Mouldy loo roll tubes

[Ananke]

I decided to try using loo roll tubes for seeds this year and they are now really mouldy. I just had a search on here and it was suggested that 90secs in the microwave would have prevented this mould from appearing, lesson learned.

What i'm wondering now is whether I should repot these seedlings right away, will the mould affect them?

[rustylady]

What seeds have you got in them? I use loo rolls for peas and beans, never bother microwaving them. They do get a bit mouldy, but this doesn't seem to affect the plants.

[keepitgreen]

Mine went mouldy too but the seedlings were ok. I have heard about the microwave thing before but not tried it. Will try it next time though and see if it makes any difference. At least we have learnt something!

[scarey55]

I have the same problem with parsnips in toilet roll middles but, as Rustylady said, it hasn't caused me any problems. I have actually had small mushrooms in them before

[Ananke]

Thanks for the replies

It's mainly brassicas that are in them Rustylady.

If the mould doesn't affect the plants then i'll just leave them, i've got another try full of compost filled tubes yet to have seeds sown in them, i'm not sure whether to go ahead now or just revert back to my old method, I liked the idea of not using plastic though.

[Matt94]

knowing my luck id microwave them and set the house alight.

[scarey55]

knowing my luck id microwave them and set the house alight.

It is something you need to think about Matt, I have scorched a few in my time. I would seriously recommend that, if you do them in the microwave, you don't leave them unattended.

[Sarico]

i had the same problem... but i found out that newspaper don't get mould so i made newspappers pot in loo roll shape and they are all close together and no mould...

[kathyd]

I'm trying loo rolls for the first time too, collected them for months (to OH's horror) and proudly filled them up with leek seedlings. The realised they're flushable, and dissolve really quickly when wet. What a twit. Oh well, they're smushed together in a plastic box so maybe they'll support each other until ready for planting out!

[Ananke]

Oh no

I've never heard of flushable ones.

[maytreefrannie]

I find they go a bit mouldy, I've always blamed myself because I water them from the bottom (in the tray). However, up to this, I've also found it doesn't seem to affect the plants.

[Farmer_Gyles]

i can't imagine microwaving cardboard will prevent it getting mouldy .... it's kinda normal for them to get a bit mouldy when kept wet .... nothing to worry about ...

[Jeanied]

Right, being in an experimental frame of mind I have tried microwaving some of my saved loo roll tubes. I put three bundles ( 4 flattened tubes slid into a fifth one) in the microwave for 30 seconds. They were getting warm, so I put them back for another 30 seconds. At this point one of the bundles started to singe and a wisp of smoke appeared - along with the charred paper smell - so I decided enough was enough. I have already had to get a new microwave once this year!
I have taken them and potted them up with some brassica seedlings - with some un-microwaved ones for comparison. Now it is wait and see!

[Bigmallly]

I think it's the resin reacting with the moist compost, I've grown beetroots in them for a couple of years, nothing to worry about.

[donnakebab]

Mine get mouldy too. I rub it out with a pencil rubber...you know the ones I mean...on the end of pencil. Don't think it's a risk but I don't like it.