Root trainer query

[jackyspratty]

Thanks for tips, really appreciated again! Think Im just feeling the urge to get going, but the lotty is still frozen so cant get much done up there. Have couch grass to sort, beds to make.......so really just spenndning time writing down tips and organising! Also trying to put off stripping paint off woodwork in hallway (sssh!)

[BUFFS]

i use those large yoghurt pots,about 6ins tall,and come with a clear plastic lid,use some as propergators,just wash them out and use again,i use a heated skewer to pop holes in the bottom,then its all sorted...

[Alison]

i use those large yoghurt pots,about 6ins tall,and come with a clear plastic lid,use some as propergators,just wash them out and use again,i use a heated skewer to pop holes in the bottom,then its all sorted...

Do you mean that you use one of those pots for each bean (or whatever!) or do you plant a few in each? The beauty of root trainers is that they don't really use that much compost considering how long you can keep the plant in there. I can see the yoghurt pots being good for some things but would seem a different thing but then again I'm easily confused.

[Brengirl]

I am very pleased my polystyrene cups. I cut the bottom off the top one and poked holes for drainage in the lower one. When planting out I just remove the bottom one. Hey presto

[Alison]

Do you plant with the top one insitu then Bren?

[Brengirl]

Do you plant with the top one insitu then Bren?

Yes. I half fill the bottom one then push the bottomless one into it. Fill the top one and plant seed.

[Alison]

I am very pleased my polystyrene cups. I cut the bottom off the top one and poked holes for drainage in the lower one. When planting out I just remove the bottom one. Hey presto

Yes. I half fill the bottom one then push the bottomless one into it. Fill the top one and plant seed.

Sorry, didn't explain myself properly, I meant planting out ie you say you remove the bottom one but don't mention the top one and I'm struggling to visualise.

[Brengirl]

I am not quite sure how I will plant them. I tried a cucumber yesterday and decided to leave the top half on. By gently squeezing the bottom cup you can easily lift the roots out. If the main stem gets too large the cup can be slit down and removed. Well that's the plan anyway.

[BUFFS]

Do you mean that you use one of those pots for each bean (or whatever!) or do you plant a few in each? The beauty of root trainers is that they don't really use that much compost considering how long you can keep the plant in there. I can see the yoghurt pots being good for some things but would seem a different thing but then again I'm easily confused.

i usually put two bean seeds in each large yoghurt pot and plant them out together,i give them a bit of extra room when planting out and they just seem to grow away from each other,works with runners and with the "cobra" climbing french bean,it gives fantastic crops doing this,if it ddnt work,i wouldnt be hoarding the tubs all winter,just as well OH loves her yoghurts so much