Hi Roger! I'll *try* to answer a bit your questions... 1.Soil temperatures shouldn't be kept too warm. Direct sunlight is relevant on the aerial part of the plant. If in too direct sunshine, containers might make temperatures in the root zone fluctuate in a too wide of a range, and you want to keep your plants' roots' temperatures as stable as possible. 2. Sorry to say it, but to be honest I think you have way too many plants for the space available. Of course, you could go for just a bit closer than the spacing that is recommended on seed packages and/or nursery labels, but it wouln't work with so many (for this special topic I recommend you the forum 'square foot gardening' for detailed info, since you wish to plant intensively) 3.Slings made of pieces of pantyhose. 1. Hmm no idea, never started peppers from seed. But need for higher temperature is probably the cause for the delay. You can put the seeds in a plastic pot (yoghurt pot washed plus a drainage hole in the bottom works) and set it indoors in a warm place. 2.Now, but don't tease too much the roots. 3.It depends on each plant of course, and which variety you have. For example, pumkins might grow 3-4m long vines, tomatoes come in so many sizes you can end-up with a 50cm tall plant, or 2mts If you keep visiting and reading this and related forums you can find out a lot about it. 4.Common 'poting soil' works perfect. One question, is it very windy the location of the balcony? If so, keep in mind that the wind dries out the plants, making them thirstier. However, sometimes the *top layer* of soil makes you think the plant needs water but the rest down in the pot has still plenty. Touch the soil at a 2cm./1inch deep (again do not disturb too much those roots), when itÂs dry to the touch, give them water. Hope this helps a bit. Best luck! Carol

Tie them loosely to the trellis with twine, being sure not to tie them so tight that it cuts the stems. They'll eventually get the message and grab on by themselves. Plan to support the melons when they start forming. Rodney

It doesn't really matter, one trunk or two, right or left. All that really matters is pruning properly and spreading the leaves out to intercept as much light as possible. I like your T trellis idea. What I'd do differently is have a third wire down the center. I'd put both canes on that wire one running each direction or both running each way. It's alright to have two canes on one wire. Then the outside wires would be to support the new canes growing out each way. This helps some to avoid wind damage to new shoots. But your plan is just as good.

Thanks so much for this link! We were just discussing getting an arbor for our Crown Princess...it's right near the fence though..this will work perfectly!! Luck to you and your roses!!! jljohnson740 Under the Moon Over Ky