So I had all my rooted cuttings (about 45) in 16 oz cups. And read so much about the 32 oz cups that I decided to up pot now (nothing else to do with my time). So last Saturday & Sunday I very carefully transfered all my precious trees into these beautiful clear deli cups. And I'm so happy and proud of myself because not a hair(root) on their little heads was harmed.  Then yesterday to my horror I realized that in my haste to accomplish the task I failed to drill any drain holes in the new cups(none at all).
Soooooo last night starting at about 8:30pm I began the process all over again. One at a time I remove the cuttings, drill the necessary holes(with a soldering iron), refill the cups, install the cuttings, and put on the name tag. At first I thought I would do about 10 per night until completed. Well 45 cups later and  about 2:am this morning I finished the project (again). Poor little trees, if they make it after all that, it will be the miracle of the century.  Anybody else do something really stupid like that?

that happens. i knocked down few of my cuttings in cup not being careful. most of them survived. but few go knocked down to the floor and broke all the roots off. months of work down the drain. oh.. forgetting to check on the root in the baggie and having all the roots stuck on paper towel comes close  too.

Could you not have just drilled the holes with the cup filled? I know I have added additional holes after potted.

Vince I did one out of 60 like that but I just used 1/8 drill bit
upside down to correct it

Get a soldering iron. It melts it right through. Perfect sized hole.  A little burnt smell but no plastic bits.

---strudledog & newnandawg       Tried using a highspeed drill and a brand new 1/8" drill bit and could not penetrate the shell of the deli cup.



---nypd5229      was concerned that the reaction between the very hot soldering iron coming in contact with moist(wet) perlite/potting soil mix might do more harm than good.



---believe me , doing what I did last night was a last resort after trying various methods and failing.

Future reference- went through 100 cups in 10 minutes

I'm sure your trees will be fine!  Remember a couple weeks ago when I transferred one precious cutting (rare one) into a one gallon, and left all but one tiny root in the plastic cup, and I was devastated!  The tree shows no damage and is doing it's thing in the one gallon pot.  I can no longer look at roots in that opaque pot, but its putting out new leaves and is very green and appears happy! 

I bet you never forget to put drainage holes ever again!

Suzi

You got that right Suzi....I have 50 more deli cups arriving in the mail later this week.  I will have my soldering iron in hand upon their arrival.

Link please, to those deli cups!

Suzi

When ever I convert anything made from plastic into a growing container that requires drainage holes, I never drill...I melt.  A long, pointed wood screw  - approx. 1/4"- 3/8" diameter -  held tightly in the jaws of a vice grip pliers is all you need to melt holes into whatever...plastic cups, buckets, etc.  The melted plastic stinks, but it works, and...it's quick.  I heat the screw right in the gas jets on top of the stove.

I've converted buckets, decorative bathroom waste-baskets, plastic bowls, tall drinking glasses, etc.  Just melt in the holes.  Voila! ... instant containers with drainage.

Frank

Suzi,
       The link is as follows:   http://www.webstaurantestore.com

                            The 32oz deli cups are $13.49 for 50cups Item # 999RD32
                           
                            The lids are $4.99 for 50 lids   Item # 999LRD

       The reason I get the lids is because I cut the bottom out of the cup with a sharp razor knife and turn the cup upside down with the lid in place(saw it on another thread on the Forum) This way once the cutting is planted in the cup all you have to do when it is time for up-potting to 1 gal.container is to remove the lid and the whole root ball and cutting slides right out into the bigger pot. This way you never have to disturb the roots again (which in my case is a moot point...ha  ha).
                                              Hope This Helps,
                                                              Vince

Another place to get cups/lids is Smart and Final  (but call to see what they have in stock)    http://www.smartandfinal.com/locations/StoreLocations.asp


However, since many of my coworkers go to Starbucks, I ask them to save the large plastic cups/lids that Starbucks uses for  iced lattes, etc.  
I get 5-10 per week of them....adds up quickly.

http://keenetrial.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/starbucks-icedlatte.jpg

I like Dominick's idea of using a soldering iron. 

You could also use an ice pick, which is what I do. 

One tip though.  Make sure you're up to date on your tetanus shots.  I usually stab myself once or twice doing this every year.   That's why I like Dominick's idea better.

Great idea on the inverted cups and lids!!
Don't you just love this place!!!!!!!!!!

 "Tried using a highspeed drill and a brand new 1/8" drill bit and could not penetrate the shell of the deli cup."

Vince,

I had the same problem too.  Used a 1/32" drill as a pilot hole then did the 1/8".  Ask me how I know.......after nearly drilling through my hand with the larger bit first.  I did 2 cups at a time and only needed 20 cups so it wasn't much trouble.

Ice pic takes about 1 second.    Just don't stab yourself.

When in a hurry, I have resorted to nicking the bottom edge of the cup to create four holes around the bottom. So far, haven't cut myself.

Me too Dale!  Box cutter!

Suzi

The soldering iron technique works well and prevents cracks that may spread in cooler temps

I use knife, scissors, blades, anything to carve holes on the edges of the cup, and on the sides, I just squease the cup and using a knife I cut slivers with little flaps.  I am so sorry about this re-do job, but it could be worse, should they have soaked up in there too long.  They will survive. But I do know they will be a bit traumatized, so be kind and don't shake them..leave them alone with warmth. 

Update on the "Blunder":  Day two from the "second" transplant...little trees showing signs of shock(leaves wilting, a little pale looking, but still seem to be among the living). I think most, if not all of them will make it because they all had good root systems(I know this because I looked at each one twice...Ha !)

I use the soldering iron as well.....works like a charm.