Starting cuttings in paper cups?

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ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1393346329	Reply with quote #1

Anyone ever try to start cuttings in paper cups with the usual potting mix? I was thinking of rolling my own out of old magazines or newspapers. I could make them tall and narrow so I could fit quite a few in a tupperware bin. My original idea was to use root riot cubes but I've been discouraged by the reports of root rot when up-potting. I usually start my spring /summer cuttings in 50/50 pro mix HP and pine bark fines so I figure this should work for dormant cuttings as well. They would also be easy to up pot. I know a few people use the peat pots, but they seem awfully shallow to me. I figure a 2.5" x 6" paper pot could let a cutting grow for 8-10 weeks before it would need to be up potted. For my best cuttings I will use the 'ol sphagnum moss. But for the others I thought I'd try this. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1393346728	Reply with quote #2

I am not sure what is the deal, but my first and only batch attempting with newspaper has been awful, everyday fighting mold, cutting pieces of the cuttings washing, restarting. in the past, I push newspaper inside the plastic cups, they do not breath and the roots rotted. Maybe you have a better set up with lights and ventilation, but for me it was a 'bad idea', waste of time and cuttings. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1393347622	Reply with quote #3

Grasa, newspapers inside of plastic cups? I would think there would not be enough drainage. Even if you had drain holes, they would get clogged up by the newspaper. I'm thinking of shoulder to shoulder paper cups in a large Tupperware bin. Pre moistened potting soil with a few sprays of water for humidity. I can't see overwatering being my problem, but I wouldn't want to start a mold garden. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1393348484	Reply with quote #4

Aaron, do you have time to do a small test run before you would be rooting your main bunch of cuttings? Would several plys of damp newspaper hold together well enough for 4-6 weeks? __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1393348937	Reply with quote #5

Sounds like a good idea.. my only worry is that they deteriorate too soon in the high moisture. i guess if you had enough layers, like Ed said. Maybe you could harden them a little by soaking in a glue/water mixture and letting them dry. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1393350985	Reply with quote #6

Something like this: http://learningandyearning.com/2011/03/06/seed-starting-pots-from-newspaper/ I was actually leaning towards magazine paper. It's thicker. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1393354439	Reply with quote #7

Seems like a neat idea. I'm interested in seeing the results. I would do one with the damp soil in it and put in a humidity bin for a week (no cutting) and see how it holds up. Edit: I just made one out of a piece of photo copy paper just to see how it would look. It's a little tall at 8.5". Maybe fold down the side a couple of inches before rolling it. Seems like a good idea. Just wonder if it will introduce mold. Can't really wash the paper first. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1393355415	Reply with quote #8

I am in GardenWeb forums a lot because we have so many other plants, veggies, flowers and fruit trees, I get a lot of interesting ideas there. One person said they use the cardboard from toilet paper rolls, band them together with a rubber band, fill them with potting soil and keep them in a container for starting seeds. Larger tubes might work fine for rooted cuttings. Just an idea. Never tried it personally! Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

GreenFin

Registered:1331268315
Posts: 684

Posted 1393357074	Reply with quote #9

These are fun ideas. I wonder if I could convert my junk mail into something useful? Snip off one end, dump junk into trash, snip off the corners of the remaining end, fill envelope with pre-moistened mix, and insert cutting. There would even be a little window of clear plastic on the side to watch for roots. __________________ James, zone 6a Kansas (zone 10 greenhouses); wish list is in my profile http://www.FigCuttings.com

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1393357580	Reply with quote #10

Hi, I saw that system for tomatoes as those pots won't last long. For a fig tree cutting, I would be afraid to mess it up if the pot crumbles before I need to up pot . __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

bigbadbill

Registered:1357527109
Posts: 376

Posted 1393358341	Reply with quote #11

Suzi, I like that idea of paper towel/wrapping paper/toilet paper roll bundles. I might have to try that one. Especially if you can fill the bin with them, it seems like it would hold form longer. Thanks. __________________ SE Pa, zone 6b https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries

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