Congrats on the impressive recovery. I know you were pretty disappointed with the meltdown, but it looks like you made lemonade out of your lemons. Good Luck on the rest of your season!

Tim

When I put plants out that size I just stick them in their final pot and cut the top and bottom out of a can and stick it over them.
it allows for quick root growth and only allows full sun when the sun is straight up only.
Might keep moisture in the top layer of soil too so plants are a little happier until they grow enough roots to fill the pot.
Seems to keep some of the pests away too.
Can't do it with bigger plants...
Also somewhat acts like putting plastic over your plants on cold nights.
Since the top is open the plants don't get cooked like if you use soda bottles with the bottoms cut out for mini greenhouses.

Cans with white insides seem to promote branching.I think the white might reflect enough light inside the can.
I remove the can after a week or so-whenever the plant starts getting bigger than the can.

Kevin, nice rebound on the growing season, plants looking great and a nice selection of peppers.

Mark

Thanks guys. One would think that I've been doing this a few years that I would have it buttoned down. But, that's the problem--- I tried to make things semi-perfect and ended up screwing the pooch.. Too much Gardenweb...LOL.

Mike: That's funny. I do the same thing "kinda." But I take Arrowhead water bottles(HDPE) and cut them in half. I do it more for cutworms, slugs and warmth though. At this point, I don't know if I could come up with 30 empty cans. Good idea though. :)

Kevin