Paper Pots for seedlings

obmar · Paper Pots for seedlings

This one uses newspaper, biodegradable too

Details

This device enables you to turn strips of old newspaper into biodegradable plant pots for seedlings. Once you have hardened off the young plants, transplant them in their biodegradable paper pots without damaging their tender roots.

Children love making paper pots and this innovative and simple gadget can be used to teach an invaluable lesson about sustainable living. Instructions on the box.

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http://www.geocities.com/newspaperpots/

Or make your own newspaper bags

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http://jennylitchfield.wordpress....pots-for-transplanting-seedlings/

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http://www.hidden-knowledge.com/garden/may97/paperpots.htm

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Lately the seedlings are all over the place and looks that they grow well too.

Although not using the paper posts yet.

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http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_lawns.../0,1785,HGTV_3600_1385239,00.html

Seed-Starting Products
Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-522 -- More Projects »
Host Paul James describes a variety of products to make seed-starting easier and more effective:

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Figure A
Self-contained systems are appealing for a number of reasons, mainly because they are basically self-watering. One particular plastic foam version is reusable and makes the process practically foolproof. Filling the reservoir with water is the first step. After that, you place the capillary mat on the pegboard stand (figure A) and set the stand in the reservoir, making sure the mat is in contact with the water. (The pegboard stand is also used to eject seedlings from their cells, and the reservoir comes with a plastic hood to maintain proper humidity). The capillary mat wicks up water from the reservoir and keeps the potting mix moist from the bottom up--an ideal situation for starting seeds.

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Figure B
Depending on the size of the plants you're growing, you need to add water to the reservoir only once a week or so. The plastic foam packages also come in a variety of cell sizes for starting seeds or potting up seedlings (figure B). As for the capillary mats, they can be purchased separately and are useful for any system such as peat pots or the more familiar plastic pots and trays.

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Figure C
Another system has extra deep cells to encourage exceptionally healthy roots (figure C). The plastic cells allow roots to grow as long as five inches, and each cluster of cells opens like a book to simplify routine root inspection.

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Figure D
If foam and plastic don't suit your ecological conscience, you may want to try a honeycomb starter made of biodegradable paper (figure D). You simply fan out the honeycomb to fill the cells with potting mix. Available in several sizes, the tightly-packed arrangement not only saves space, it reduces moisture loss as well. Because there's no bottom, the roots are naturally air-pruned and yield nice, dense root balls. When it's time to put the sprouted seeds in the ground, just separate the pots and plant them along with the seedlings.

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Figure E
A similar alternative provides a nearly endless supply of paper pots while helping to recycle old newspaper. All it takes is a strip of newspaper rolled around a maple press, folded under at the bottom and twisted into the base (figure E). You then slip the pot off the press, fill it with soil and plant your seed. These paper pots can also be planted in the ground along with the seedling, which means there's virtually no risk of transplant shock. Because most newspaper ink is soy-based, the entire pot is biodegradable.

You don't need pots at all if you start your seeds with a soil block maker. Market gardeners have long used them in pursuit of both economy and quantity. Just fill the container with moist soil or potting mix, pack well, eject the blocks of soil and plant the seeds in the ready-made holes.

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Figure F

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Figure G
Soil block makers also come in two sizes to make different sizes of cells (figure F). The larger size comes with an insert to accommodate blocks from the smaller block maker, allowing you to transplant from a smaller to a larger block with no concern about transplant shock.

Precision seeders make easy work of planting seeds (figure G). You can pick up the tiniest seeds one at a time, and by gently squeezing the rubber ball, you can deposit the seed exactly where you want it. Three different tips are available for handling different sizes of seeds, even the ones you can barely see. These seeders are also great for garden work by virtually eliminating the tedious task of thinning.

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http://birdnestontheground.blogsp...make-newspaper-seedling-pots.html

Using a glass (a straight sided one if possible, as it makes this step just a little easier, but you don't have to have it, I didn't). Place the lip of the glass on the "raw" edges which should make the glass stick out from the bottom fold just enough for you to grasp the glass. Starting at the end, roll the glass the entire length of the paper.

Tuck the folded edge at the top of the glass to the inside of the glass. You don't have to be too neat, but it turns out a tad better if you make a little effort. I give it an extra little press with my fingers. Holding the paper at the top of the glass, pull the glass out of the newspaper.

Starting at the loose "seam" (at the bottom of the glass, which is really the top of the pot) turn under about a half inch to the inside of the pot...a bit at a time...go completely around the glass. Repeat. Pinch the fold well. You should have a pretty neat edge. This will be the top of the pot.

Set the pot on the table and with your fingers, reach in and press the paper sticking up down in an overlapping fan shape. This flattens out the bottom of the pot. Give it an extra press, so it stays together. It should stand up by itself.

I actually made some smaller ones by using half of the sheet used to make this one, although they are harder to turn. These little pots are just terrific and you can plant pot and all when your seedlings are ready to go into the ground.

Now, realize that you can go out into cyberspace and find much better instructions than these...but for now..I'm what you've got! Give it a try - it's fun and sort of like eating potato chips...I had to make a bunch just for the heck of it. (Have you guessed I'm obsessive/compulsive?) Right now, I'm thinking they would be pretty cute used (decoratively) for other things...let's see, wrapped hard candy, buttons, paper clips, stones, birdseed, marbles, etc. (Oh, gosh, I just filled one with buttons...just too cute!!) Let me know if you make some! Take care. Pat

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http://www.associatedcontent.com/...ke_a_seed_starting_pot_using.html

This is the time of year to start those seeds that we won't be sowing directly into our gardens - tomatoes and peppers, perennial herbs, gourds, eggplant and flowers. There are a variety of options at any nursery or garden center for starting seeds, ranging from simple peat pots to full seed-starting kits. In the past I have spent a fair amount of money on different types of seed starting arrangements, until I discovered I can have what amounts to the same product for free! I have found there is no need to spend your hard-earned money on commercial seed starting pots, because it doesn't take a single cent to make your own newspaper seed starting pots at home.

Some garden catalogs or websites offer a wooden device for making newspaper pots. Most sell for around fifteen dollars. I have found that such a gadget is unnecessary to successfully create seed starting pots - you can use simple items you have around the house.

To make your pots, gather old newspapers (black and white pages only, don't use pages with colored ink), and a tall, thin can like a spray paint can. It helps if the can has a concave bottom as most spray paint cans do. Tear your newspaper into five-inch strips. Each strip will make one pot.

Roll a single strip of newspaper onto your can, leaving two inches hanging off the bottom of the can. Don't roll the paper too tightly, or the pot may be difficult to slide off. When the entire strip is rolled onto the can, pinch the bottom paper closed in a bunch, and thump the bottom of the can down onto a hard surface. Then slide the paper pot off the can.

Using your newspaper pots is simple. Fill each paper pot to the top with your seed starting mix. When you water, the soil will settle at a lower level. Add your seeds to the soil and then water well. The pots are best kept in a shallow tray with holes or in a wooden crate, so that excess water can drain out. The small pots dry out easily and must be watered often to keep the soil moist. When the seedlings are ready to plant out, all you need to do is tear open the bottom of the pot and plant. The remainder of the paper pot will disintegrate in the soil and disappear.

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