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judyofthewoods
Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Location: Pembrokeshire
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 Posted: Thu Feb 24, 05 11:57 pm Post subject: Free buckets and growing seedlings |
 
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Just read on the selfsufficientish forum about a free source of buckets suitable as growing containers etc. Aperently florists throw away the black buckets that hold cut flowers, and are happy to have someone take them away.
Another source of foodgrade buckets (about 1 gallon size) with lid, is wherever they sell laver bread at Tesco, possibly other outlets. Most weeks I ask, I get several of them. The latest ones are the same proportion as plant pots. I use them for all sorts, and will for planting before long.
Another useful bit of 'rubbish' is film containers from highstreet film developers. Punch some holes in the bottom and use for starting seedlings. You could also cut the base off and the use the lidded end as a base (with holes, and if the lid is flat) and you can then push the plug through when planting up.
A very good way to get seedlings off to a good start is with sprinkling a generous layer of perlite on top of the seed compost. The medium is sterile so less chance of damping off, and when the root starts growing down it finds soil. The light colour of the perlite also makes for a less leggy seedling if light is low, especially good on a window scill, as it gets reflected light from below. Some use pure perlite, but its expensive, imported, uses energy in the production, and I find they don't do so well in perlite after they outgrow their food store. The perlite can be sterilised and reused. A pressure cooker is ideal, perhaps get an old aluminium one from a charity shop specially for the purpose. If you are worried about aluminium, you can put a s/s liner in, then the perlite won't have direct contact. Also suitable for soil etc. If you want to transplant bare rooted seedlings then pure perlite is better, as you just shake out the container, less damage to the roots that way. You can leave any grains on the root as it helps to retain moisture for the growing plant. |
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Tristan
Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire
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Is there nothing they won't try to make money from? I suppose it better than landfilling them so perhaps I should be thankful for small mercies, and maybe people are happier to buy things than ask for them for free.
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