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I started Erasmus asparagus indoors from seed. As soon as they were anywhere from 1-6 inches, I transferred them to 3" pots, but they're growing really fast. I can't transplant them out for another couple of months (May) to my established asparagus bed (I'm pulling the established females after I figure out who they are). I wasn't all that impressed with the germination rate, out of 30 seeds (the Erasmus seeds were expensive, but nobody on the internet seemed to have crowns) I got 20 plants.
In the meantime, what do you think would be a good sized pot to keep them in for those few months? I really don't want to keep transplanting them into bigger and bigger pots, as they don't seem to like being transplanted much. I don't have a whole lot of space, so I'm looking for the minimum sized pot I can put them in til I can stuff them in the ground outside. Each plant is in a separate pot, except for a couple that I got a couple late sprouters.
Also, is there any way to encourage them to grow their crowns faster? Seeing as how they don't branch, I'm guessing cutting the tips would not be a good idea. And they're very spindly, I had to tie a few of them to a kebab stick so they didn't break off.
Hi Maya,
It sure sounds like your asparagus seedlings have done quite well. Given that asparagus does not like to be transplanted and your seedlings are growing well, it might be best to keep them in the pots you currently have them in. Since asparagus seedlings don’t have huge root systems, they should have space to continue to grow until they can be planted outside.
If you notice that growth slows or you see roots coming out of the bottom of your containers, you should then consider transplanting to a slightly larger pot, but it all depends on how close it is until they can be planted outside. The less transplanting the better.
There is not a way to get the crowns to develop faster; you just need to let nature take its course. It is best to prop the ferns up with supports and not cut them.
I direct sowed asparagus 2 years ago. It came up strong, but close. Do I have to thin it or can I let it go
Hello. You will want to wait at least one more year to touch your asparagus plants. If they are at least 12 inches away from each other, we would suggest leaving them alone after this year. If not, you can thin any that are too close together.
I bought about two dozen 2 year old crowns mail order. Planted them as you described in the spring after the last frost in a raised bed, mulched them, and now it's been about four weeks. Shouldn't I be seeing some kind of growth? I've kept the bed watered, and they were plump and healthy when I planted them. I know patience is required, but I was thinking that I should see something by now?
Asparagus will not tolerate acidic soil.
Using peat moss when planting Asparagus crowns will often kill them.
Don't ask how I learned this...
About how many stalks should I expect to come up from one root crown? Seems there are more than one per crown.
I've read most of the questions and answers & im confused on male and female plants and what to do with the berries on the ferns? Their pretty ferns now with berries that are turning red! I live in NW Montana