Too early to start planting arborvitae?
Alexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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whaas_5a
5 years ago
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Squash and Cucumber - Started Too Early
Comments (5)Normally, I agree with every common sense word digdirt writes and I also agree that it is probably best to start again with your plants. However, this bit: "they don't tolerate transplanting well even under ideal conditions. If transplanted it needs to be before the 3rd true leaf develops" is not imo strictly accurate under all circumstances. In cooler climates, like mine, squash are routinely transplanted. If direct sown it would well into June before the ground was anywhere near warm enough for them to germinate and even then they'd need sowing under a jam jar or cloche. As it is I will put mine out in mid May with some fleece protection, having started them in my glass porch 2 weeks ago. At the moment they are being hardened off. And they are often well past 3 true leaves before they get set out. You could cover all bases by starting new ones and setting out the old ones, just to see how they do....See MoreHow early is too early to start seeds?
Comments (3)Hey, I'm in Cedar Rapids too! I would suggest direct sowing your squash, zucchini, and cucumbers. I transplanted some last year that I started and really, the direct sowed ones caught up with the transplants in no time - not worth the trouble of starting them indoors. I've no experience with melons so I can't help you there. Tomatos - I'd say mid-late March and you'll be okay - lanky plants really don't do that well. Broccoli can go out a bit earlier, I believe, so you could probably start that right now but I'm no expert as I've never grown it from seed. When in doubt, follow the directions on the seed packet! This my second year gardening here in IA and I can't wait! Good thing I'm having my third baby late-March/early April - gives me time to get into a routine before the gardening season really is in earnest!...See MoreHow do I deal with seedlings started too early?
Comments (3)Hello, I'm in the same zone as you, and I typically start mine in November/December. Since it's only one more month, I'd recommend trimming the foilage back so that they can be kept under the lights. I've kept mine in much smaller pots with 5-15 seedlings in a pot, and have waited to plant in the fall before. (Mind you, I lost a few from doing that before) If you would rather them be outside, I'd recommend covering them at night with a frost blanket. For the first week, you might just want to take them out in the morning (when it is warm) to someplace shady and in at night to harden them off....See MoreStarted seeds too early this year
Comments (12)Hi mxk, " My Uproar Rose zinnia seem to have sturdier stems than the Benary's Giants I grew. Would that be due to differences in the variety/strain? " Yes, I think it is genetic. Uproar Rose is an F1 hybrid, while the Benary's Giants are open-pollinated field grown. I mentioned elsewhere that I added California Giants to my genetic mix to get sturdier plants. Preliminary results are encouraging, but that is an ongoing project. I like new flower forms and such, but I think the plants themselves are an important part of a zinnia. In these Kansas winds, you can't get too sturdy. " I'm thinking I should cut back the BG's once planted to get stockier growth... " Yes, I think that pruning or pinching can lead to better branched, sturdier zinnia plants, regardless of the the cultivar. Ideally one would routinely pinch out the central bud, but I am always anxious to see a first bloom, and cull based on that bloom, so for my breeders I leave the central bud on to see a first bloom as soon as I can. For sturdier indoor zinnias I include a little potassium silicate in their nutrient solution. Silicon is not necessary for plant nutrition, but plants do use it to strengthen cell walls. Rice growers use commercial fertilizer that is fortified with silicon for stronger stems to keep the rice seedheads out of the water. The stronger cell walls are said to make zinnias more disease resistant. There are many products containing available Silicon, but the one I use is Dyna-Gro ProTeKt As I recall, I purchased mine from Amazon. ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)...See More
Alexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
5 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years agoAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
5 years agoAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
5 years ago
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
5 years agoAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
5 years agoHad them planted today. Two staggered rows, 3 foot spacing, 3 feet away from patio. I would have spaced them 3.5 or 4ft, but as Ken says, I needed that instant gratification.
Very happy with the result!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years agoAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoShould I panic?
Over one month since planting, all eight of them have slowly been developing dead spots all over, as well as sections with yellow tips. Every one of them have this.
We have been getting an inch of rain every week, so I have not watered since the first week. With the clay soil I am careful not to overwater. Temps have hardly been over 70. I also haven't applied any fertilizer or herbicides to them or my lawn.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years agoAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
5 years agoAlexander SE Michigan - Zone 5b
5 years agoOr maybe I am just overreacting? From afar they look okay.
ckerr007
5 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
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