What now?

[Green_Poppy]

Hello All You Wise Ones

As a complete novice, I'm afraid I need to ask what might be considered stupid questions. So Here goes. I've started off some courgettes and squash in tiny 6 and 7cm pots indoors. We're still clearing our plot. In the mean time, do I put them in larger pots before planting out? Do I put them outside? Help me someone please

[colser]

no such thing as a stupid question on this forum.
imho, if your plot isn't ready to bed them into their final position then they definately need transfered into larger pots. i would also pot them quite deep to make them less gangly

[Paulottie]

no such thing as a stupid question on this forum.

Erm, I wouldn't go that far

This is not a particularly stupid question though....I Agree they are a bit leggy...not enough light. Yet I wouldn't say repot them and certainly not deeper...a fine tactic with tomatoes but may lead to neck rot with curcubits.

They are very greedy plants and with quickly strip nutrients from a pot, so keep the fed and wartered and put them outside to toughen up.... only bring them in in foul weather. aim to have them in the ground soonish. Would normally at about the five (real not seed) leaf stage

[Flummery]

I think they need bigger pots and to be gradually introduced to the outside world to give them more light. They should be chunky plants with not too much stem, and the stem should be thick. Put them out in the day for a week or two, then outside in their pots permanently until you're ready to plant. Good luck with them!

[Paulottie]

Actually having looked again the pots maybe a bit small ...but not deeper...more light.

[Green_Poppy]

Thanks everyone. They do get a lot of light as they're normally on a shelf in front of a south facing window. I just moved them to take the picture and it was later in the day. I shall be out getting bigger pots and some food for them.

Once again, many thanks

[Flummery]

I still think they need more light than they are getting. They wouldn't be so long and straggly if they were getting enough light. If you had access to a light meter you'd be surprised how little light there is indoors compared to outdoors or a greenhouse.

[Green_Poppy]

Hi All. Another silly question. What size pot should I move them to?


Hopefully one day I'll be able to give advice

[sarraceniac]

Hi All. Another silly question. What size pot should I move them to?


Hopefully one day I'll be able to give advice

Depends how soon you can plant out. If it's only a couple of weeks then I wouldn't bother now, I'd just feed, if it's a month or so then pop into something about 7 inches. If it's more then I'd start some new ones.

You really should be hardening off now outside. Flummery is quite right about light levels even in a window. My squashes have been out for over a month and are fine. I don't grow courgettes, we are not very fond of them.

[FionaH]

I love it when someone else asks the "silly" questions. Off now to pot up my squash and put them outside
Thanks Green Poppy

[Green_Poppy]

You're welcome FionaH. Someone's got to put their neck out or else we wouldn't learn. Your turn next

[Green_Poppy]

Hello there. It's me again. I'm taking on board everything you've all said. I managed to scrounge some polystyrene boxes. Thought I'd put some clear plastic over the top of these as a temp coldframe. Would it be OK to leave my plants in these to harden off instead of moving them in and out of the house? I would take the plastic off during the day and replace them at around 6 or 7 pm.

[RickinDarwen]

Hi,
My first post...

Is there a calendar somewhere detailing what can/should be planted and when?

We are new to this and recently got a 5x3 metre poly tunnel. We have some tomatoes and cucumbers in it, thinking of what to get my hands dirty with next.