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Old February 27, 2011   #1
Qweniden
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Default Holes at the bottom of styrofoam cups?

Im using the paper-towel/plastic-bag method and I have some seeds that need to be plated in soil now.

I plan to use styrofoam cups but I am wondering if I should put holes in the bottom so water can drain out like regular pots.

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Old February 27, 2011   #2
RayR
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Absolutely! Drainage is important.
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Old February 27, 2011   #3
Qweniden
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Thanks Ray

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Old February 27, 2011   #4
Stepheninky
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When I use cups I like to put one hole on the side of the cup and one underneath, this keeps the ring of the cup from creating a seal if it is on a flat surface.
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Old February 27, 2011   #5
emzybo
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I do the same thing as Stephen! It's my first year starting from seed and when my first transplants didn't drain well enough with holes on the bottom, I punched a few around the bottom sides--this enabled the next transplants to keep growing well and not drown. =)
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Old February 27, 2011   #6
tam91
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What size styrofoam cups do you all use?
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Old February 27, 2011   #7
rigdond
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I've used the 8 oz with good results.
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Old February 27, 2011   #8
newatthiskat
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I use mainly 16 oz. I don't fill them all the way up so the plant grows I can put more soil in round the stem. I poke holes most of the time in the bottom. But lower side an bottom are fine as well. Potted up 42 yesterday and now have about a million more to go. good Luck with your planting up!
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Old February 27, 2011   #9
rwsacto
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I found it easy to take a pair of long nose pliers and pinch out a slice on the bottom edge of the Styrofoam cup about four times. This provides drainage slots on the bottom and sides. In theory, side and bottom holes improve the efficacy of bottom watering, right??

Rick
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Old February 28, 2011   #10
Qweniden
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Thanks for all the feedback
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Old February 28, 2011   #11
mjc
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I take a long bamboo skewer (you know the kind...the $1/pack ones for making kabobs) and run it down through a stack of cups, all at once. Since I don't put them on any smooth and flat (I put them in flats, which have ridges on the bottom).
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Old March 18, 2011   #12
hardwaterbob
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Default can u reuse

Can u reuse them if you rinse with a weak bleach solution next yr?
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Old March 18, 2011   #13
mjc
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Yes...they can be reused, if rinsed and dried, then stored indoors. Modern styrofoam cups don't last very long when exposed to the elements.
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Old March 18, 2011   #14
Barbee
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I use an old fork on top of a towel and poke several holes in the bottom of the cup
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Old March 19, 2011   #15
b54red
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I use my cordless drill with about an 1/8th inch bit and drill through a stack of 6 cups each time and usually put 3 holes in the bottom. I used to punch out the holes but they sometimes close back up and the drilled holes drain so much better. Using the drilled holes in the bottom has ended the need for more holes in the lower sides of the cups.
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