Soggy lo rolls

[COMPOST CORNER]

Having tried the loo roll centre method for starting sweetcorn a few years ago, I found that the cardboard was collapsing after a week or two of watering. I had them standing in a seed tray, tied together on a 5x5 block. Any suggestions to stop these useful cardboard tubes becoming papier mache before I can get them into the ground?

[Eco-Chic]

Stop watering them

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll grab me coat!

[SarzWix]

I stood mine in empty ice cream tubs, so they were supported nearly all the way up. None of mine collapsed before making it into the ground, just went a bit mouldy... Perhaps you were over-watering them?

[ann-the-nan]

soggy lo rolls

Definitely sounds as though you are over watering. So long as the bottom bit is wet, the top bit can be dryer. Mine all stand in a stork margarine tub.

[lyndap]

Just water from the bottom,never the top.It does sound like you are over watering.Mine stand in a waterproof tray lined with newspaper.I just make sure the newspaper is wet at all times and the soil in the loo roll seems to stay damp enough for the corn to get the moisture it needs.

[Lavenderblue]

I water from the bottom too. I stand them in an inch or so of compost and water from the bottom. Nice and stable and no floppiness.

[Emmylou]

Just a question about the loo rolls! Is it best to cut them in half? or use 'full' length? or does it depend what you are planting in them?

[Two_Sheds]

Full length - they soon fill up with roots.

Water them from the top if they are getting too soggy. Little and often.

[Demeter]

My first go at loo rolls. I have them in a 24-cell module tray, one roll poked into each cell. The compost is in the tubes and also in the cells around the tubes. I use one of those "houseplant" watering cans with a long narrow spout to water them so I can pour the water accurately onto the compost, avoiding the tubes, They seem OK so far and have not even gone mouldy.

Like this:

[gojiberry]

I do the same as Demeter as far as watering goes, a small watering can and try to just water the compot.

Ian

[kate&rob]

same here, this year i have put mine in the micro for a minute before planting, as suggested in a prev thread, and none have gone mouldy.

[Maximillian]

Defo overwatering. Have been using loo rolls for years for corn courgettes peas and beans. Great cos you can plant the whole lot together. Put mine in grape or tomato platic containers from supermarket. Also use kitchen roll tubes cut in half.