Plastic seed tray (insert type) OR fibre pots?

I used the peat pots once. They were great. No root disturbance at all. They need more water though as they dry out quicker.

I've since learned that bog roll tubes do exactly the same job but for free. A whole bog roll tub for big things like beans, or half a tube for smaller plants. I don't put a bottom on them, I simply pack the compost in as tight as I can then it just stays in. I leave the top inch loose though, for the seeds to get started in. Worked a treat last year. This year I'm using plastic seed tray inserts, just because I've been experimenting with my grow cupboard and figured the 'conventional' approach would be simplest while I'm experimenting.

 

I've used both, prefer the plastic ones, when the roots come through the sides of the peat pots if you don't keep them wet enough the roots can actually start to dry out!!!

Val

 

Personally I've never liked those peat-type pots that you "plant whole". I think they dry out in the ground and are a barrier to the roots growing through them effectively. If you go down that route make sure that NONE of the "pot" is left showing above ground when planted,a s it will act as a wick to dry them out and that will adversely effect the plants' roots being able to grow through them. The ones I have used were still very much "looking like original" after a season when I pulled the spent plants up ...

Whereas there is no trace, in the ground, of the newspaper pots at the end of the season Loo rolls similar (but the point about not leaving anything sticking out above ground, that could act as a wick, applies to both those too).

My general approach is:

Stuff that gets planted out quickly can go into a module. I use flimsy tray liners that last a couple of seasons if I'm careful.

Anything that will be potted on, or will plant out but needs a reasonable root-run (e.g. Broad Beans) gets a 3" pot

Anything that will be a bit longer before it is planted out (and is not potted on), such that there is a risk it might need to be "held" for a week or two, for duff weather or similar, gets a 9cm pot. This are marginally bigger than a 3" pot and provide a bit more "holding time".

I bought some used 9cm pots off eBay last year, I see he's selling them again this year:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181073650538
£10 for 500, although the carriage is a bit hefty unless you live in Dorset, or can buy multiple lots to spread the cost. They were half way between top quality rigid pots like Sankey and flimsy ones, so will do several seasons.

Of course if you pot-on to 9cm then the plants take up a fair bit of space ... but if you cramp them then they suffer as a result I think.

 

I have just pricked out my Chillies into plastic coffee cups , they are nice and deep plus I can put about 18 in a plastic gravel tray . To put the holes in I place a pile of 5 onto a block of wood and drill 2 x 6mm holes though them - it only takes a minute.
I like the plastic 6 cell inserts or 15 cell full tray insert , and as Kristen said you can get 2 or 3 seasons use from them. The Wilkos square 9 cm pots are good far better than round pots , you can get 12 in a gravel tray at a squeeze
http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/seed-t...nt pot&VBMTC=1207b7ffb3cc543e76c770f5a5bc1b45
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-Cell-Pl...Pots_Window_Boxes_CV&var=&hash=item5aebcd32e6

 

I agree with Val , plus if it gets a dry spot its hard to get it wet and so easy to over water and can quickly dry out , plastic for me , I have tried the cardboard tubes mine always fell apart .

Spruce

 

Same here Spruce tried toilet tubes for my SPs , ended up with a soggy mess !

 

Black or blue mushroom (or other product) trays from the supermarkets, holes burned in the base with a soldering iron. While you are picking up your mushrooms try and see if there is a clear plastic tray off another product for the lid.


ALL FREEEEEE. Cheers, Tony.

 

I have also tried the peat/fibre pots and had good success with vigorous plants like runner beans and toms, but anything else I stick to plastic; either cells or pots and pot on as needed before planting out.

If you use a fibre/peat pot or loo roll/newspaper pot always make sure they're well soaked before planting out and as Kristen says make sure they're buried and none is exposed..

 

Interesting question ... I'll start a new thread to discuss
http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/square-vs-round-pots.50075/

 

In my case those would all be potted on into bigger pots before finally getting planted. Tomatoes get potted on to 10" or 12" before planting out into the border, Cucumbers probably around 4L and Courgettes probably 3L. Depends how quickly you plant out of course, in my case I hold then in the Conservatory which is warmer than the greenhouse as long as possible to take advantage of the "free" warmth without having to pay for heating.

Many will plant out when small into cold greenhouse and let them make their own way from there.

Either way, for anything I was planning to pot-on I would use a "rigid" pot for the intermediate stages, rather than a peat-pot.