Topic: How to make Newspaper Pots...

[kippers garden]

Thought this may interest some on here 'How to make Newspaper Pots'...
 
(it's about halfway down the post) :

http://notjustgreenfingers.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/living-the-good-life-and-how-to-make-newspaper-pots/

Hope it helps someone out there

[Susiebelle]

Thanks for posting, never tried but think I might now have a go.

[aj]

Those are not the best pots as they are so thick the paper takes ages to rot down when in the ground, and the rim acts like a wick drawing moisture up and into the air, thereby it taking even longer for the paper to rot down.

Me and my students have trialled many over the years and this is the best design - we made about 100 today in fact...

http://linearlegume.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/paper%20pot%20design

[bluecar]

Hello all.

Whilst I wouldn't like to get into a debate as to which is the best, I would think if the paper pots are wet when put into the ground, they will start to disintegrate (decompose) sufficiently quickly for the  roots to be able to develop. The important point is to ensure the paper pot is planted so as none of it is above ground, as if it is, it can draw moisture from the ground.

Regards

Bluecar

[geof]

I have one of these:

http://www.spottygreenfrog.co.uk/Gardening-for-Children/Paper-Pot-Makers-and-More/Paper-Pot-Maker/p-53-185-104/

There is no need to use any tape - as the crushing of the paper into the little recess in the base stops the pot from coming undone. All you need is some old paper - wrap it round the top - push into base - job done. Kids love making them - so I am told.

[Digeroo]

I like your pot aj.  We do not have much newspaper and this does not require any device.   I did find I did need to crease the bottom otherwise it had a point rather than being flat.   Might make bigger ones for keeping seeds in.

[aj]

I have one of these:

http://www.spottygreenfrog.co.uk/Gardening-for-Children/Paper-Pot-Makers-and-More/Paper-Pot-Maker/p-53-185-104/

There is no need to use any tape - as the crushing of the paper into the little recess in the base stops the pot from coming undone. All you need is some old paper - wrap it round the top - push into base - job done. Kids love making them - so I am told.

I found these didn't degrade fast enough - whereas the ones with just the half sheet of A4 kept the root ball intact enough and rotted down within a couple of days - also no wick where these ones did wick the moisture out when planted in the ground.

[Paulh]

I have one of these:

http://www.spottygreenfrog.co.uk/Gardening-for-Children/Paper-Pot-Makers-and-More/Paper-Pot-Maker/p-53-185-104/

There is no need to use any tape - as the crushing of the paper into the little recess in the base stops the pot from coming undone. All you need is some old paper - wrap it round the top - push into base - job done. Kids love making them - so I am told.

I found these didn't degrade fast enough - whereas the ones with just the half sheet of A4 kept the root ball intact enough and rotted down within a couple of days - also no wick where these ones did wick the moisture out when planted in the ground.

I've used a tool like that for several years and it works very well. I take a strip across a double page of a newspaper (not full broadsheet), a third of the depth. It holds together while the seedling develops but rots quickly when planted. The key thing is to cover the paper completely when you plant, then there is no wicking. The roots penetrate the paper, even before you plant. One of the best gadgets I've ever bought!

[Aden Roller]

I have one of these:

http://www.spottygreenfrog.co.uk/Gardening-for-Children/Paper-Pot-Makers-and-More/Paper-Pot-Maker/p-53-185-104/

There is no need to use any tape - as the crushing of the paper into the little recess in the base stops the pot from coming undone. All you need is some old paper - wrap it round the top - push into base - job done. Kids love making them - so I am told.

I found these didn't degrade fast enough - whereas the ones with just the half sheet of A4 kept the root ball intact enough and rotted down within a couple of days - also no wick where these ones did wick the moisture out when planted in the ground.

I've used a tool like that for several years and it works very well. I take a strip across a double page of a newspaper (not full broadsheet), a third of the depth. It holds together while the seedling develops but rots quickly when planted. The key thing is to cover the paper completely when you plant, then there is no wicking. The roots penetrate the paper, even before you plant. One of the best gadgets I've ever bought!

I think you and I may well have made our pots in a similar the past. You can also use aerosol cans or any similar cylindrical shape. "Pot Makers" made from wood are excellent and so easy to use. In an evening I can fill a carrier-bag with paper pots for use the next day while sitting in front of the goggle-box..

Wicking? You may be right - I had never noticed and probably planted some with paper sticking up. Last year it was so wet it may even have been an advantage!