Transplanting with flower buds/fruits?

[Bettacreek]

So, I've read somewhere that you really weren't supposed to do this. However, I've got several plants with flower buds, and several peppers. I need to transplant, because they're in those tiny flats. How badly will transplanting affect my production?

 

[Joel_BC]

So, I've read somewhere that you really weren't supposed to do this. However, I've got several plants with flower buds, and several peppers. I need to transplant, because they're in those tiny flats. How badly will transplanting affect my production?

Not badly at all, in my experience.

In fact, transplanting to give your plants' roots more room and access to more nutrient & water in a larger soil volume, will help your plants on all levels. The plants themselves will grow, more buds will appear, and the potential for fruit production will only increase.

 

[Bettacreek]

Awesome! Thank you! That's a huge relief, because some of the tomatoes are getting to be root bound, and I was afraid that they wouldn't do well. I wasn't sure what the heck to do, lol. They'll all be transplanted tonight then!

 

[Joel_BC]

And you can avoid or lessen "transplant shock" by watering a little with something like manure tea or compost tea, or with a fairly dilute solution made up from a store-bought organic-fertilizer liquid. For instance, the process can go like this: you make the hole into which you'll transplant, you gently pull your plant (being careful to do as little mechanical root damage as you can), and as you set the plant down into the hole, water the root/soil mass a bit with your transplanting solution. Then move the surrounding soil into place, and firm it down.

 

[Bettacreek]

Thank you. Unfortunately, I've hit another hitch. About 8" down, it's solid clay. Tiller won't even touch it, and it's a massive honkering thing of a tiller. I've put so much work into this thing, and the clay just about makes it look impossible. :/

 

[moolie]

Great advice from Joel

Tomatoes can be transplanted deeper, up to the cotyledon (or baby first set of) leaves, they'll grow roots of the buried portion of the stem and be stronger plants. I do this every year and have great results

 

[Bettacreek]

Great advice from Joel

Tomatoes can be transplanted deeper, up to the cotyledon (or baby first set of) leaves, they'll grow roots of the buried portion of the stem and be stronger plants. I do this every year and have great results

That's what George is saying too. I was worried because the wind broke two plants, and he said just plant them a little above the break (it's down low) and they'll be fine. They're already bouncing back, and they're still in those tiny little pots. They'll be in dirt by the end of the day though, even if I am working with slim pickings as far as dirt is concerned. :/

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I think you will do fine with 8" of loosened soil.

Tomatoes and peppers and eggplants are not so fussy about transplanting and it is best to move them into more soil once they get pot bound, regardless of their stage of flowering or fruiting. It is always best to transplant at the end of the day or on a cooler day, though. There are some vegetables that are really fussy about getting root-bound and will never perform well after that happens. For trees and shrubs and perennials, there is often a best time to transplant. But really, if the plant is root bound, then NOW is the best time to transplant. Just remember to be extra careful keeping them watered after they have been transplanted.

 

[Bettacreek]

Wish I had read that last post sooner, I transplanted them around 4pm. It was kind of a cool day today though, and they don't look like they're hating it. I was watering them numerous times in those little flats. Couldn't keep enough water in them, it was always dry in the root-bound plants. But, everything is in the ground now, and not looking bad. Now I need to hit the farm store/greenhouse by us and finish out the plants. Thanks so much for all of the help guys!!

 

[so lucky]

Bettacreek, it may be too late for you to benefit from this, but maybe others will be able to use it: If your maters are really leggy, you can plant them lying down in a trench (the tomato, not you). Just strip leaves off the bottom, if there are any, and leave the top few inches sticking out of the ground. They will grow new roots all along the long stem. That way, you don't have to worry about having a 12" deep hole, or whatever it would take. I find if the plant is dry and limp when I plant it like this, it is easier to manipulate, rather than a full juicy brittle plant.