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Buffalo, New York

i will try to keep this short.

I transplanted 4 plants last saturday. each had the first true leaf coming up only.

the whole week now has been cool and cloudy, and not much sun. i have had 5 gallon buckets over the plants a good amount of time.

6 days later now, it doesnt look like the plants have grown much.

meanwhile, i have backups in the aquarium out back under a lamp which have gotten bigger and are now past the ones currently out in the patch.

starting later today (friday), the weather is suppose to stay in the 60's + throughout next week.

my question......am i better off leaving the ones in the patch that i currently have, maybe the roots have grown somewhat, or am i better off putting my bigger backups in the patch instead?

thanks...

5/23/2008 1:01:19 AM

Hollywood, MD

How much is "good amount of time" with those buckets? I know you are trying to protect from cold, but if they aren't getting much sun, they won't grow. Even though it is cloudy, there is still sunlight. Don't block it out with the buckets. Maybe try a clear plastic cloche (tent) instead of the buckets. That will keep them warm, plus give them sunlight. I bet they will take off.

I wouldn't give up on the plants in your patch yet. Even though not much is going on above ground, I bet they are rooting well below ground. Here's what you could do: plant one backup plant near each existing plant and see how they all do. After a few weeks, keep the best one on each hill and go from there.

Good luck!

5/23/2008 11:26:47 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Hi Jeremy, Im not a big hitter, but your plants need sunlight. You should cover if there is a chance of frost, but I would not keep them covered under plastic once the sun is up...it will heat up too much. Whatever you use to cover, make sure they dont cook..just my thoughts. Good luck.

5/23/2008 1:53:45 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Your backups are bigger because they have been warmer. It can't hurt to put them all in, but I can bet if you leave them alone and the weather warms up, you will be fine.

5/23/2008 7:19:19 PM

Leicester, NY

Jeremy,
It probably would not hurt to stick the backups in too and see which plants win out. Mostly, your problem, like mine has to do with the lack of warm weather and sun. Out of the last 3 weeks, I think there have been only 4-5 sunny days total. The plants have a terrible time getting established in these conditions. That should all change with the nice weather forecast over the next few days. I agree with Jordan, I think in another week, your plants will be doing a lot better and all will be well.

5/23/2008 8:46:09 PM

Western NY

I'm in the same boat as Joe. today was day #3 for a little sun in the last 2-3 weeks that i can remember. all i can hope for at this point would be that they were developing a lot of roots while waiting for sun. not looking good.

5/23/2008 9:38:36 PM

Clarence, NY, USA

Another WNY reply. Plants growing slowly here too, even with cloches. Had an indoor plant that I was thinking of putting in the ground but remembered pap's words of "patience". So gave my two indoor plants to two guys that want to try their hand at growing AGs this year. Once the weather warms up, I think our plants will start growing a lot faster. We should enjoy the break now. We'll be busy from June through early October.

5/24/2008 12:49:41 AM

Buffalo, New York

wow, we need to have a WNY Forum somewhere....or atleast a WNY Post.

5/24/2008 1:16:49 AM