Those look nice. Fun and adictive isn't it. Started mine April 4th (got a late start) but they keep getting bigger. I'll probably put them into large cups and start to harden them off soon. Clever use of the cups and what looks like ground beef containers.

Last year I started a bunch in a pair of those containers. punched rows of holes in the bottom of one and filled it with potting mix, sewed the seeds in rowscovered with plastic wrap, filled the other container with water and set the seed container into the water container and sat that on the center of my stove where the pilot light keeps it warm. Once the seeds started sprouting I removed the plastic wrap and set the container on the heat pad under the shop lights. That actually worked pretty well.

Cool thing is every year you pick up and discover new little tricks and refine what works for you. Good luck with the crop have fun and let it burn.

It is very addictive! I was surprised by how fast they are growing for me too.
Not exactly sure if those are beef containers or not, I got them from my mother actually. :)

When do you think I should be transplanting to bigger containers??

wen to transplant them is a good question. Hopefully some more experienced growers will have a better answer.

This is my second attempt at starting indoors. Last year Aphids took over when I bought some seedlings at a greenouse and brought them in with my plants. Not much was left two days after buying the plants they looked like they were bubbling and it turned out to be aphids just crawling all over the plants and each other it was enough to make you puke so I freaked and took them out to the garage and smothered them in seven dust. I was so ticked because all my home started plants looked and were doing great to that point. This year has been smooth.

Back to the question. The ideal time seems to be once they've established themselves and have a a few or more sets of true leaves and start to take off growth wise. Those are the ones I'll target first to go into larger cups and then leave the other smaller ones in the flats to mature some more. What I'm seeing happen in my flats is the ones that are really taking off are starting to create shade for the ones that are smaller yet. The ones in your pictures look like they are ready to go into larger containers.

Jeff,

hello i am in Ontario also!
to answer your question about transplanting i would transplant the center and the right trays now (in the last pic) and the other tray shortly... week or so. this is just what i would do.
I am very happy to hear you dealt with Beth. she is the best business person i have ever dealt with. she is the best! and dont you just love the little suprise you got, just makes it so much more fun for both you and for Beth.
when you plant outside give your white hab some room. last year mine got very big around!!!
Michael

Jeff,

Are you planting them in the ground or in containers?

Those are very nice looking plants for a Mar 28th start!! They look better than many of mine and I started on the 14th.

Beth is definitely THE best!

jt

Here is a link that might be useful: Beth @ Peppermania

Thanks for all the comments everyone! I have a feeling my choice of T8 lighting has made everything really jump start.

Beth was unbelievable to deal with. Perfect for a newbie such as myself. I couldn't have been happier with the transaction and knowledge she offered.

The consensus seems to be to transplant any day now for the largest of my plants. Leads to my next question. How big of a container now?? I am planning on eventually getting them into 12" pots or bigger.

Thanks again,

Jeff