I am with Fred - I would let it open at least 1 bud to see what it is. Then disbud it and put it in a next size pot. May be not 3", but smaller - either large solo cup or 2,5" pot without disturbing a rootball too much. Babies like to be repotted. The clue for me would be if you see the roots sticking out from the holes in the bottom. It seems to me you have a well grown starter that will give you a full head of bloom on the next flash. I.

Good luck, Joanne! I'm happy that I could help inspire another grower before surgery! Just a quick update: I did lose one of the suckers, but the other two are doing great! The one I used root hormone on is doing amazingly well! I thought this one wouldn't make it for sure, but it has surprised me. The largest sucker is still trying to bloom and I'm not sure if I should snap the blooms off or not. I'm afraid blooming might take away too much energy from the delicate little thing, but then, I'm not worried about losing it too much. Mama Susie Q is back on her shelf happily blooming away (although now she resembles Harlequin more than Susi, but her blooms change frequently).

Three hollyhocks and one calendula. If that's all I get I will baby them and try again next year. It has only been one week since I sowed them. I am still hoping for the "wave of green" and HOS you all talk about.

Crystabel, I'm glad my thread was helpful! I sure hope I'm figuring out the hand-pollination thing. I saw two flowers the day after I did the deed that were all shriveled up... I think it's too soon to tell if the melons are growing, though, as that was just a couple days ago.... And, because of Sinfonian's suggestion that opening the flower early or late even worked for him and he got a lot of fruit, I'm doing that as well for those flowers that I somehow missed even though I'm studying every single flower I see on a daily basis... LOL Thanks, EG! I think I have time so I'm going to let as many melons grow as they want to.... I'll be out there with blankets and tons of cover if any frost even thinks about coming my way! I want every melon these suckers will give! I've babied them, talked to them daily, and even pulled tons of weeds, too, since these aren't SFG style. :-( ~Angela