How to grow seedlings without soil using toilet paper?

Growing seedlings is a troublesome process; every gardener is trying to find some kind of innovation that makes it noticeably easier. A new way to reduce costs, save space and time, as well as to save as much as possible from possible development difficulties.

What a new way?

A recent method of sprouting seedlings in toilet paper without soil has already found many admirers. What is he good at? If we recall botany and biology, then not all seeds need nutrients in the soil for germination. In the seed itself under the shell there is already an adequate supply of the elements it needs. Therefore, toilet paper, despite the lack of nutrition, is quite suitable as a substrate.

Its plus is that due to its softness, it allows the roots to sprout through it, without tangling and breaking, which is important for plants.

The method is good for the northern regions in late and cold spring. With it, a wide range of crops are germinated:

• Salad greens: cress, parsley, basil.
• Nightshade: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants.
• Pumpkin zucchini, squash, pumpkin, cucumbers.
• Other vegetables: carrots, cabbage, leek, onions.
• Flowers: petunia, marigolds, lilies of the valley, irises.

The method for heat-loving and slow-growing plants is not relevant: they still need to be grown in the ground, moreover, such crops need good light, germination in a roll, for example, does not suit them.

Others that are resistant to cool temperatures can be planted from a roll into open ground, for example, leeks or onions.

Growing methods

Let's take a closer look at two methods used in practice: growing seedlings without land on toilet paper using plastic bottles.

Cut along

This method is convenient because watering seedlings has much less. For sowing, a plastic bottle is cut along its length.On the toilet paper folded in several layers, having previously been wetted with a spray, they are sown. The seeds are gently pressed into the paper layer, creating the fossa effect. A plastic bag is worn with a plastic bag, imitating a greenhouse.

The advantage of a greenhouse is that condensate from evaporation returns to the paper “sediments”, therefore, watering the tap is rare. Another plus is that the seedlings do not stretch into growth, after the appearance of a pair of leaves, they develop the root system.

Cross section

This method differs from the previous one in that the bottle is cut not along, but across. Here the paper layer alternate with a film of polyethylene. Seeds, sown on a moistened paper layer, cover with another same layer, then a film, gently rolled into a roll and put it in a bottle. The subtlety of the seed layout is that the seeds are at the top, closer to the light. In a cut bottle pour water about 2 cm and put in heat. Water is sometimes poured so that the seedlings do not experience a lack of moisture.

When two leaves appear, the roll unfolds and dives the seedlings into separate containers. The advantage is that it can be transplanted without trying to clear paper, it is soft and will not prevent the roots from developing, as it should, gradually dissolving in the soil.

This method is not much different from growing seedlings in Moscow in a roll, the difference is that the rolled planting material is placed in a disposable cup and placed in a plastic bag, creating the effect of a greenhouse.

How to grow seedlings in toilet paper

Special efforts and knowledge of how to plant seedlings in toilet paper will not be needed. What does not hurt - is to verify the feasibility of the method for the selected plants.

What is needed

Required items and materials:

• polyethylene film;
• paper roll;
• plastic bottle or cup;
• planting material;
• scissors;
• water and spray.

The film is cut into strips of arbitrary length, counting on the capacity of the cup, the width equal to the paper tape.

Action list

The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. First layer - tape from the film.
2. On the film put a paper base and spray it with water.
3. On the paper layer, the seeds are placed a centimeter below the edge, 3 cm apart.
4. Cover with a second paper layer, moistened.
5. Last layer - film.
6. Then the loose roll is rolled up.
7. A roll of seeds is placed upside into a glass or a plastic bottle cut into a glass, at the bottom of which a little water is poured.

The moisture required for the seedlings will be absorbed by the paper base, and the film will provide the greenhouse effect.

Another similar method is planting seeds in a snail with toilet paper. Seeds are also sown on a ribbon of paper and rolled up into a snail, using a substrate for laminate for insulation.

The method attracts 100% germination, but because of the crowding, most seedlings are strongly drawn, and the roots do not develop as they should.

Proper care

The seedling spiked, the first leaf appeared - it's time to feed it. To do this, prepare an aqueous solution of the mineral complex, the dosage is taken two times less than what is said in the instructions. Top dressing is added with water in a cup.In the phase of 2-3 leaves top dressing repeat. Fertilize the same solution. Watch the water level at the bottom of the tank, it should be added regularly.

A hardened seedling with several leaves should be transplanted into a container with soil or into open ground, depending on the crop. The roll is carefully unwound, the strongest sprouts with developed roots are selected.

The picking passes by all the rules.: the pots have holes, the ground is decontaminated, the seedlings after transplanting are watered and placed in a warm, bright place. Further care as usual seedlings. Those seedlings who are not ready for picking can be left in the cup for further rearing.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

Landless germination of seeds in toilet paper has both advantages and disadvantages. Consider the benefits:

• Saving time and space (pick up the ground, disinfect, clean up space for pots or drawers).
• Cleanliness and hygiene (it is impossible to get infected with fungi or viruses in this case).
• A high percentage of germination.
• Emphasis on root development, not foliage.
• In consequence, earlier fruiting on open ground than during germination in the ground.

The disadvantages of landless germination:

• Not all cultures fit.
• In the phase of the appearance of the leaves need feeding, in the paper there are no nutrients.
• With inaccuracies, you can ruin the seedlings: if the seedlings are over-exposed, the roots will not develop; due to too tightly folded roll seedlings to suffocate.

Growing vegetables, fruits, berries and other crops with their own hands, despite the difficulties, is always a pleasure, especially since work is rewarded.

At the same time, what kind of germination should be chosen, conservative in the soil or innovative without it, each gardener will decide for himself.