How can I waterproof this?

[mothhawk]

I have a cardboard tube (well, potentially dozens, as they are thrown away at work), and think it would make a perfect 'bee log' if I could make it waterproof. Does anyone have an idea what I could paint it with that would waterproof it without poisoning any bees or other insects that might use the hollow stems I plan to put inside? I have tried wrapping one in polythene, but it went mouldy eventually under the plastic.



Or does anyone have any ideas for alternative uses for it/them?

The diameter edge to edge is 90mm, the wall thickness is about 8mm and length is 220mm, although we do have longer tubes too..

[julesapple]

Hot beeswax?

It's natural, no nasty chemicals. It should sink into the cardboard tube if you can keep it hot whilst painting it on.

[veggiechicken]

Can you pack the tubes inside something that is waterproof - like a big flowerpot, hung on its side?
They'd be good for growing parsnips, carrots, leeks or anything that needs a long root.

[Glutton4...]

Can you pack the tubes inside something that is waterproof - like a big flowerpot, hung on its side?...

... or a drain pipe.

[veggiechicken]

I knew there was something round and waterproof but I'm darned if I could think of it
Probably thinking of an umbrella

[marchogaeth]

I think the problem with your cardboard tubes will be that moisture will seep in on the ends between the layers so unless you can soak the whole thing in oil it is not likely to last. Sorry not helpful. I'm sure you could use them as growing on pots for things like cabbage as long as you didn't mind the fact that they were deteriorating all the time, too thick to use like loo rolls though.

[taff]

If it's compacted it's not going to rot that quickly. I have quite a few much bigger ones from theinsides of reels that are still not rotted after 3 years in the garden.
They'll probably last the winter as they full of tubes and tied with string around the outside in two or three places.
Or place under a piece of wood, or tarpaulin or something like that.

[mothhawk]

Thanks, everyone, for the input.

Beeswax sounds like a good idea Jules - I'll definitely try that, I've got a couple of beeswax candles somewhere I can melt down. If I could wax them inside and out and dip the ends there would be no seepage in through the ends.

The tube is slightly wider than the average drainpipe, G4, (and if I had a drainpipe, wouldn't need the cardboard )

VC, I think the rain would still get to the cardboard inside a flowerpot. I like the idea of growing leeks in them though, they'd blanch well and stay much cleaner I'll give that a go next spring.

[Two_Sheds]

Cardboard just isn't, and isn't meant to be, waterproof.

tbh, you'd be better just making the bee tubes out of a suitable material: eg. hollow bamboo canes

[Veggielot]

Was speaking to a man who keeps bees and has polystyrene hives and he paints the with ordinary gloss paint. He has been doing this for years and it doesnt appear to have harmed his bees.

As you have a plenty I would be tempted to just use them as they are, they sound quite robust, just make a basic V shaped roof and attach them underneath.

Another use I have seen is a collar around newly planted seedling although never tried it myself.

[mothhawk]

Cardboard just isn't, and isn't meant to be, waterproof.

tbh, you'd be better just making the bee tubes out of a suitable material: eg. hollow bamboo canes

But they're free, and I don't grow bamboo - I use Jerusalem artichoke stems - one stem cut up into 7" lengths will almost fill the cardboard tube. Delphinium stems are good too.

[Two_Sheds]

It might have already been suggested:

Pop the cardboard tube inside a plastic pop bottle (one or two litre).

You don't grow bamboo, but they're sold anywhere for about 20p a cane. the fatter ones tend to be the best, hollowest ones

[marchogaeth]

Japanese knotweed is excellent for nice big hollow stems.

[mothhawk]

It might have already been suggested:

Pop the cardboard tube inside a plastic pop bottle (one or two litre).

You don't grow bamboo, but they're sold anywhere for about 20p a cane. the fatter ones tend to be the best, hollowest ones

Thinking about my carbon footprint though.....

[mothhawk]

Japanese knotweed is excellent for nice big hollow stems.

Oh good idea. There's a patch growing wild near me. I keep quiet about it 'cos once you cut it green or try to kill it, that's when it spreads like a bush fire This patch has been growing for 30 years, and is still just a neat 4ft wide patch. But I can get the dead stems no problem, well, apart from the defensive wall of nettles around it...