Would a foil cup work?

[ZippyDoozy]

This is probably a really stupid question, but I figured I'd ask it anyways since I got a few seeds I'm germinating right now and I'm looking at a few different options for the seedlings.

So the idea of forming a small cup out of some foil would make transplanting a lot easier than having a regular cup or even a plastic cup or the likes. If made right it would be sturdy enough and wouldn't fall apart and could easily be stood up. You could still have some holes in the bottom for adequate water drainage. And one of the biggest reasons I was thinking of doing this, is because when you're ready to transplant you could just undo the foil around it, which seems like it'd be a lot easier to do.

I couldn't think of anything off the top of my head that would have any negative effects, hence why I'm asking you guys.

It would still keep the light out and continue to prevent burning of the roots and allow for circulation. So would there be a problem with doing this at all?

 

[smillz]

I see no reason why it wouldn't work. Though it's not advisable to keep them in them for their entire life cycle. The only possible problem may be light diffusion which may burn the plant. Tin foil tends to diffuse photons in patterns that can cause hotspots which can damage the plant.

In addition to this, the root system of the plants will be quite strong, and they will easily be able to penetrate through the foil. This may cause major problems down the road.

 

[thatsmessedup]

just use party cups. Transplanting is super easy to do. And if you don't think so just cut slits down the party cup when you are ready to transplant and it will be fool proof.

 

[Vindicated]

A while back I saw a container mold on Gardener's website. It was made to be used with newspaper, but I'm sure foil would work so long as you remove it right before transplanting. What I liked about the newspaper was that you wouldn't have to remove it at transplant. It would naturally decompose and add organic matter to the garden.

Following the same principle as the container mold, when I take cuttings (clones) I like to use empty paper towel rolls. I simply cut in half, then seal the bottom with foil, and fill it with moist seed starting mix. I used to be a big fan of nursery flats, but the paper towel rolls are deeper which lets my plants grow longer roots. However, I do have to the remove the foil, but it's easy and uses a very small amount of foil, so it's not to bad. I can still bury the paper towel roll.

 

[Vindicated]

Just about any container will work. Old milk bottles, soda bottles, party cups, paper sandwich bags, old pudding cups, etc. I'm sure even a cup made of duct tape would work.

 

[Amaximus]

Just about any container will work. Old milk bottles, soda bottles, party cups, paper sandwich bags, old pudding cups, etc. I'm sure even a cup made of duct tape would work.

^^^^ And every one of those alternatives can be easily cut when you want to transplant to achieve the same effect. But to answer your question. I dont see any reason why you couldn't make one out of tin foil and do exactly what you described. I just couldn't be bothered.

 

[racerboy71]

just an fyi.. i've found that if you use say a plastic solo type cup, when you go to transplant it, simply let the soil dry out a bit, turn the cup over and simply tap a few times on the bottom of the cup..
in doing so the result is usually the whole clump of soil and the root mass plus plant coming out in one solid mass.. works pretty great ime..