The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on June 21, 2012, 12:19:49 pm

Title: loo rolls for planting
Post by: northfifeduckling on June 21, 2012, 12:19:49 pm

After several recommendations I tried again using the innards of loo rolls as pots for seeds with my own compost - I am very disappointed and will revert back to pots. The seedlings turn out tiny (as in inhibited growth), they dry out really quickly and turn mouldy when wet - does anyone have good experiences with them at all?  :&>

Title: Re: loo rolls for planting
Post by: in the hills on June 21, 2012, 12:54:18 pm

I used them for the first time this year. Think I prefered newspaper pots ...... mostly because I could make them the size I wanted. As for inhibited growth, I couldn't comment because just about all my veg. is suffering from inhibited growth.  ::)

Title: Re: loo rolls for planting
Post by: Hermit on June 21, 2012, 02:12:36 pm

I used to use loo rolls until I bought hundreds of seedling pots for a couple of quid off ebay. I much prefer pots.

Title: Re: loo rolls for planting
Post by: YorkshireLass on June 21, 2012, 02:12:51 pm

Nope, mouldy and crusty here  >:(


Invested in root-trainer cells/trays, so far so good  :fc:

Title: Re: loo rolls for planting
Post by: northfifeduckling on June 21, 2012, 02:25:59 pm

thanks, guys, it's not only me then where it doesn't work - back to the recycling bin in the future

Title: Re: loo rolls for planting
Post by: Bert on June 21, 2012, 05:21:02 pm

I have used loo rolls as root trainers. Only used them for my peas and sweet peas. They work quite well for me. they went a bit fury but the plants have been fine. I put the loo rolls in a seed try so they are a tight fit to stop them falling over and when seedlings are big enough I plant the hole thing.

Title: Re: loo rolls for planting
Post by: suziequeue on June 21, 2012, 06:09:50 pm

Yeah - we did loo rolls last year and  but not this year - just didn't get around to it really and we weren't doing much so had enough small pots.


I'd rather shred the loo rolls and put them on the compost heap

Title: Re: loo rolls for planting
Post by: Mammyshaz on June 21, 2012, 06:24:20 pm

I've tried it too. They always go fluffy mould and dry out so quickly. The root systems one one lot especially, were still potbound when I dug the up in the autumn. The. Loo rolls hadn't rotted at all.

I still do peas in them but peel the cardboard away as I plant. Mainly cos I'm too tight to buy pots when I can have freebees. Other pots are yoghurt pots and butter tubs  :eyelashes:

Title: Re: loo rolls for planting
Post by: omnipeasant on June 22, 2012, 07:10:43 pm

I tried it this year but they collapse too easily and same problem with mould. I prefer to use mine for puppy toys, then they end up in the compost.