Allotments 4 All

Hi,

We get through a lot of these at work and I was wondering if they could be used to grow seedlings in as they are not recycled.

These are the standard paper cups you get from StarB***s type places and have a slightly waxy feel, would the wax be bad for the plants/soil. (The say they are "triple wall cups"

If I can use them would they be OK for planting directly in to the ground once big enough CUP AND ALL or should I just transfer the plants themselves.


Thanks

 :-\

If they are not paper I would just use them for seedlings and then plant out. Better to be safe and know that your plants don't have any "nasties" lurking within!

;)

Hiya. I think the thing with those cups is the fact that they are waxed which means they cannot be recycled, not sure though. I'd imagine they would take a little longer to rot down so perhaps planting out with them not the answer - I would plant one though, just to see what happens. They should be totally fine to use for sowing into.
If they work don't forget to post your genius idea on top tips!!

One person on our allotments has cut the bottom off the clear plastic type and is using them collars round their seedlings

I use vending machine cups the plastic type, what do the collars do for the seedlings?

If you want pots why not chat up a local gardener as he will be throwing away thousands shortly. The best way to recycle anything is to re-use it for its designed purpose.

If your not confidant of them rooting through put a couple of slashes top to bottom with a good blade.

Quote from: Rosyred on April 24, 2007, 20:53:33
... what do the collars do for the seedlings?

No idea - I was hoping womeone would know! :)

Perhaps slugs find them hard to climb / windproofing ...

If I see the plot owners I'll ask...

We have lots of (yukky) plastic cups at work, we don't use them but the coffee vending machine people won't take them back! So I have been sticking a hole in the bottom and using them for my seedlings - tomatoes, gherkins, squash, anything that will be taken out and replanted. Guess it is better than just chucking them out.

Only thing I can think of is like a disc round the base of the cabbage to stop something or other.

Sounds like it would be worth a try! Let us know how it goes.  :)