Some of Brian's writings

Biggest is Not Best with Bedding Plants by Brian Baldwin

With our short gardening season, we need as much of a jump on the season as possible. Bedding plants offer the head start necessary to ensure an early crop, or a full season of blooms.
Although the whole idea with bedding plants is to get a head start on the season, biggest is not always best. A stocky little plant will usually establish itself more quickly than a larger, lankier plant. Similarly, weak or damaged plants which have been standing for a period of time in a dimly lit store may not be a bargain even if they are "reduced to clear." Remember that any plant that has to spend a couple of weeks recuperating from a near-death-experience has lost whatever head start it may once have had.

The ideal transplant will be short, stocky, with thick stems and sturdy leaves. They should be bright green. Plants with a purple tinge on the leaves are showing a phosphorous deficiency. This is easily corrected with an application of 20-20-20 but this stress will also have slowed their growth. In most cases, bedding plants should not be in flower when they are planted, but petunias, geraniums, and the smaller types of marigolds don't seem to suffer from transplanting after they have begun to bloom.

Hardening Off
There are two schools of thought on the issue of hardening off. Traditionalists recommend that plants be slowly introduced to the outside world by placing them in a sheltered and somewhat shaded location for a few hours each day over the course of a 7-10 days. Each day they stay out longer, until they are outside around the clock. This slows their growth and toughen them up.
Others choose to avoid the whole process. Sturdy little plants placed directly into the garden with some form of localized shelter will not lose that week of growth that the hardening process cost. Juice cans, milk cartons, or commercially available hot caps will offer most of the necessary protection a strong little plant will need for its first week outside.

Whether you harden them or not, transplanting is best done in the cool of the evening. If you simply must transplant in the daytime, be sure to keep the plants very well watered and give them shade from the full sun for the first few days. A mild solution of 20-20-20 immediately after transplanting will help them re-establish quickly.

Garden Line Re-born!
Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. The Horticulture Information Service (or Garden Line) at the University of Saskatchewan will once again be offered as a free service starting May 13. Funding from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food is making it possible for a single telephone line to be operated by a knowledgeable horticulture student Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. There's only one line, however, so set your speed dial, and keep trying!

Baldwin is a horticulturist at the University of Saskatchewan. This column is offered as a service of the Division of Extension and the Department of Horticulture at the U of S.
© Brian Baldwin 1996

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