In early April, I used some cardboard paper towel rolls that I had saved up to make mini pots. Into them went my basil, Thai basil, cilantro, dill and tomatilloes.
Over a month later, the seedlings are still looking small and weak. You can see that some of the young leaves are also turning yellow. I think the problem here is soil depth (1 1/2 inch), or lack thereof. If I were to try this again (which is doubtful), I would make the pots at least twice as deep. I ended up transplanting the seedlings into my garden earlier this week (a bit early, I know) in an effort to save them. They definitely seem happier now.
I've never found those to work either. Maybe the cardboard draws all the nitrogen out of the soil. For some reason newspaper pots work for me, but the cardboard ones just don't.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your plants. I hope they fully recover soon.
ReplyDeleteYellow leaves are probably because they were missing some nutrients in soil, or sunshine...
My tomatoes were also very yellow and once I got them outside, they are now again growing dark green leaves.
I haven't tried cardboard pots, but like Daphne the paper pots work great for me.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. I'm still trying to figure out what is the best container to start things in.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried the cardboard. I gather used plasic starters (from the nursery) from family and friends to use.
ReplyDeleteI just dip them in a 10% chlorine bath for 30 minutes, rinse well and use.
Susan
susan-chicdaisy.blogspot.com
I'd doubt it was the depth, as my soil blocks aren't any deeper than that and the seedlings grow great in them. I didn't have luck with the t. paper rolls when I tried them either, they fell apart the first time I watered them. My greatest success is definitely starting with soil blocks, with the larger seedlings (toms and peppers) potted up into large plastic cups when the roots start coming out of the blocks.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. I'll stay away from the cardboard. I've heard good things about paper pots from others. Hopefully the seedlings are ok.
ReplyDeleteI've had success with yogurt containers (both single serving and larger ones) as well as orange juice cartons. I washed them out thoroughly and let them try for a few days before adding holes for drainage. I planted garlic chive seeds in the single serving yogurt containers and later transplanted them into the larger yogurt and juice cartons and the plants seemed to do fine in them.
ReplyDeleteGood to know that I should stay away from the cardboard tubes.
Yet another reason I love my blogger friends! I had wondered about this, I think I will pass now and stick to my black plastic recycled ones. It seems we are always trading valuable advice! I am sure transplanting your seedlings helped and I hope they recover quickly!
ReplyDeleteAh, that's too bad. They work for me, both half and full size. I started my lettuce (half) and peas (full) in them and can't complain.
ReplyDeletethanks for this. ive grown some of my seedlings in a tray but been collecting the tubes for other plants. Think I might carry on just using my trays.x
ReplyDeleteI've used paper cups and recently my Dahlias germinated in them and I've hear others using them too successfully. Not sure if they're the reason, but glad to hear that your seedlings are transplanted and safe.
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