Homemade Root trainers!

[veggiechicken]

Thanks BM - I was looking at that earlier. They "encourage vigorous & strong root formation; roots grow straight, avoiding root balls and pot bound plants". That's all a bit woolly speak for my enquiring mind!!
Do your "roots" grow into the ridges, as in the dreadlock pic?

[VirginVegGrower]

A question for the Root trainer owners, please. Are you sure that the purpose of the vertical grooves is to "train" roots to grow downwards? Surely a root would only circle and form a rootball if the pot were not deep enough or the plant was potbound.
Having examined the contents of my plastic recycling collection (must get a real hobby) I believe that the vertical grooves are there to add rigidity, stability and robustness to the pot. You find vertical grooves on triangular sandwich packets, fruit punnets, biscuit and chocolate trays and they will be on the sides that need the most protection to avoid damage to the contents.
So, I need proof that a seed with a deep root would not grow just as well in a deep, smooth sided container as in one with vertical grooves!

Yes I'm certain and they do grow vertically rather than around.

[Bigmallly]

Thanks BM - I was looking at that earlier. They "encourage vigorous & strong root formation; roots grow straight, avoiding root balls and pot bound plants". That's all a bit woolly speak for my enquiring mind!!
Do your "roots" grow into the ridges, as in the dreadlock pic?

Yes they do and because the trainers are sat about a quarter of an inch off the bottom of the tray, the roots come out of the bottom, hit the air, die and produce more roots.

[Bigmallly]

I don't think it is a case that the seeds don't grow as well, they are just trained to grow straight which must benefit the plant.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks VVG and BM for your advice. I shall see what happens to my solitary broad bean and, at the first sign of a root anywhere near the bottom, I'll suspend the pot using yet another Royal Mail elastic band. Watch this space!!

[Two_Sheds]

A question for the Root trainer owners, please. Are you sure that the purpose of the vertical grooves is ...

I have several RTs, and the purpose of them is to spill compost all over the place and alternately confound/depress/frustrate TS about using them

(I don't like them, they're messy)

[zazen999]

I have several RTs, and the purpose of them is to spill compost all over the place and alternately confound/depress/frustrate TS about using them

(I don't like them, they're messy)

I don't find them messy at all...are you leaving the seedlings in there until the roots fill the bottoms?

[Florence Fennel]

I have some RTs that I use mainly for sweet peas. I use those large yoghurt pots to pot on tomatoes, but I don't cut them up. When it's time to pot them on I just put my fingers around the plant and tip the pot up. I do however wish you well with your experiment VC

[morverngirl]

Oh, I've been saving all forms of cardboard rolls etc plus milk cartons to stand them in for when my seeds need to be transplanted, I'll carry on and keep my fingers crossed that my plants are happy going round in circles !

[taff]

I like them, apart from the bit where you have to push the last row in, it's always a bit tight
My roots from peas and beans and sweetcorn have grown in the past like the picture BM put up.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Taff. These 'ere root trainer thingys seem to be either liked or loathed, if the other thread is anything to go by.http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rainers-2.html
If the 2 big niggles are getting the compost in and fitting the last row in, I reckon I'm going to have to buy some, just to see for myself! -After my solitary broadbean does its stuff, of course.

[taff]

it's not that hard honestly, fit them all together, squash them all in, then throw handfuls of compost on top, and bang it on the table a couple of times to go down, then throw another couple of handfuls on, bang it again. Push the seeds in, water, top up any ones that aren't fully composted up.

well, that's how I do it.
and that's my how-to for the year done :0

[veggiechicken]

Taff, thank you for sharing your technique - I can see that you have to treat them very gently!

[biggreenfingers]

The only thing I can think of at the minute is those corrugated thingymabobs on takeout coffee cups to stop your pinkies getting burnt

[zazen999]

Please can someone explain why they have problems filling up root trainers? Me and VVG were stood in a garden centre today trying to work out why people were having problems and if you have the books, the frame and something to stand them on [the lid is dual purpose] they fill easily, and hardly spill any soil when you take the roots out and we just cannot understand why people are having problems with them. The are almost perfect!