}

carolyn, thanks... neat product!

well, my squashes were pushing up the roof of the baby greenhouse, so I decided to repot... from the way they were smashed on the roof, seemed like the only reasonable thing to do as I'm a ways from planting out...

well.... HOLY ROOT SYSTEM!!!! I could not believe it, I thought the green stuff above ground was large at 4-5", the roots were pushing 10" on some of them! It looked like hairy spaghetti!

Did my best not to touch or disturb the roots in any way, hope I didn't stress them too much.

wish me luck.