Biodegradable Seedling Pots

amideutch · March 10, 2009

Just received an e-mail notification that Johnny's selected seeds are carrying in addition to CowPots another biodegradable pot called the DOT Pot. The DOT Pot is made of 80% wood fiber and 20% peat. They come in several sizes including the 4" round and also a 3 7/8" square by 7 1/8" high which caught my eye. They also have the CowPots at what seems to be a more affordable price but not as cheap as the DOT's. Worried about transplant shock, with these you won't have that problem. Here's a link. Ami

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/s...ubcategory=731

SirZoltan · March 16, 2009

Hello,

I don't know about transplant shock, but I have had absolutely terrible luck with peat pots. Granted I had such terrible luck I haven't tried any of the newer varieties.

In my experience they do NOT break down, you end up with a nice rootbound plant in your buried peat pot. Also, the peat seems to soak up a lot of the moisture when you water the seedlings. So it seems like they are continuously drying out unnecessarily.

If someone knows of something that DOES work and isn't terribly expensive, please let me know.

Just my 10 cents. [inflation and all

]

C ya,
Uncle Chad

Polar_Lace · March 17, 2009

Well Uncle Chad,

I found out that if you put the peat pots in a solid tray with plenty of water daily they don't dry out; and the roots grow way out of the peat pots. The thing is to NOT put them out in the sun. When the seedlings start to show; take a scissor and cut the cells apart, making sure you get them at least one inch apart in the watering tray. Make sure your lights are as close as possible for the seedlings to grow.

These CowPots, are made of 100% composted manure! A "manure pot" is just that..... Manure (fertilizer!) NOT made of "peat." Cow Manure!

Ever heard of "Cow Pies?" Dictionary: A small rounded pile of cow excrement.

The boys used to throw them around the place by flinging them like frisbees.

Charge: $0.02, a pie!

Oh! I forgot to tell you the cow pies are excellent for Athlete's Foot!

~* Robin

amideutch · March 17, 2009

Well, peat pots are just that, Peat. Dot pots are 80% wood fiber and only 20% peat. They should have no problem breaking down. When I pulled my plants last year there was no sign of the CowPots I had planted my plants in.
Robin, don't forget about fresh Camel Dung. Fixes what ails you. Ami

ArcherB · March 17, 2009

I purchased plants last year in these biodegradable pots last year and didn't have any problems. I'm using them this year to transplant my seedlings to before they go into the ground. Of the ones I've planted, I tore a side or two off the pot so that just-in-case" the pot doesn't degrade, one or two sides will be open to the soil.

Polar_Lace · March 17, 2009

Yup, that's the thing to do if you're not sure!

~* Robin

sirtanon · March 17, 2009

Thanks for the link!

I ordered 160 of the 2.3" diameter DOT pots, along with some interesting looking seed. Anxious to see how they fare compared to the peat ones (which I stopped using years ago because I found they caused too many problems).

..and the price is great! 160 of the pots for only $10.80.. works out to less than 7 cents per pot!

the999bbq · March 24, 2009

I'm still rolling my newspaper pots in front of the television (mostly digital replay) at 0,00 eurocents per pot ;-) No chance in the (three layers of) newspaper drying out the seedlings, no rootbound roots and hardly any damage to the roots when you would decide to unpeel the rolls at (trans)planting (as I do - I'm very confident the newspaper will be broken down in the soil rapidly but I like the unwrapping actually ;-) ), they come in any size (you make yourself), are easily watered from beneath and when they feel dry themselves the soil will probably need watering... (don't handle when wet because than they can be fragile, but to avoid that I have them in baskets so that I handle the baskets (with for instance about a 100 5cm diameter rolls) not the individual rolls until they get (trans)planted...

nothing more biodegradable than newspaper (waste) ;-)

Polar_Lace · March 24, 2009

Making seedling pots from Newspaper

~* Robin

dice · March 24, 2009

[newspaper pots]

I don't cut a seperate piece for the bottom, I just fold it
so that there is a flap sticking out past the end of the can
when I roll it up. I use a piece of tape on the side after
rolling it up around a can, tip the can upside down, fold
the flap down to make a bottom, and stick another piece
of tape on the bottom.

Masking tape tends to not stay stuck. I have used duct tape,
and that works, but I found dollar store packaging tape to be
more convenient, cheaper, and it stays stuck well despite the
moisture that the paper soaks up when watering the seedling.

