Cardboard pots

[Comfreyfan]

Must admit I never had much luck with loo roll middles and I haven't looked back since I was given my first root trainers as a birthday present. The loo rolls got mouldy or dried out really quickly before they were in the ground and just seemed to need more attention (I'm a bit lazy!)

[Flummery]

I swear by loo roll middles for peas and beans. You really do need to makes sure they are kept moist and you need to plant them below the soil level and draw the earth over or else the cardboard acts as a wick to draw water away from the plant. I fold them square and put them in modules so there's an air flow between them. I've been eating my Kent Blue mangetout for a couple of weeks now and they were grown in this way - not stunted by any standards!

[Dynamo]

The loo rolls got mouldy <snip>

Thats something I didn't mention about the bog roll tubes. Some of them got covered in fungus. Some of the fungi was orange and some was white.

[rustylady]

Thats something I didn't mention about the bog roll tubes. Some of them got covered in fungus. Some of the fungi was orange and some was white.

So do the peat pots, it's not a problem.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I buried them fully and watered them in well but the peas I grew were the crappest in the land. Me mum said she couldn't get on with em either, but of course whatever works for you. Stll can't make me mind up about root trainers. Some of mine don't close properly and keep popping open and when you come to plant out, even though there's loads of root system the soil sometimes falls apart, defeating the object of trying not to disturb the roots. The runners I put in this time round seem to have worked better though and a bulb planter (as suggested on here somewhere) is deffo the way to go as a companion tool to root trainers or loo rolls.

Dynamo, have a lookie here

I had the same problem `popping open root trainers` I now use two short pieces of cane down either side and two elastic bands one at each end. No more popping open.

Colin

[Rabidbun]

I've used cardboard tubes this year for most of my peas and beans and they seem fine. I don't bury them completely as I find that the inch or so of cardboard sticking up puts the blackbird off digging around the roots and killing the plants. I do tend to water every day or two when I plant them for around a week, so perhaps that gives them time to avoid the moisture wicking thing.

I use Andrex (the basic type) if that's of any help - fairly cheap inners, tend to start to unwrap when I fold them for storage.

Now, if only I could find cardboard tubes that eat snails... *has just lost an entire container of around 12 bean plants to a huge gloating snail!*

[Two_Sheds]

... bog roll tubes. Some of them got covered in fungus.

Microwave the loo rolls for a minute before use. Sorts that out

[zazen999]

I had the same problem `popping open root trainers` I now use two short pieces of cane down either side and two elastic bands one at each end. No more popping open.

Colin

I don't understand this popping open thing; I can hardly get them into the frames [they are wedged in there pretty tight] and once the plants a 3-4 inches tall, the roots are nice and sturdy and hardly any soil falls out; can we get a photo of these roottrainers that pop open? I'm genuinely bemused by this!!!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Zazen,

I don't think a pic will be necessary if I tell you mine where given to me by a friend, there is no frame, just the plastic snap shut trainers. Hence if I don't secure the sides they pop open as the roots start to form.

Hope that explains Colin

[binley100]

Bog rolls for me, never had a problem . Even sow florence fennel in them cos she doesn't like having her roots disturbed .

[zazen999]

Zazen,

I don't think a pic will be necessary if I tell you mine where given to me by a friend, there is no frame, just the plastic snap shut trainers. Hence if I don't secure the sides they pop open as the roots start to form.

Hope that explains Colin

Aah - well yes, without a frame they will pop open.

[endymion]

I've never had a lot of luck with loo roll tubes, so this year experimented a bit and put some seeds in tubes, others in thin polythene pots from the 99p shop. Same compost, same packet of seeds.

The ones in the pots grew much better, some of those in tubes came up distorted so we wondered if there's a biocide of some sort in either the cardboard or the glue that holds the last bit of paper in place.

[justgimmeethefaxmaam]

The best I have used is the newspaper pot..I found the instructions on this site.
They are marvellous,rot down quickly & help to improve the only veg bed I have.
I use them for chillies,sweet peppers,aubergine,pak choi,kai lan,romaine lettuce,tomatoes etc etc
I've converted most of my family & neighbours to them this year & all report success.
I've also had good results with loo roll inners last year & this, particually with peas & broadbeans & borlotti beans.
No sign of stunted growth at all.
I too bury the whole lot but if any is above ground I just tear it off.
It's very easy to do if they are damp enough.

[rana]

It seems from these comments that loo rolls work well if the plants are kept watered. Once I've planted stuff out and watered in for a week or two they are on their own which is probably why my experience with cardboard and peat pots has been disappointing. Are veg growers the only people who pray for warm wet summers?