Grow Your Own Magazine

Dear all, maybe I'm doing something wrong, but can anyone tell me, how do you stop mould forming on your paper or loo roll pots when sowing seeds in them? And would that affect the seeds? Thanks!

It's not easy to stop mould at this time of year. I just rub it off as it appears, and try to keep things well ventilated. It will drastically reduce germination rates if it gets to the seeds, but if the plants get away before the mould gets a hold it shouldn't do any harm.

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Resistance is fertile

It's a particular problem if you use paper pots, I'm afraid.

Just keep your fingers' crossed.

According to GQT on Radio4, it's not a good idea to use loo roll centres as they are treated with chemicals that could damage your plants!

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Why keep a dog when you can bark yourself !

I think you may be keeping them too wet.I sow peas,beans,courgettes etc. in loo roll inners and have found that if kept too wet or in a humid atmosphere the compost goes mouldy.

Thank you all for your replies. As for them being wet, I actually meant to ask too, what's the best way to water them?

Not too much, not too often!

I had the compost in a few of mine last year go stale at the bottom, where the moisture sat. If you can, put something in the bottom to allow them to breath. I've heard others use tea bags or something similar.

I also had a problem with them trapping roots between the layers of the tube. Rather than grow through, the roots tracked through the layers and poked out the bottom. (talking about runner beans, broadies and sweetcorn)

I didn't plant them out with the tubes on because it seemed like they'd take ages to rot down, so carefully unrolled each one before planting it out.

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