growing veg in paper pots? Propagator lids?

Now I have the method of making paper pots down to a fine art ! Can I grow any seedlings in the paper pots? And basic question - do I use a propagator lid all the time - even if I am growing things in my 'plastic' greenhouse? And do I use a propagator lid over the paper pots?

Cheers

 

You need to cover pots / trays that you sow seeds in. In the old days we used to put a sheet of glass over them (and some newspaper as I recollect it). Most seeds packets I read now say "Don't exclude light as it assists germination", I have no idea if that is new-thinking though as I certianly don't remember that nugget from when I was a lad.

Anyways, I grow most seeds in 1/4 sized seed trays using John Innes (soil based) Seed compost. Then I prick out into pots. For the couple of things that can't be transplanted (Carrots and Parsnips) I sow two seeds per paper-pot and then pull one out when they both germinate

For anything that has large seeds I "chit" them in a tupperware tub with a damp sheet of kitchen paper under the seeds, and another over them (or for smaller amounts of seed I use a ramekin). As soon as the little root appears I put them into their pots - i.e. one per pot. Advantage of this is that I don't have to waste half the seed, and I get to see what the "failures" are, so they aren't planted into pots (avoiding wasting pots / compost which would be the case if I sowed one-seed-per-pot).

I do this for Sweetcorn, French / Runner beans, Swwetpeas and a few other things. If the seed packet says "Soak overnight" or "Sandpaper the seed" (Yeah, right, like I have the patience to do that!) then it gets the kitchen-paper-chitting treatment.

For things that don't like to be transplanted (mostly just Root crops) I use paper ports, for everything else I use plastic pots. (I actually use plastic pots for Beetroot and Beleriac, without undue problems, so I wonder if "ball-rooted" crops are less bothered about being transplanted? I've grown Celeriac half-and-half Paper pots and Plastic pots, so I can ll compare the results

I tend to use 3" pots for things that will be potted on into larger pots, and 90cm (3.5") for things that will go straight out - so they have a bit more compost / room - sometimes I'm not ready to plant them out when they want to be planted out! and the 90cm pots will give me a bit of extra time.

For beans I use modules - they grow like fury anyway, no need to give them a whole 90cm of soil each!

For seeds that I sow directly into pots (i.e. parsnip and carrot) I cover them with newspaper until they germinate - to stop them drying out. I water them every day with a misting bottle - i.e. to keep the top of the compost moist to help germination - they are a bit of a so-and-so to get to germinate anyway!

However, on the basis that light may be required, I have thought about covering with cling film - so sort of poor-man's-propagator style!

 

Great post K..
Really descriptive, and Im sure will be a help to many of our newish gardeners
robert

 

Kristen, thanks just read your post , I am chuffed to say have done a few things right, got some wrong.
Will be better prepared for next year. Cheers Barb.

 

very useful info - thanks Kristen!