Selecting Bedding Plants

By Jos Van Hage

The Prince George area has a short growing season and so to get the most out of it many gardeners like to get a head start and plant out transplants rather than direct seed into the garden.

This is especially true for flowers and any vegetable that requires a longer growing season. Vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, corn, leeks, celery, need a longer time to mature and produce a good crop. Also by planting these from transplants you can harvest them sooner which is why planting lettuce transplants is popular.

When purchasing bedding plants choose strong, sturdy seedlings that have healthy foliage which are insect and disease free.

Lift the container and check underneath for any roots that are coming out of the bottom drainage holes as this is an indicator that the plants are root bound. You do not want the plants to be root bound in the container as this will make it more stressful on the plants when it comes to dividing them when it comes time to plant them because you will have to rip the roots apart from each other. If this has happened I suggest you do not plant them out right away but rather leave them in the container and with a sharp knife cut between the plants evenly and then plant them out a week later. This way the plants roots have had less stress placed on them which in turn will mean they will recover from being transplanted sooner.

Plants that are in individual containers are easier to transplant.

It is good to hardenplants off before placing them in the garden. Hardening them off means getting them slowly used to being outdoors as they have been growing in a  greenhouse. You can do this by placing them outside in filtered sun for the first day and by the end of the week they should be ready for outside.

 Also covering them at night or bringing them in for the first couple of nights helps them climatize

When plants are ready to be transplant you want to do it on a cloudy day or plant in the evening so the plants do not have to be in the hot sun for their first day.

To take the plant out of the container, hold the container upside down and carefully slide the plant out trying not to  disturb the roots or leaves.

If there is more than one plant in the container gently pull the plants apart trying not to break the roots.

Place the plant in the hole and cover the roots immediately so they do not dry out.

To plant the transplant hold the transplant upright while with the other hand fill the hole pressing gently down on the soil around the plant to that plant remains upright and straight. Leave a slight depression around the transplant so when you water the water will stay in the well rather than run off. Plant it at the same depth that it was in the container.

Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli can be planted an inch deeper if the plants have become floppy.

Tomatoes can be planted 1-2 inches deeper to promote root growth on the stalk and help stabilize the plant. Water the plants immediately.

For the first water you can mix ’Transplanter’ into the water which aids in root development and helps prevent shock.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns  and operates two Art Knapp Garden Centres in the Prince George area:

• Highway 16 West at Kimball Road
• Highway 97 North  at Northwood Pulpmill Road

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