Mortgage Lifters - and why not to get sick during transplant time

[EdieJ]

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We got 3 Mortgage Lifters planted, the first 2 pictures are of one of them. They all 3 look like that. Growing nice and bushy safe from critters under the insect barrier cloth. I'm thrilled about them.
I have 6 that I just have not been well enough to get in the ground. Thankfully I am starting to feel a bit better but they are well over 2 feet tall and so leggy. I was going to just bury them in trenches up to the bottom of the good growth but now they are starting to put off new growth at the bottom. So should I:
A.) Plant them just like they are
B.) Cut off the bottom growth and trench them
C.) Cut off the tops and just have the new growth at the bottom
I've never been in this situation before, not liking it one bit, and truly stymied as to how to proceed. Any advice gratefully accepted.

[MissS]

We are all eagerly watching your plants this year. If they were mine and I knew that I had 3 healthy plants in the ground, I would experiment. I would trench one, plant one as is, and then top the other. I would also then take it one step further and root the top that I cut off and plant that too. I would then stand back and watch what they do. What have you got to lose? You have 3 that were planted properly and these plants are so darn forgiving that I bet that they all do pretty darn well.
So go ahead and have some fun!

[QAGUY]

Don't top them. Cut off the bottom growth to the point you're comfortable with and plant deep or trench. It doesn't matter if you cut off new shoots/suckers. Plant will produce more. I've cut of many of them over the years and never had a problem.

[EdieJ]

I topped the tallest one (it's not a ML anyway, it's a Ponderosa Pink/Pink Ponderosa); it has a lot of growth at the bottom then almost a foot of bare stem and great growth on top. The topped part already has a fabulous root growth on it. I'm looking at this as a bonus - start one seed, get 2 plants! The other 2 I think I can plant as is. Hopefully the weird wild wacky weather is done playing April Fool with us so I can get them planted tomorrow!

[Sue_CT]

I hope you are feeling better, too!

[EdieJ]

Thanks Sue. Working on it! How's it going in your world?

[Sue_CT]

Trying to cope, lol. Haven't been feeling too well myself, the weather changes bring on my migraines. I am being monitored for an exposure to the virus at work because I went in to a room without full PPE because I was afraid someone was going to fall, but so far so good. The tomato plants are OK, having a few issues with lower leaves drying up and falling off. I was afraid maybe there were fungus gnats that I wasn't seeing so I watered in some BT and I am watching them. Whatever issues come up inside, they usually go away or outgrow them once they get planted into the garden, so I am not too worried. I am really looking forward to a little warmer weather. We have an occassional nice day in the 60s here but for the most part it is still in the 30s at night and 50s during the day with a lot of rain. Cooler than normal at this time of year. Fingers crossed for a good growing season!

[EdieJ]

Oh dear, will keep my fingers crossed for you that you stay negative for the virus. I'm sorry to hear about the migraines. That's no fun either. Hopefully your seedlings will perk up once outside.