Started some coral vine seeds last week, thinking they'd take a couple of weeks to be ready for outplanting. The first set of true leaves on all 30 seedlings is already full-grown, and the second set of true leaves is starting. I have a fence about 200 feet long that I'm planning to let them cover. Here in the DFW area (zone 8a), they should die off in the fall. The person from whom I got the seeds says she needs to replant annually, so I'm not overly worried about them taking over.
Right now, I'm hardening them off. They spent the day outside today (still in peat pellets, with roots all over the tray), and I'll bring them in tonight. Another couple of days like that -- and if it really reaches the mid-80's by Friday -- I'm thinking they'll be ready.
When is it safe to put them into the ground? We're unlikely to have a hard freeze, but might have one or two days remaining of nights in the 30's or lower 40's. I really wasn't expecting them to be this fast....
Coral Vine seedlings for 8a
Here, mine stays in ground. The soil has to be warmer for it to even begin growing. I would say hold off on planting till the soil temperature rises.
If I wait much longer, I'll have to pot them up. I don't think they'll survive at 10 times the size of their peat pots, with roots all tangled together in the tray. Drat. I was hoping you'd say go ahead and plant them.
I'd move them to a larger pot or pots and bide my time... Gardening does take patience ~ LOL
I agree with Pod, no sense in losing them to a cold spell.
Josephine.
Okay, then, I'll pot them up. Can they survive on the patio (assuming I bring them in if it gets near freezing), or should I keep them indoors all the time for now, and restart hardening off later?
I think it is fine to leave them on the patio, but don't forget then if it gets cold.