When should I plant these outside?

[C00KiE46]

I started them in a greenhouse tray. They are bell peppers, chili's and a variety of tomatoes. My questions are do I have to cut them back since I'm going to plant them outside anyway and when should I plant them outside? Also, do I have to remove the netting? Directions say nothing about removing it.


[img]https://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa241/M0MMiE_album/IMG_3561.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa241/M0MMiE_album/IMG_3557.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa241/M0MMiE_album/IMG_3556.jpg[/img]

[wolfie]

Just a couple things from my point of view. They need a more concentrated light source, closer to them, because they look really leggy. I would also up plant them into a bigger container, and split them into just 1 per cup. you can use plastic cups. Yes, that the netting off as quick as you can!!

[sciencegal]

You need to thin them to one seedling per cup. Just use small scissors to cut off the weaker or smaller seedlings.

[garden5]

For a light, you can get a T-8 shop light (the kind with the 2 long tubular light-bulbs) for about $12 and you will want to keep it about 3 in. or so above the plants. Keep it on about 16 hrs. a day, this can be easily accomplished with a timer.

Put the tomatoes in the ground after the last frost date for your area. Plant the peppers about 2 weeks after the tomatoes (you want the ground to be a little warmer for them).

All in all, looking good.

[C00KiE46]

Thanks for all the info.

[garden5]

It looks like you're going to be in line for a nice harvest with all of those plants.

[C00KiE46]

So far I thinned them out to one seedling and planted most of them in jiffy pots.
[img]https://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa241/M0MMiE_album/IMG_3573.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa241/M0MMiE_album/IMG_3572.jpg[/img]
I also bought lights and have them under for 16 hours.
[img]https://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa241/M0MMiE_album/IMG_3574.jpg[/img]
When their not under the lights should I keep them in the shade or in the sunlight outside? I'm getting worried cause some of them look kind of flimsy.
I started putting them under the lights last night.

[wolfie]

my lights are alot closer then that, that distance still will make them leggy from what it looks like in the picture. let them stay in darkness when the lights are off. are you keeping the room at room temp? also do they have enough water?

make sure when you transplant them, you take them out of those pots

[C00KiE46]

Ok I will put something under the tray to make them closer to the light. I keep them in the garage when their under the lights. I planted them in those pots cause you can just plant the whole thing in the soil. Also, I water them everyday.

[Gary350]

You need to have them outside right now in full sun, wind, rain good and bad weather all day and all night. Long skinny plants are a sign they are not getting enough light. If they turn into long shinny plants that are all stem they will be worthless. All stem plants will be extremely hard to make them live even if you baby them every day. Get them outside now and never take them inside ever again.

[applestar]

When you do put them outside make sure to gradually acclimate them to the sun and air movement. They will dry out faster, especially in those peat pots. (You'll find out after spending some time here that most of us don't recommend them) Water well before setting them out, and initially only for a short time. I usually start them in a dappled shade of a tree, but there are many different techniques. Search the Forum for "hardening off".