Few more questions....about planting

1. My MG vines are starting to get big. Anyhow I think I will soon plant them in the pots where they will live for the summer. I want to add soil to the pots mixed with some of my homemade compost. I can add compost to pots right? Should I mix in a tablespoon or so of bone meal as well??

2. Are the roots of Black Eyed Susan vines very sensitive? I would like to take them out of the peat pots and plant but I am worried about disturbing their roots??

3. Around what (outdoor) temperature should I start putting them outside to start hardening them off?

This message was edited Apr 13, 2007 4:43 PM

Great question, Dawn. I also have m.g.s getting big and need to start thinking about when to plant/how to plant. I hope someone knows. :-)

Dawn,
1) Compost in outdoor pots is wonderful. (I would also use some indoors but that is less common)
2) As far as their roots, the purpose of peat pots is that you don't take them out of the peat pots, you plant the whole thing and the plant will grow through it.
3) Your zone is not listed but you do live in Canada, so I assume it's cold where you are. I would not put MGs out yet,and that goes double for BES vine which is more of a tropical. Not sure of a rule but I would start bringing the BES vine out when it reached 50 and then in at night
May 15 is when I would put them out for good here. I assume later where you are ( same or a little later than me for Seandor) I think the nighttime low being over 32 degrees is more important than the daytime highs.
Hope this helps. Others may have more specific knowledge.
Dave

Dave you answered all my questions....at least it gives me a better idea of everything....thanks :)

One more...how much compost should I mix in the pots? Half soil/half compost?

Dawn, I would check w/ these folks also as I believe MG don't like their soil too rich. Just a thought.
kdcon

http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/floramanana/all/

Yeah, I'm not sure how MGs like their soil, just that compost is good in pots. If MGs like lean ( poor) soil, then you may not want to use potting soil either. For most outdoor pots top soil is sufficient.