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Old March 23, 2019   #1
javafxnoob
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Default Solo cups question

I transplanted my sown from seed tomatoes in solo cups. Now, roots started hiting the cup walls. Will roots be damaged by sun, do I need to protect them from sun exposure?

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Old March 23, 2019   #2
Worth1
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No they will be fine I did this in glass jars some time ago to show folks here that is was okay and to show the roots.'
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Old March 23, 2019   #3
taboule
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Like Worth said. I wondered about it for the longest time. Still managed to grow big and health plants.

There's an advantage to clear cups in this case, very easy to see when/how much a plant is getting root bound.
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Old March 23, 2019   #4
rxkeith
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no problems for me in the past.

if sun exposure were to damage the roots, then i would imagine the sun could damage the plant due to perhaps too much sun too soon if they aren't gradually hardened off.
i use cups with a wider bottom. they provide more stability when the plants get larger, and are more prone to falling over. trade off is less plants per tray.



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Old March 26, 2019   #5
SueCT
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Interesting, I have only ever used the Red Solo cups. Might be fun to use a few clear this year and see if there is any difference in root growth or top growth. They look like nice healthy roots.
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Old March 26, 2019   #6
Worth1
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I cut holes in a bunch of glass mason jars and grew tomato sets in them.
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Old March 26, 2019   #7
taboule
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Worth1 View Post
I cut holes in a bunch of glass mason jars and grew tomato sets in them.
Diamond bits run under water?
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Old March 26, 2019   #8
Worth1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by taboule View Post
Diamond bits run under water?
Small 1/2 inch diamond hole saw set up on drill press and used water.
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Old April 12, 2019   #9
Scooty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by javafxnoob View Post
I transplanted my sown from seed tomatoes in solo cups. Now, roots started hiting the cup walls. Will roots be damaged by sun, do I need to protect them from sun exposure?
No... but you may need to protect them from sun to prevent algae growth...
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Old April 12, 2019   #10
Gardadore
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I have found that the seedlings actually grow better in the clear cups over the red cups. I keep them under lights until ready for hardening off and keep them in a table tent during the hardening off to avoid direct sunlight. The root systems always seem stronger in the clear cups and I enjoy watching them grow. The other advantage is that you can see how moist they are all the way down.
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