I know a lot of you guys use solo cups but has anyone ever used the 32oz plastic cups from a gas station or Micky D's? I figure you could get a bigger root ball that way but there has to be a downfall somewhere or people would be using them. I ask this because I have a friend at the gas station that said i could get a couple sleaves for store cost.
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solo cups
- Thread starter smileyguy697
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I don't see why not. With cheap cups, you can always just cut away the cup when you are ready to transplant to keep from damaging the roots. They might be a little top heavy though.
I was more worried about light getting through the plastic.
I've grown with all kinds of colored solo cups, red, white, yellow, blue and they all have the same results. I don't think it matters unless they are clear.
What's wrong with the clear cups? I use the clear iced coffee cups from McD's and have had no problems with light getting to the roots. The cups are thicker than Solo cups and have been used again and again. I used the Dremel tool to drill 5 or 6 holes in a couple of the cups at the same time.
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Yeah, the only limitation is your ability to get holes drilled into the material - if you can get enough drain holes of a good size into it without getting frustrated, it should work. Source doesn't matter, but the material does - as long as it's for use with food, it's good enough for your plants.
Thanks, geeme. I love the cups because they are more flexible/thicker than the newer Solo cups. I have a harder time drilling drainage holes in the Solo cups as they tend to crack while drilling.
I use 3 different sizes, usually the medium for chinense peppers, large for tomatoes, and the 32 oz. when I had to transplant 2x with the annuum jalapenos.
I use 3 different sizes, usually the medium for chinense peppers, large for tomatoes, and the 32 oz. when I had to transplant 2x with the annuum jalapenos.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with using clear cups for starts or seedlings. I just wouldn't want to leave them in there to grow for to long. I have always heard light and roots don't mix. The plastic might just break up the light.catherinew said:
My family drinks a boatload of fountain sodas. I save 32 & 44oz foam cups for planting. Larger cups = no re-potting. They are a space hog, however.
I use 4" pots in a flat like these.
They are cheap and last several seasons.
They are cheap and last several seasons.
I used a Coke bottle as a pot because I couldn't find a pot for my plants. It's clear plastic and I've heard its better for the roots if they are in a dark container. As for my experience in growing in a clear container I've noticed no change in growth or health.
Lmao... I was just asking because i wanted to make sure light wouldnt bother the roots. Drainage wasnt the issue.Roguejim said:Yeah, this should be easy stuff. A steel drill through a plastic cup(s) shouldn't cause any issues whatsoever for a homosapien, unless, you just might be a woman, or a reasonable facsimile thereof!
Try a heated long Philips's Screwdriver. I stack 10 high, then heat the driver tip on the stove. Goes through all 10 cups like butter. I put a total of 5 holes in the bottom, (1 in the middle and 4 on the sides). Takes me me less than 10 minutes. Just make sure you have great ventilation and hold your breath when melting the plastic, those fumes are no good for you.coheed196 said:
Yea I usually put a good 5-8 holes in the bottom. With the drill you do have to be careful with speed otherwise you'll end up just smashing the cups lol. If you go slowly it's not a problem though.
Melting plastic fumes mmmmm. Kidding, it smells terrible. I should know, I melted thousands of green plastic army men in my childhood years lol.
Melting plastic fumes mmmmm. Kidding, it smells terrible. I should know, I melted thousands of green plastic army men in my childhood years lol.