Transplanting zuchini

[Jeremy brua]

The ones I started sceem a little tall. When I trasnsplant them can I put them in deep? Or will they start to grow out more then up?

Thanks

[mscratch]

yes, deeper than the pot they will come out of.

[Jeremy brua]

Thank you!

[applestar]

Zucchini, like most squash, will grow roots from leaf nodes, so you can bury the stem and the leaf nodes as much as you like. This will help it grow larger root system that will help it grow stronger.

[PhillyGardener]

I didn't know this! I thought it was just tomatoes that could be planted deeper. What about cucumbers?

[Jeremy brua]

I was told pepper could be planted deep too. They wont root from the stem but it will help keep them from fallung over.

[jal_ut]

I have long been of the opinion that squash does better planted from seed placed where the plant will grow. They don't seem to like their roots messed with. They also have a gigantic root system and starting them in pots gets their root all curled up. They could have an extensive root system when reaching the size of your transplants if started directly.

[jal_ut]

Good paper on squash roots

[Kenzie]

I planted my leggy, store-bought cucumber seedlings deep a few months ago and they're doing great with big, thick stems. Normally I would just start the seed straight in the ground (as I did with the other half of my cucs this year) but I couldn't find the seed I wanted locally, only plants.

I've done the same with all my peppers and it works fine.

[TheWaterbug]

I have long been of the opinion that squash does better planted from seed placed where the plant will grow. They don't seem to like their roots messed with. They also have a gigantic root system and starting them in pots gets their root all curled up. They could have an extensive root system when reaching the size of your transplants if started directly.

This morning I transplanted a cucumber that I purchased from Home Depot on Sunday. It was in a tiny little pot (3" diameter?), but the plant was nearly 6" tall already. When I tore off the pot I saw only white, as the roots had completely filled in the pot. I could barely see any soil through the root fabric.

I shook it out a little bit and tried to tease the roots out, but I didn't want to do too much trauma, so I just planted and soaked it. We'll see what happens.

I sowed my pumpkin seed son 5/7 last year, and they were wayyyyy early. In 2010 I sowed on 6/20, and that year they were late (all green on Hallowe'en), so I'm probably going to sow early-mid June this year.

If I can get the sites prepped before then I may take your suggestion and direct sow. This is not guaranteed to happen, as the sight of seedlings outgrowing their pots is usually the motivator that gets me out of bed to go prep the sites . Practically speaking I am likely to get some of the sites prepped, but not all, which will default me into doing a controlled experiment in which some are direct sown and some are transplanted. Because, uh, I planned it that way.

[Jeremy brua]

I put them deep in a new pot two days ago and they are looking great. I should have them in the ground by the end of the month. Thanks again for all the help!