Larry,

I use Rapid Rooter grow plus to get the seed started, then about 40 days later, they go out into "incubator" containers (15 per 'Tainer) where they will develop for about another 40 days, and then they will go into their final container.

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Raybo

Fulton, there's a very recent thread here on skipping the potting up step and I've linked to it below.

There are 58 responses and I'm sure you'll find some useful information in that thread.

Carolyn

Here is a link that might be useful: Skipping Potting Up Thread

I use Rapid Rooter grow plus to get the seed started, then about 40 days later, they go out into "incubator" containers (15 per 'Tainer) where they will develop for about another 40 days, and then they will go into their final container.

Ray - why would it take you 80 days to get transplants????

Dave

Dave,

As our climate in N. California is somewhat moderate, I start the seeds on Jan 1, then I put them out into outside containers mid February in Cold-frame units. Last year, I then moved them into their permanent containers on March 21. By that time, the plants were about 15" high.

I probably keep them in the intermediate Cold-frame stage a bit longer, as we sometimes get a cold snap for a day or two in mid March. By the time they go into their permanent homes, they are quite well developed. Last year I picked my first Stupice on May 27.

Raybo

You make a great case, Raybo. Many would say you need to have those transplants in their final resting place (whatever that may be) by 4-6 weeks. I (also) trick my plants into thinking that each transplant is where they will finally end up and then at 8-10 weeks they go in the ground- sort of like the ultimate pot. I have a set in 48 cell flats (now at 5 weeks) that will be going into 4" pots next. If need be I could go larger but I should have them in the ground, weather permitting by the second week in March.

Regular plastic trays and pots are relatively cheap,store well and can be chlorinated and reused for many years. I tend to think that reusing plastic plant pots is as environmentally friendly as you can get and they are designed with optimal plant growth in mind.

bmoser,

I try to get the seedlings introduced into the "real world" as quickly as possible (but safely re: frost) by getting them into outside cold-frames, in the identical potting mix of their final containers. This seems to reduce the "transplant shock" that I have seen in previous years.

Again, it does not work in all climates like back East - - but in our micro-climate of N. California, it works for me!

Here were my Stupice on May 27 last year:

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Raybo

Raybo...where's the best place you've found to get the Rapid Rooter plugs? The best price I've found is 50 for $11.24...since I start about 300 plants that gets pretty expensive...

Ray - ahh I get it now. Sorry for the confusion. ;) So what you are doing is a staged-transplanting, hardening off in the process, and getting great results obviously. Same here but I just don't start as early.

Dave

blumater,

I got mine at Gurney's (mail order site). If you order $50 worth of stuff from them, there is a $25.00 off coupon that you can use. As I recall, they then cost me about $0.17 each.

Dave,

Our cherry blossoms have been out for 2 weeks now, grass is greening up, and the birds have built a nest already in my patio.

Raybo

We can manage something like that in the East. I believe Timmy, RI, is doing something similar to you. I just amend my high tunnel soil and plant directly into the soil. I typically get first tomatoes about the same time as you.

I haven't checked soil temp yet in my tunnels but the daytime air temps have been above optimal and overwintered greens in the one tunnel are showing growth again. All the signs of Spring are beginning to show.

Raybo...thanks for the info but I've got a few more ??? -- do you use the mini plugs or the larger ones? I see that they sell either the kit or a pack of only 18 refills...is this the quanitities you order or is there a 50 pack that I'm missing?

For those of you who do pot up, just curious but you also do it with other vegetables like eggplant and peppers? (That is assuming you grow anything besides tomatoes.)

I potted up my tomato plants for the first time this year. I've decided I'm in love with japanese eggplant so I also have a many seedlings of those but I haven't done anything with them. Just wondering if some of you think that's a good general strategy or just specific to tomato plants.

you also do it with other vegetables like eggplant and peppers?

I do. I start everything in plug trays so everything except leafy greens gets transplanted at least 1 time and they all benefit equally from it.

Dave

I also do. All except the squash and cucumbers...they are started in peat pellets 2 weeks prior to planting outside..by then they are big enough to plant..makes for a good head start.

Happy Gardening

blue,

Here are the type I use:

They just drop in to the styrofoam tray, which is what I will be using next season:

The unit comes with a solar cover:

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Raybo

Raybo...thanks for the info...I thought it would be the larger plug but wanted to make sure...