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Red Solo Cups for tomato up-potting?
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:33 pm
by Enginerd
OK so the cup doesn't have to be red, but the song makes it more fun.
Are regular 16oz plastic cups big enough for up-potting tomatoes? I always drill a hole in the bottom (or burn one with a lighter but BE CAREFUL) to allow for drainage, AND it doesn't make me feel so bad when I give tomato plants away and don't get the "pots" back.
And is clear plastic be bad? Is the algae that grows inside harmful? It's fun monitoring root growth, but should I switch from clear to colored?
Perhaps red?
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:58 pm
by Tonio
Algae? that is a sign of being too wet, is there algae growing in the root zone? Try a chamomile tea to conbat it.
I have the translucent blue ones, and it doesn't seem to effect the plants. Actually kind of interesting seeing how fast they grow when up potted.
T
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:55 pm
by gixxerific
The red ones are PARTY ONLY cups. Never use a red with a plant.
Just kidding. I have no idea if the color makes a differance but I would say that it does not.
I also know a guy who sells tomatoes to resteraunts. He swears by Solo cups WITHOUT holes. I am not so down with the no drainage idea. But he does alright with a thousand variety's and about 7000 plants. So..................
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:07 pm
by Tonio
Solo cups without drainage holes?? Yikes
I have a hard enough time with holes
pfft, but if he's doing 7000 plants, he must have some great experience
Can't argue w/ that.
T
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:12 pm
by applestar
I can't believe he doesn't put holes in them
I think a lot of people make the mistake of not making enough holes or holes that are too small. I put at least six 3/8"-1/4" holes in smaller cups, eight in larger ones like 16 oz. I also punch holes up the sides with deeper cups.
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:16 pm
by barnhardt9999
I start mine in solo cups about half full of dirt. When I want to "up pot" them I just shut off the light for a day, let them stretch for the sun a little and then dump more dirt in. I start 3 seeds to a cup and thin out to 1 plant per cup. I take them strait from the original cup to the garden. Might not be the ideal way, but its quicker and cleaner than re-potting.
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 6:18 pm
by Enginerd
Chamomile! Thanks Tonio! I might give it a try if I see too much green goo showing up around the roots.
I also really like your suggestion Barnhardt for "up-potting" without a new pot. Brilliant and a real timesaver!
Thanks, everyone!
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:13 am
by rainbowgardener
I am in the process right now of up-potting my tomato seedlings into the red plastic cups (with a bunch of drainage holes). They are outgrowing the 3" pots and my light set up.
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:55 pm
by Garf
gixxerific wrote:The red ones are PARTY ONLY cups. Never use a red with a plant.
Just kidding. I have no idea if the color makes a differance but I would say that it does not.
I also know a guy who sells tomatoes to resteraunts. He swears by Solo cups WITHOUT holes. I am not so down with the no drainage idea. But he does alright with a thousand variety's and about 7000 plants. So..................
If you put a PRECISE amount of water in each cup, it will work.
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:27 pm
by rainbowgardener
[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/seedlings2.jpg[/img]
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:22 pm
by Tonio
Nice RG !!, mine were about that size, put in the bed last weekend.
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:28 pm
by cshell1958
Nice... how old is this one?
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:18 am
by rainbowgardener
Planted the tomato seeds 2/17, took the picture 4/5, so 6 weeks I guess.
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 5:21 pm
by Tonio
Sounds like time to harden off eh?
T
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:18 am
by rainbowgardener
Oh yeah. They been hardening off and I think that particular plant is in the ground already. It had already been outside hardening when I brought it back in to take its picture.
HOWEVER, it got down to 32 last night and is predicted for 31 tonight. I always hate this time of year! So the tomatoes in the ground are covered and 6 trays of tomatoes peppers and basil came back in AGAIN - I swore last time they came in would be the last, but not so....
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:37 am
by Tonio
Yeah, I hated having to schlep in/out. Such a PITA.
We don't get low here, but I was sweating it for my chiles earlier, when it got under 50.
We are getting some rain now - woo hoo!!
Re: quote
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 11:18 am
by Geibel49
rainbowgardener wrote:I am in the process right now of up-potting my tomato seedlings into the red plastic cups (with a bunch of drainage holes). They are outgrowing the 3" pots and my light set up.
Re:
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 11:21 am
by Geibel49
rainbowgardener wrote:I am in the process right now of up-potting my tomato seedlings into the red plastic cups (with a bunch of drainage holes). They are outgrowing the 3" pots and my light set up.
Rainbow Gardener, I loved your quote, I hope you don't mind that I borrowed it
Re: Red Solo Cups for tomato up-potting?
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 4:55 pm
by rainbowgardener
all good! Glad you liked it!