Edit:
I start with a single sheet, one page wide, inside a double sheet
two pages wide, using the same fold along the spine of it that
the newspaper itself uses. Layed out flat, that is 3 pages thick.

Then I fold that almost in half the long way before rolling it around
the can. My newspaper pots end up with walls that are six sheets
thick. The bottoms are fairly lumpy with all of that paper folded up
under them, and they lean this way and that until they have sat
full of wet soil for awhile and flattened out the bottoms, but they
are quite sturdy.

eddie46 · March 25, 2009

Try this pot.
http://www.geocities.com/newspaperpots/
Ed

the999bbq · March 25, 2009

I have tried them in the past Ed, but too much of a hassle for me compared to the newspaper rolls (and too much newspaper material to make a single pot as well). Everyone has some cylindric items at home, anyone can them with any cylinder available (a simple glass for instance), just guesstimate the newspaper strip (too much is not necessary, when it is filled with soil it will exceed every expectation of its strength) and you're nearly there...

the999bbq · March 26, 2009

yes, the last tutorial has open base pots which I don't like that much.

Just let the newspaper 'overlap' the edge of the cylinder you use, more than half the diameter (or you have a gap in the middle of the base) but less than the diameter (or you have to get rid of some of the excess paper, usually leading to unstable pots)

When you start to fold the base where the last sheet stopped, and tuck the rest in after that, the newspaper is quite secure without the need of tape, staples, ... hardly any tape would stick when you start bottom watering the pots so...

I usually take strips to about 9 times the diameter long (worth three layers, 3 times pi times diameter); For the bigger pot(s) I sometimes have to fold a single strip double to have enough 'length'.

Less is more, too many layers will make sturdier pots but also to much excess in the bottom (unstable) and is not really necessary... 3 layers will do mostly in my case, they seem flimsy when empty but are good pots when filled.

Polar_Lace · March 26, 2009

I found this one on Youtube: Gardening: Making Paper Pots

LOL! It's Dave; from Dave's Garden!

~* Robin

amideutch · March 27, 2009

If any of you out there have any apprehensions concerning the use of news print in the garden this should set your mind at ease. Ami

http://www.hubergroup.info/lang/en/tipdf/49102E.PDF

March 10, 2009	#1
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Biodegradable Seedling Pots Just received an e-mail notification that Johnny's selected seeds are carrying in addition to CowPots another biodegradable pot called the DOT Pot. The DOT Pot is made of 80% wood fiber and 20% peat. They come in several sizes including the 4" round and also a 3 7/8" square by 7 1/8" high which caught my eye. They also have the CowPots at what seems to be a more affordable price but not as cheap as the DOT's. Worried about transplant shock, with these you won't have that problem. Here's a link. Ami http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/s...ubcategory=731 __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' Last edited by amideutch; March 10, 2009 at 10:40 AM.

March 17, 2009	#3
Polar_Lace Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Z8b, Texas Posts: 657	Well Uncle Chad, I found out that if you put the peat pots in a solid tray with plenty of water daily they don't dry out; and the roots grow way out of the peat pots. The thing is to NOT put them out in the sun. When the seedlings start to show; take a scissor and cut the cells apart, making sure you get them at least one inch apart in the watering tray. Make sure your lights are as close as possible for the seedlings to grow. These CowPots, are made of 100% composted manure! A "manure pot" is just that..... Manure (fertilizer!) NOT made of "peat." Cow Manure! Ever heard of "Cow Pies?" Dictionary: A small rounded pile of cow excrement. The boys used to throw them around the place by flinging them like frisbees. Charge: $0.02, a pie! Oh! I forgot to tell you the cow pies are excellent for Athlete's Foot! ~* Robin __________________ It's not how many seeds you sow. Nor how many plants you transplant. It's about how many of them can survive your treatment of them. Last edited by Polar_Lace; March 17, 2009 at 12:49 AM. Reason: PS

March 17, 2009	#4
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Well, peat pots are just that, Peat. Dot pots are 80% wood fiber and only 20% peat. They should have no problem breaking down. When I pulled my plants last year there was no sign of the CowPots I had planted my plants in. Robin, don't forget about fresh Camel Dung. Fixes what ails you. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

March 17, 2009	#6
Polar_Lace Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Z8b, Texas Posts: 657	Yup, that's the thing to do if you're not sure! ~* Robin __________________ It's not how many seeds you sow. Nor how many plants you transplant. It's about how many of them can survive your treatment of them.

