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Niagara Falls,NY

When I started growing giant pumpkins,the practice was to take the 4" peat pot,and poke holes in it so when you planted it the roots would grow though the pot easier.Now everyone starts their plants in a peat pot and then transfers the plant to a gallon pot.Why waste the money on a peat pot just to throw it a way? I don't know,just doesn't make sense to me.I make my own pots out of news paper that I wrap around a large coffee can(holds about 1/2 gallon of seed mix)then just plant the whole thing.Costs nothing and does not desturb roots.In this age of watching every cent,why throw money away? Just wondering.

5/1/2011 10:20:57 AM

peat pots im bulk cost 10-15 cents or so il continue useing them to germinate in after soaking them. the water holding then drying slow action they provide works great for my way of getting seeds to pop havent seen a plastic pot do that yet i go from 4-5 inch peat to patch , save money where you can. not at seed starting

5/1/2011 10:32:37 AM

Niagara Falls,NY

Don,it sounds like you are using the pot the way they were designed to be used.I was really talking about people who just throw them out.But really, I was thinking about disturbing the roots would also be an issue.10 0r 15 cents is not alot I agree,but I see some growers starting 8,10,12 plants or more.So it could get costly if you are on a budget.But the peat pots do hold water well.Thats why I make my paper pots.They stay moist and are pretty well decomposed by the time they are put in the ground.

5/1/2011 11:34:02 AM

milford, CT,

5" Lowes Peat Pots are awesome..they are thin..easy to get off ..big enough to give me 6-7 days of growth..So far 90 % germination..Heat is a key factor..and soil moisture is critical..not too wet..not to dry..tough to explain what it looks like..I base it on the weight of the pot..

5/1/2011 2:12:12 PM

Pataskala,OH

What is 10 or 15 cents when you spend 100$ on the seed. lol

5/1/2011 2:51:19 PM

Connellsville, Pa

The peat pots, You can just plant it in the ground right?

5/1/2011 3:14:04 PM

Adams County

Jab, I like to very slowly and easy tear of the peat pot. to allow the roots to spread out ..

5/1/2011 3:41:52 PM

Webster, NY

I carefully cut the peat pot away from the sides as soon as I can tell what direction the plant will vine. Usually I have a large enough hole so that I can set the pot in the hole, carefully cut the sides, bend them away from the soil and pack soil around the plant. If your careful it's OK, but if you have to move the plant around too much then you lose some soil and you have you transplant shock.

5/1/2011 6:05:57 PM

Clinton, Iowa

I precut the bottoms off 4" peat pots... ...after soaking peat pot fill with potting mix and prewarm the mixture in your germ box or cooler or whatever you use.....set in seeds and once they break soil..typically 4 to 5 day...to transplant simply suport the bottom as you set it in the hole... back fill around the bottomless pot ...then cut down the sides 180° apart and slide out the remaining 2 halves of pot..WALA...no root disturbing and nothing to hinder root growth and spread...been using them for years....seems to work fine..
DAN

5/1/2011 9:18:34 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

This year I wrapped my 5" peat pots with AL foil...to help provide a heatsink to my matt and distribute the heat to the pot evenly. Worked great, heat matt temp compared to soil temp was +-.3°. Once the seed sproutZ I peel the peat pot off and put them in the larger cut pots. Even though they are in the peat pots the roots do start to become tangled in a roundy round till they do break out.....Works great and keeps the young ones from getting rootbound even in the small pot. Now if you wait 3-4 days one will have lots of lil new roots at the bottom of the pot, so peel off soon as the seed expells its shell.....

5/2/2011 2:45:13 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I get 5" peat pots from Lowes or Walmart. Bottom half filled with potting soil with teaspoon of Jobes Organics with mico and beneficial bacteria. Top half orgainc Jiffy Mix. I poke a few holes in the pot, tear the top inch or so off so none shows above the ground after planting. roots grow right through it, very little if any sign of it when you pull the vine out in fall. 100% germination this spring.

5/2/2011 5:44:48 PM