How I learned to start seeds and a paper pot question

15 years ago

I am not very good a picking the right forum to post something, there are so many to choose from. So, I hope I am in the right place.

First off, I am a pretty new gardener. So have no clue what I am doing. I began to veggie garden in 2005.

All my past attempts are trying to start seed inside failed badly. But with our harsh weather it is often hard to get seeds to sprout outside. It is often too hot and or to dry or too wet. But all the same I usually direct seeded. Seeds did ok in spring but fall root crops did not seem to want to come up in the time of year I was suggested to sow them. Mid august and sept. Still gating 95-100 days in august and a little less in sept.

So, I thought I would start over and try again. I knew my using garden soil was a big part of the problem. But I am cheapskate, so that explains it. Everyone is my family is a cheapskate so there must be a cheapskate gene.

I began by looking for help in how to do this right.

I used the advice on this site to start veggie seeds inside.

Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors That Thrive

http://www.weekendgardener.net/plant-propagation/vegetable-seeds-020702.htm

I choose this starer mix since it has no chemical fertilizers

natural beginnings seed starting mix

http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=1308

and I used newspaper pots using this site as a guide

"Make Your Own Plantable Seed Starter Pots"

(gardenweb will not alow the link to this one)

Amazingly, I had great luck (this time) in getting seed to sprout and survive outside after setting them out, all except the beets. The rutabaga, carrots, root chicory and radishes did fine, but the flour and water glue I used to seal the pots causes mold. Not a good thing for seeds or seedlings. Smells bad too.

So, does anyone have an idea how to get pots to stay together in a less moldy way?

I was thinking a origami pot but I would have to learn something new. I am no not good at that. But if that is my only option, I guess I will go that way.

Here is one origami pot I found on-line

http://www.geocities.com/newspaperpots/

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Comments (3)

sewobsessed
15 years ago
Mary,
those folded pots are exactly what I use to start seeds inside and find they work very well. I just use a stapler and one staple to attach the flaps on each side. The staples rust away in no time.
Honestly, I've never heard of using flour for something like this - I could see where it would become a huge problem.

For fall (or spring) seeds, you might want to try starting them in milk jugs in the shade. This technique works very well for seed starting also.
The how: milk jug how to
The forum: wintersowing
Nancy Barginear
15 years ago
I don't know if this will be of any help. I plant my daylily seeds in a mixture of 2 parts of peat moss, 1 of vermiculite and 1 of perlite. I add water and soak it overnight before filling the cups. I buy the big bale of peat moss, so it cuts down on the cost. I punch holes in the bottoms and around the bottom edge of styrofoam cups, and fill them with the mix. (16 oz plastic drink cups will do, too.) I set them in aluminum foil roasting pans, and fill the pans with water. Once the seeds get their second set of leaves, I start adding one scoop of Schultz's Expert Plant Food to a gallon of water, and keep them in that solution until I am ready to transplant them. It is easy to slide out the plants, "soil" and all when ready to transplant.

I just recently bought a mini green house, which is actually 4 shelves, with a zippered plastic cover that fits over it. It was only $30. It holds the pans of cups perfectly.

You could also get some inexpensive plastic storage bins at Wal-Mart, drill holes in the bottom and set them in the aluminum foil pans. Just a few ideas for you.

Don't try and move the pans if they are full of water and cups, as they will bend on you. I remove the cups, throw out the water every few days, put the cups back in and refill with fresh water.
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editornj
15 years ago
Thanks for the tip!

Do you HAVE to transplant? Or can you just stick the paper pot in the ground, eventually?

Does the last flap of the paper cup have to be secured? Setting it upright and putting soil in isn't enough to keep the flap closed?

Thanks!