Holes at the bottom of styrofoam cups?

Qweniden · February 27, 2011

Im using the paper-towel/plastic-bag method and I have some seeds that need to be plated in soil now.

I plan to use styrofoam cups but I am wondering if I should put holes in the bottom so water can drain out like regular pots.

Thanks.

RayR · February 27, 2011

Absolutely! Drainage is important.

Qweniden · February 27, 2011

Thanks Ray

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Stepheninky · February 27, 2011

When I use cups I like to put one hole on the side of the cup and one underneath, this keeps the ring of the cup from creating a seal if it is on a flat surface.

emzybo · February 27, 2011

I do the same thing as Stephen! It's my first year starting from seed and when my first transplants didn't drain well enough with holes on the bottom, I punched a few around the bottom sides--this enabled the next transplants to keep growing well and not drown. =)

tam91 · February 27, 2011

What size styrofoam cups do you all use?

rigdond · February 27, 2011

I've used the 8 oz with good results.

newatthiskat · February 27, 2011

I use mainly 16 oz. I don't fill them all the way up so the plant grows I can put more soil in round the stem. I poke holes most of the time in the bottom. But lower side an bottom are fine as well. Potted up 42 yesterday and now have about a million more to go. good Luck with your planting up!

rwsacto · February 27, 2011

I found it easy to take a pair of long nose pliers and pinch out a slice on the bottom edge of the Styrofoam cup about four times. This provides drainage slots on the bottom and sides. In theory, side and bottom holes improve the efficacy of bottom watering, right??

Rick

Qweniden · February 28, 2011

Thanks for all the feedback

mjc · February 28, 2011

I take a long bamboo skewer (you know the kind...the $1/pack ones for making kabobs) and run it down through a stack of cups, all at once. Since I don't put them on any smooth and flat (I put them in flats, which have ridges on the bottom).

hardwaterbob · March 18, 2011

Can u reuse them if you rinse with a weak bleach solution next yr?

mjc · March 18, 2011

Yes...they can be reused, if rinsed and dried, then stored indoors. Modern styrofoam cups don't last very long when exposed to the elements.

Barbee · March 18, 2011

I use an old fork on top of a towel and poke several holes in the bottom of the cup

b54red · March 19, 2011

I use my cordless drill with about an 1/8th inch bit and drill through a stack of 6 cups each time and usually put 3 holes in the bottom. I used to punch out the holes but they sometimes close back up and the drilled holes drain so much better. Using the drilled holes in the bottom has ended the need for more holes in the lower sides of the cups.

February 27, 2011	#1
Qweniden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 267	Holes at the bottom of styrofoam cups? Im using the paper-towel/plastic-bag method and I have some seeds that need to be plated in soil now. I plan to use styrofoam cups but I am wondering if I should put holes in the bottom so water can drain out like regular pots. Thanks.

February 27, 2011	#4
Stepheninky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 682	When I use cups I like to put one hole on the side of the cup and one underneath, this keeps the ring of the cup from creating a seal if it is on a flat surface. __________________ tomatoprojects.blogspot.com

February 27, 2011	#8
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Reply I use mainly 16 oz. I don't fill them all the way up so the plant grows I can put more soil in round the stem. I poke holes most of the time in the bottom. But lower side an bottom are fine as well. Potted up 42 yesterday and now have about a million more to go. good Luck with your planting up!

March 18, 2011	#12
hardwaterbob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Elgin, Illinois Posts: 108	can u reuse Can u reuse them if you rinse with a weak bleach solution next yr?

March 18, 2011	#14
Barbee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,818	I use an old fork on top of a towel and poke several holes in the bottom of the cup __________________ *Barbee*

February 27, 2011	#2
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	Absolutely! Drainage is important.

February 27, 2011	#5
emzybo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NE Alabama Posts: 28	I do the same thing as Stephen! It's my first year starting from seed and when my first transplants didn't drain well enough with holes on the bottom, I punched a few around the bottom sides--this enabled the next transplants to keep growing well and not drown. =)

February 27, 2011	#6
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	What size styrofoam cups do you all use?

February 27, 2011	#7
rigdond Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: S Florida Posts: 14	I've used the 8 oz with good results.

February 27, 2011	#9
rwsacto Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 288	I found it easy to take a pair of long nose pliers and pinch out a slice on the bottom edge of the Styrofoam cup about four times. This provides drainage slots on the bottom and sides. In theory, side and bottom holes improve the efficacy of bottom watering, right?? Rick

February 28, 2011	#10
Qweniden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 267	Thanks for all the feedback

February 28, 2011	#11
mjc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: WV Posts: 603	I take a long bamboo skewer (you know the kind...the $1/pack ones for making kabobs) and run it down through a stack of cups, all at once. Since I don't put them on any smooth and flat (I put them in flats, which have ridges on the bottom).

March 19, 2011	#15
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I use my cordless drill with about an 1/8th inch bit and drill through a stack of 6 cups each time and usually put 3 holes in the bottom. I used to punch out the holes but they sometimes close back up and the drilled holes drain so much better. Using the drilled holes in the bottom has ended the need for more holes in the lower sides of the cups.