Root Trainer!

[Shelle]

Another question for you.

When you say that root trainers/toilet rolls are good for those with long roots, what do you include in that category?

Looking at various posts, it seems that carrots and parsnips are good for this system, as also leeks and peas?

Are toilet rolls no good as pots for other seeds? Have been collecting them for 3 months now and am now wondering if I need so many if it is only for certain seeds (I cant plant that many anyway as I use only containers). Any advice?

[rustylady]

French and runner beans go in loo roll inners for me, possibly also broad beans - plant out the whole thing and it biodegrades (posh word for rots). I haven't tried carrots or parsnips myself but as they don't like root disturbance I think the loo rolls would work. They do tend to get mouldy, especially if kept too wet, but as other grapes have said it doesn't seem to do any harm.

[TonyF]

Momol. Rootrainers can be shipped to you direct in the Netherlands by the manufacturer. That's how I get mine.

[seasprout]

Toobs

Each year our company sends me a load of wallplanners to send out to customers, and every year we have too many. The wallplanners (A1 size) come in those cardboard tubes - so this year I am going to save the surplus tubes and use them as almight root trainers.
...

I use both. Work a treat.

If anyone wants a wallplanner by the way...

I'd love one... can you get your work to pay postage..?

[momol]

momol, if you want to use them (rootrainers) I'm happy to get some and ship out to you

Thanks Piskieinboots,

Hubby is visiting Uk soon for his work, will ask him to look for it and meanwhile will stick to the plastic cups.

Again thanks for the offer,
Momol

[momol]

Momol. Rootrainers can be shipped to you direct in the Netherlands by the manufacturer. That's how I get mine.

Hi Tony,

Just incase DH can't get them, could you provide me their web ?

Many Thanks,
Momol

[vegnut]

I tried loo tubes for sweet peas, but to no avail, they didnt grow to well. But i use rootrainers and they are brilliant. Buying some more soon,
I use them for:
Butternut squash
French beans
Runners
Courgettes
Sweetcorn
Well quite a bit. But i dont use them on any root crops. Carrots, Parsnips etc

[Woofster]

What I would like to know is if you can buy the Rootrainer "books" without having to buy the rest of the stuff i.e. frame and cover. I find them excellent but they do not last more than a couple of seasons or three for me while the rest of the equipment does hold up well. Thanks Keep it Green for starting this thread as I had been asking myself the same thing.

[TonyF]

Yes you can Woofster. Contact the manufacturers:

Ronash Ltd

www.rootrainers.co.uk

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks for the link Tony - I need to replace some of mine. I didn't know about the spacers though - good idea!

[smallblueplanet]

These are the same people and you can buy online, are the prices and p&p the same? Says they've a January Sale on, and p&p is free if ordering over £60 .

Hanicks Direct

[piskieinboots]

the 5" rootrainers are the same price online as in my local garden centre - that's odd isn't it

[Eden]

Hi everyone,
I tried the loo rolls and thought they worked ok but wet mouldy and were really difficult to move them without falling apart. I had a go at making my own root trainers out of empty 2 litre pop bottles. Cut off the top and bottom so you are left with a tube, then cut this from top to bottom, then again on the opposite side so that you are left with 2 curved pieces of plastic. Gently roll one up, and pop an elastic band to the top and bottom of tube to hold in place. When you have filled them all up stand in a tray and place a large elastic band round all of them to keep them standing upright. I grew sweet peas in them and it worked fantastic. When it came to planting them out I slipped the elastic bands off and gently unrolled the tube and they were popped straight in the ground. I gave all the tubes a quick swish in a bowl of warm soapy water and them stored them away, I've used them every year since. It's amazing how many bottles you can collect from friends etc, with 2 'root trainers' per bottle it's a pretty good saving!

[Woofster]

Yes you can Woofster. Contact the manufacturers:

Ronash Ltd

www.rootrainers.co.uk

Thanks,Tony. I had looked there but somehow did not find what I wanted. Have looked again, successfully and have ordered - they are on their way - hurray.

[gojiberry]

Root trainers are also available on amazon. I don't know how the price compares but looked reasonable.