[lucywil]

right i saw this lady on tv, i think it was on heavens kitchen, and she started her carrots off in toilet roll tubes and then transplanted the whole thing into the ground. so i thought i would try it with parsnips seeing as i only managed to get 6 to germinate on the plot. i pre chitted them on kitchen roll and they have all come up and are growing fine but the outside of the tubes and some of the compost is covered in a brown dust, i am assuming it is some sort of mould.

has any one else experienced this and should i scrap them or will they be ok?

[DD.]

Hi lucywil

This previous thread may explain things.....HERE

[Sven The Swede]

Hi Lucywil,
                I did this with my sweetcorn 3 weeks ago after losing a load in the frost the other week. Made 5" deep holes with a dibber put toilet rools in filled with compost, put in sweetcorn seeds and covered with 1/2 " of compost watrered in put two minigreen house I got from B&Q to keep the heat in and warm up the soil in about 5 days they germated and now they are about 5" tall and the toilet rolls will just break down in the soil. Job done
 

[flowerlady]

When you plant anything that was started in loo rolls be sure to BURY the loo roll when you plant out onto the plot ... if you dont it will act as a wick and take water away from your little plants !!

[Bernard]

I am collecting loo rolls now for next year, for carrots and/or parsnips.
Can any one advise what is the earliest either of these can sensibly be sown in the rolls in an unheated greenhouse? I know next year is a long way off but I am preparing notes!!

[Anton]

Is it not too late to be trying with parsnips?

Anton

[lucywil]

Is it not too late to be trying with parsnips?

Anton

i'm not sure but i figured there was nothing to loose as i wouldn't be able to use the seed next year, at best i'll get some parsnips at worst i'll get a bunch of leaves for the compost heap!