[Maryann]

Hi everyone

What have I done wrong please?

My lovely paper pots which I planted up only a week ago are now growing white fluffy mould on outside. I have Tomato seeds in them and don't want to lose them if possible.

I have 5 Gardener's Delight plants already coming though.

I used good quality potting compost with vermiculite on top, put pots in long rectangular plastic propagator with a lid on and popped this on my window sill in the kitchen. It gets lots of sun in morning (when there is any) until about lunchtime.

I have removed pots and disinfected the propagator again with mild solution of dettox spray and stood pots outside on table in sunshine to dry them off a bit. Paper was damp but I thought they should be slightly damp. I have only watered them twice - once when potting up and again during the week.

They are fairly close together in the propagator but I didn't think this would hurt as last year I started toms off in this way using the small peat pots.

I'm so disappointed that I have fouled up on the paper pots as it looks a great idea....please help.

[Maryann]

 wot no answers  

[love-my-plot]

Hi Maryann

I haven't used the paperpots buts have used loo roll tubes. The mould on these has been harmless so I wouldn't worry too much.
Improving the airflow by spacing the pots out more will
help as well going easy on the watering  

[Aunt Sally]

Don't over water them and take them out of the sunny window, it will be too hot.  Good direct light but not too much sun.

[compo]

Yep, wot Aunt Sally just said. Wouldnt hurt to lift them up once a week and just wipe the paper pot just for appearance sake, but i use them and loo rolls all the time and never get any probs. Dont worry about it.

[Maryann]

Hi again

Thanks so much for replying and reassuring me.

I have moved pots into the utility room which is a West facing room and has nice large window sill which doesn't get direct sun but is bright and warm.

The pots have recovered well after spacing them out more and all sign of mould has gone.

I really couldn't believe my eyes this morning as virtually all the pots now have little shoots popping up  

I tried to make some of those square pots (origami style) that another member had posted on here but no way could I follow the instructions - nor could the OH. Wonder if anyone else had tried successfully.

I do like the round pots but I find I need a bit of sellotape on some of them to hold them toghether. Still a great idea and I love making them....easily amused me  

Has anyone ever posted on here about the size of paper pots to make which would be most suitable for the plant? For example if I want to use a paper pot to start off parsnips or french beans or peas would you use the same size pot.

You can tell I am something of a novice can't you  :oops:

[Yorkie]

I only have the one size aerosol can so the plants don't get a choice  :roll:

[Maryann]

Aha Yorkie the secret is to improvise a bit....sometimes it works other times it dont  :cry:

For really small pots I tried using a small tippex bottle - it works but you cant really achieve a nice concave bottom    hence the use of sellotape.

I just raid my cupboards and toiletries to see what size and shape pots I can make ....yes yes I know I have far too much time on my hands, but it has been too wet to get outside recently...thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

[nothinghasdiedyet]

I have had white mould on the outside of my Paper pots also but I didn't worry at all about it as I just thought it was the rotting process getting underway.
At the end of the day who knows what they look like when they are happily rotting away underground.

I think you are worrying about nothing but I am an allotment newbie so don't take my words for it