I bought three zucchini transplants at a local nursery, and it seems like they've planted 2-3 per pot. I'm very surprised, because I would think they would crowd each other out. I'm worried about trying to separate them, because of damage I might cause to the root systems. Currently my plan is to grow each group in a 7-gallon (or more) container.
Will this work out as it is? Should I cut them down to have only one plant per pot? Or should I try to separate the roots? Let me know if I can provide more info
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- rainbowgardener
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Gently slide the whole mass out of the pot. Float it in a bucket of water. Once the potting mix is thoroughly moistened, they will fall apart.
They do need to be separated. The stores pot them together like that just for looks. Makes it look like one nice full bushy plant, when really you get it home and discover that you have three spindly ones. They will not do well left that crowded.
They do need to be separated. The stores pot them together like that just for looks. Makes it look like one nice full bushy plant, when really you get it home and discover that you have three spindly ones. They will not do well left that crowded.
- Lindsaylew82
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I've never had trouble with 3 to 5 seeds per mound. Never once thinned them, always have to beg people to take them from us! As long as there's enough water and foods for them, they do well. I actually have more trouble transplanting squash starts than I do just putting the seeds in the ground. I say just plant them out as is! Add compost and mulch, happy, comfortable squash.
I plant in a mound about 3 seeds and when I do that, they have more distance between them than the ones in a little pot.
I actually would rather plant squash or melons directly in the ground than from starts because they will quickly set back in a pot and they will remain stunted if that happens. Three to five leaves is already for me too long to be in a starter pot. I usually have to plant those out as soon as the true leaves appear.
I actually would rather plant squash or melons directly in the ground than from starts because they will quickly set back in a pot and they will remain stunted if that happens. Three to five leaves is already for me too long to be in a starter pot. I usually have to plant those out as soon as the true leaves appear.