[Bearser]

Hi, I have a very limited knowledge on growing fruit and veg from seed and was wondering what the best method for making drainage holes in plastic cups is? I tried heating up the flat end of a nail pushed into a cork and made short work of 50 cups but now I'm wondering if this may produce toxic plants? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[compostqueen]

I usually push a hole through with the meat fork    Scissors do the trick too

Plastic cups are fine as they're free from the drinks machine bin at work

[aelf]

I don't think you need worry about toxins as long as you are just melting the plastic and not burning it. Plastic is shaped by heating it up first so as long as your nail isn't too hot it should be ok.

[compostqueen]

There's nothing to worry about.  If you want to be more ecologically sound and save the pennies you could make your own pots from newspaper or loo rolls 

[Bearser]

Thanks for all your help. My mind is now at rest.

[PembsPanther]

What do we think of using polystyrene cups instead of plastic? I was thinking they would provide great insulation for the roots keep things nice and warm. The bedding plants in Homebase are all in polystyrene cartons so presume the cup would be alright?

[Nikkithefoot]

I used polystyrene cups a few years back, had no problems. Could re use until they fell to bits then used the pieces in the bottom of large pots to keep the weight down and provide a bit of drainage

[devonbarmygardener]

I have a pointy gadget for making holes in plastic cups - definitely a lot cheaper than flower pots!

[davejg]

I just dill mine 5mm bit in cordless drill (used about 100 so far this year with no probs)

[Bearser]

davedg - Yes drilling, of course. It seems really obvious now you mention it.

devonbarmygardener - please elaborate on your pointy gadget!

[gremlin]

and I wash out my plastic cups in jeyes fluid for use again and again and again 

[devonbarmygardener]

davedg - Yes drilling, of course. It seems really obvious now you mention it.

devonbarmygardener - please elaborate on your pointy gadget!

I can't really elaborate!
It's an old tool used to make or fix dentures, braces any toothy type thing! My partner used to be a dental technician so we have a few pointy sharp things around the house.

[RsT]

I use plastic cups recycled from work, best thing i found for holes was the pointy tool that you always get in cheap sets of screwdrivers! Think they are meant as some sort of punch or to start a hole?

Never found a use for them before but ideal on plastic cups, lose the odd one to breakages but not many

[PembsPanther]

Well on your recommendations I just got 50 polystyrene cups from the poundshop for a whole quid Bargain of the century, and they will be easy to write on in biro to Me happy

[Kleftiwallah]

I'm a little amazed no-one has mentioned a soldering iron to make holes.  The melted plastic forms a strengthening rim around the hole.

Cheers,     Tony.