Topic: Paper pots

[kenkew]

Carrot seed is so small I've always mixed them with fine sand and sown direct. The only thing against that of course is that you need to thin out and thinning can attract carrot fly. I usually pull a handful of small carrots which are just about big enough to wash and eat. Pulling a handful rather than thinning individually helps against spreading the aroma.
 Planting seeds in these small pots is a possible. If I were to do it I'd sow 3/4 seeds to a pot and thin to leave the strongest one for planting out.

[tomatoada]

My tabloid newspaper is only 12" wide so it only gives me 6" when halved.
I have put some thick tape round the "raw" end as a safety precaution.
Otherwise many, many thanks for taking the trouble  to explain.
I am still trying.  Have given myself an E for effort so far.

[caseylee]

I use the paperpots for everyhting now, they are wonderful, I am so bored inthe evenings so I make hundreds of them, I have made my boys 50 each and they are going to sow the carrots in them ( trying to tach them hom to use one seed as a time) and then wait for them to be a bit bigger and plant them in the lottie

[kenkew]

My tabloid newspaper is only 12" wide so it only gives me 6" when halved.
I have put some thick tape round the "raw" end as a safety precaution.
Otherwise many, many thanks for taking the trouble  to explain.
I am still trying.  Have given myself an E for effort so far.

Tape isn't really a good idea. It doesn't breake down in the soil. You'll find that as your seedlings develope roots they will hold the soil in the pot. Just don't lift the pots out of the tray until planting out time.
 As an extra, you could put a bit of wallpaper paste on the final wrap.
Ken.

[kenkew]

I use the paperpots for everyhting now, they are wonderful, I am so bored inthe evenings so I make hundreds of them, I have made my boys 50 each and they are going to sow the carrots in them ( trying to tach them hom to use one seed as a time) and then wait for them to be a bit bigger and plant them in the lottie

Sweet-peas are a great starter for kids. Easy to handle, easy to sow and give good fast results.
 I always sow 2 to a pot, and I alwasy get at least one to grow....usually both.
 Don't soak, just push into the compost with a pencil about a half inch and water. Don't water again until the compost is starting to look a bit dry. Usually about an egg-cup a day should be fine.
Ken.
(I have a few hundred left over from seed I collected last year and already have around 50 popping up!)

[kenkew]

Film pots ready to go.

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[kt.]

Here is the step by step video guide. Just found it tonight.

http://www.ehow.com/video_1745_create-seed-starting.html

[kenkew]

If you don't mind me saying so, that's a good way of how not to make paper pots!

Too much paper for starters. She even says the paper won't break-down fast enough and you need to take the seedling out before planting, sort of spoils the idea of non-root disturbance. She also makes pots with very little depth and no bottom support, or at least a hole in the bottom. She also uses a glass as a former-dangerous- idea and she also had a heck of a job getting the paper off the glass.
 I'll stick to my mushy-peas open ended tin.......... :D

[kenkew]

A piece of plastic pipe also makes a mid-size former.
2" across and about 3" long.
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If you're a clever trousers you can cut and warm the edge.
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...and bend inwards for finger grips.
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[kenkew]

Tried the above on out yesterday. Works a treat.

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Pic of sweatpea roots through paper pot. No problem!
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