March 17, 2009	#7
sirtanon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ (zone 9b) Posts: 796	Thanks for the link! I ordered 160 of the 2.3" diameter DOT pots, along with some interesting looking seed. Anxious to see how they fare compared to the peat ones (which I stopped using years ago because I found they caused too many problems). ..and the price is great! 160 of the pots for only $10.80.. works out to less than 7 cents per pot! __________________ I could sail by on the winds of silence, and maybe they won't notice... but this time I think it would be better if I swim..

March 16, 2009	#2
SirZoltan Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 11	Hello, I don't know about transplant shock, but I have had absolutely terrible luck with peat pots. Granted I had such terrible luck I haven't tried any of the newer varieties. In my experience they do NOT break down, you end up with a nice rootbound plant in your buried peat pot. Also, the peat seems to soak up a lot of the moisture when you water the seedlings. So it seems like they are continuously drying out unnecessarily. If someone knows of something that DOES work and isn't terribly expensive, please let me know. Just my 10 cents. [inflation and all ] C ya, Uncle Chad

March 17, 2009	#5
ArcherB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austin TX Posts: 200	I purchased plants last year in these biodegradable pots last year and didn't have any problems. I'm using them this year to transplant my seedlings to before they go into the ground. Of the ones I've planted, I tore a side or two off the pot so that just-in-case" the pot doesn't degrade, one or two sides will be open to the soil.

March 24, 2009	#8
the999bbq Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 191	I'm still rolling my newspaper pots in front of the television (mostly digital replay) at 0,00 eurocents per pot ;-) No chance in the (three layers of) newspaper drying out the seedlings, no rootbound roots and hardly any damage to the roots when you would decide to unpeel the rolls at (trans)planting (as I do - I'm very confident the newspaper will be broken down in the soil rapidly but I like the unwrapping actually ;-) ), they come in any size (you make yourself), are easily watered from beneath and when they feel dry themselves the soil will probably need watering... (don't handle when wet because than they can be fragile, but to avoid that I have them in baskets so that I handle the baskets (with for instance about a 100 5cm diameter rolls) not the individual rolls until they get (trans)planted... nothing more biodegradable than newspaper (waste) ;-)

March 24, 2009	#10
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	[newspaper pots] I don't cut a seperate piece for the bottom, I just fold it so that there is a flap sticking out past the end of the can when I roll it up. I use a piece of tape on the side after rolling it up around a can, tip the can upside down, fold the flap down to make a bottom, and stick another piece of tape on the bottom. Masking tape tends to not stay stuck. I have used duct tape, and that works, but I found dollar store packaging tape to be more convenient, cheaper, and it stays stuck well despite the moisture that the paper soaks up when watering the seedling. Edit: I start with a single sheet, one page wide, inside a double sheet two pages wide, using the same fold along the spine of it that the newspaper itself uses. Layed out flat, that is 3 pages thick. Then I fold that almost in half the long way before rolling it around the can. My newspaper pots end up with walls that are six sheets thick. The bottoms are fairly lumpy with all of that paper folded up under them, and they lean this way and that until they have sat full of wet soil for awhile and flattened out the bottoms, but they are quite sturdy. __________________ -- alias Last edited by dice; March 24, 2009 at 07:48 PM.

March 25, 2009	#11
eddie46 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SW PA Posts: 160	Try this pot. http://www.geocities.com/newspaperpots/ Ed

March 26, 2009	#13
the999bbq Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 191	yes, the last tutorial has open base pots which I don't like that much. Just let the newspaper 'overlap' the edge of the cylinder you use, more than half the diameter (or you have a gap in the middle of the base) but less than the diameter (or you have to get rid of some of the excess paper, usually leading to unstable pots) When you start to fold the base where the last sheet stopped, and tuck the rest in after that, the newspaper is quite secure without the need of tape, staples, ... hardly any tape would stick when you start bottom watering the pots so... I usually take strips to about 9 times the diameter long (worth three layers, 3 times pi times diameter); For the bigger pot(s) I sometimes have to fold a single strip double to have enough 'length'. Less is more, too many layers will make sturdier pots but also to much excess in the bottom (unstable) and is not really necessary... 3 layers will do mostly in my case, they seem flimsy when empty but are good pots when filled.

March 27, 2009	#15
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	If any of you out there have any apprehensions concerning the use of news print in the garden this should set your mind at ease. Ami http://www.hubergroup.info/lang/en/tipdf/49102E.PDF __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'