Thai Stick It to Me

June 14: TS1 starts week 2 at 1.7 inches, gaining 3/8 of an inch overnight. All seedlings are accelerating. TS5 is almost as tall as TS4 now. Great color, all have strong stems, broad leaves and outstanding spring. Weather last several days has been very windy and around 80. Watching water use carefully because they will dry out quickly in small containers under these conditions. Very pleased so far. June 15: They're starting to take off, evidence that the roots are developing rapidly. As soon as we're into the third set of leaves they'll be transplanted. Walking a balancing act right now, don't want them root bound, always a danger in nursery six packs, and not just with weed. It's a problem with tomatoes, peppers and flowers, too. If they get bound it will dwarf them, and that's the last thing I want. June 16: So today I noticed the cotylodon leaves were turning yellow. Like the accelerated rate of growth, this is an indicator of rapid root development. It can mean that the roots have touched the bottom of the container. Sensing that it may run out of room, the plant consumes the rest of the nutrients in these first leaves. I was going to transplant to 4-inch pots at the end of the week, but it was time now. The roots on every plant were at the bottom. Transplanted all five into 4-inchers and clipped off the cotylodon leaves to force the focus back to the roots. I expect to transplant again within a week at the rate they are growing. Next step up will be to half-gallon grow bags. That might last a week or two and then step up to gallon flower pots. June 17: First full day in 4-inch pots. Acceleration continues. They all look much better than yesterday. TS5 is beautiful. June19: No news is good news. Much larger than Week 1. Third set of leaves showing on TS1, TS2, TS3. Will have Week two measurement tomorrow. Will probably transplant by next weekend. June 20: Transplanted to half gallon grow bags. They are taking off. TS2 and TS4 had leaf worms. Dealt with by smashing the pest. Leaves aren't pretty because of scarring. Will be fine. Other leaves got cuts and general wear from living outside.