Spring has teased us several times this season and I hold out hope that this time, it will indeed arrive. I have a window full of plants begging for warmer temperatures and sunshine, some cuttings rooting under a shop light, and seedlings growing under another.
I'm ready!
Starting our own seeds is an inexpensive way to get plants for your flower and vegetable gardens, but we all hear the plants in the greenhouses and nurseries calling our names, begging to be brought home. When choosing these plants, some general rules apply.
We know our local plant suppliers, but when visiting a new place, look to see that the majority of the plants seem healthy and well cared for. Plants should be labeled and staff ought to be able to help you with planting information.
When choosing annuals or vegetable plants, first look for an overall impression that includes good color and a vigorous appearance. Avoid plants with yellow or browning leaves or broken stems. Instead of reaching for the tallest, fullest plants, look for plants that are more compact for their variety and have many buds, not flowers or fruit. These plants will develop roots faster and suffer less transplant shock than blooming or fruiting plants. If the only healthy plants available are already in bloom, pinch off the flowers before transplanting. Other things to look for are uniformity in size and healthy foliage color.
Of course, if you are looking for plants to make an immediate impact, do select those with some blossoms on them but also look for more buds to ensure a longer bloom period. Individual vegetable plants, such as tomatoes or peppers that will not be transplanted, may have blossoms and fruit as well.
"Leggy" plants look spindly, and the stems are tall, often with little bottom growth. The longer bedding plants grow in small pots, the more the roots become compacted and compete for water and nutrients. This creates weaker seedlings.
Check the roots. Healthy roots are essential for vigorous plants. Look at the roots of container grown plants by gently easing them from their container. If you are uncomfortable or uncertain about this, ask a nursery person to help you. To carefully remove a small plant from its pot, place one hand over the soil, turn the pot upside down and slide the pot off. On most plants, healthy roots will be light tan or white although a few plants will have bright yellow or red roots. The presence of mushy roots is not a good sign. Also avoid plants whose roots are pot-bound, that is tightly crowded and circling in the container or growing out the drain holes. These will not transplant well and will be slow to start their growth.
If a plant looks too small for its container, it could be weak or stunted or it might have been recently transplanted and not fully rooted out in the new container. If the soil falls away from the roots, this plant is probably not a good choice,
Bigger is not always better when it comes to plant selection. Healthy foliage and roots on seedlings with many buds, rather than blossoms, are the best choices we can make for bedding plants. In our short season, we need plants that will take off quickly to give us the desired result. Once the new plants are home, plant them as soon as possible. If they can't be planted right away, keep them in a protected area and well watered.
Mary Lou Marchand
Beltrami County Master Gardener
