Paper Pots

officeguru

Hi fellow gardeners

This year, I decided to make paper pots.... the thought of not having to wash hundreds of them after they are all planted, spurned me on to making the little things... so found a suitable tin (small tin of sweetcorn) to wrap the paper round then off we go !!! They fit fine in my plastic trays and everything is hunky dory... or so I thought..

This afternoon, went down to the greenhouse so check that everything is fine.... transplanted more little seedlings into even smaller paper pots ... and then I noticed what looks like mould on the earlier ones... Should I worry about this or will it not matter ??

I have a feeling you lot are going to tell me that I have to dig out my plastic pots after all and get them into them before the mould does any damage.....:(

I await your replies

Cheers

splodger_seedswapper

i personally don't use paper pots - but have used empty loo rolls in the past

paper pots (and loo rolls and fibre pots) often go mouldy

i doubt it matters much - assuming what you have sown in them can be planted straight into the soil, pot and all (the idea being that the paper or card will rot away over the season)

if you have sown stuff in them - that will need potting on (toms, chili, cucs etc) you might have a problem (damping off could be one of a few issues)

as a tip - when i sown in loo roll card - i actually put compost in the gaps between the rolls and they don't seem to go mouldy as often

cootambear

dont worry. the type of mould that attacks paper isnt the same as the type that attacks plants.

Sally_A

Agree with splodger....but when i plant out plants in loo rolls, I do tend to snip down one edge to give the roots a chance to expand and grow.

Never had a problem with the mould.

misskool

I make paper pots for beans, sweetcorn, courgettes and they get mouldy if watered too much. The sun hasn't been out much the last few days so you probably didn't need to water them? Lift the tray the plants are in and you can tell if they still have enough water.

jap200

I make newspaper pots for my seedlings - don't worry about the mould, it actually helps the paper break down and won't harm the plants.

Here are some instructions to make neat square-profile pots that fit together nicely in a seed tray:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4893495_sturdy-recycled-newspaper-pots.html

NoelleV

I planted all my seeds into loo rolls chopped in half, but I was wondering what people put in the bottom to stop all the compost falling out the bottom?
I used a small square of newspapaer shoved down the loo roll, as a 'cap', to fill the hole at the bottom.

Not too sure if this is what I should be doing, but it sort of worked! But 'd be interested to see what others do!

Thanks

splodger_seedswapper

i only really use loo roll tubes for sweet peas - but actually put compost in the base of a deep pot - then plant my loo rolls - then fill them with compost (and fill the gaps between the rolls with compost too)

the reason i use it for sweet peas in particular - is because it is tricky to get the roots separated when it comes to planting out - the loo rolls stop the roots from tangling up, so they split apart so much easier.

CommitedToChange

you've inspired me and I'm gonna have a go at making paper pots for my seeds in a bit - wish me luck

Bramleyapple

I use a Paper Potter to make pots for some of my seeds - the smaller ones, usually. It's a good way to recycle old newspaper - and quite a soothing activity after a hectic day.....:)

LJM

I use loo rolls they started going mouldy last year but didn't effect anything that I grew