Mini GreenHouses

Ahelms recently sent me some seeds...two weeks later...last photo.

These are great mini greenhouses and they work beautifully....

Start with a 1 litre clear plastic bottle...like...

Cut around the bottle ALMOST severing it...but stopping short by about 1-2"...this will leave you a hinge. Pull the label off. Poke holes in the bottom, fill with sprouting soil.

Here are Ada's seeds after 2 weeks:

Here are some variegated Stephanotis cuttings to strike. It is like a mist house. When I want to water, I take the cap off and "spritz" water in...works like a charm!

Wow, Carol. They're looking good. I've got to find somebody who drinks the soft drinks and try these.

How great. Me too Ada, I only drink soda from cans. What a handy thing. So do you tape the bottle closed where you cut?

I'm going to have to try this. I like the looks of this better than trying to mess with taping bags over the tops of pots.

Robinz

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/207915/

I was just gunna say Poppysue uses them all the time!!!!

When I need new ones I go to Aldi's, WM or Dollar store and just find the cheapest thing they've got. Something I wouldn't drink anyway. If it's cola, pour it on your compost pile if you have one.

Same but different: I cut the tops off just where the side starts to curve in, then invert the bottle and it will fit snugly into a pot.

This message was edited Mar 20, 2005 8:29 AM

That's a neat idea also, 8ftbed.

Great idea, 8ftbed!

No, I don't tape them shut...they seem to find the bottom edge nicely, and any gaps all excess moisture to escape.

I am just amazed at how much faster and "complete" Ada's seeds sprouted.

Selzer Water comes in those bottles at Safeway, and I love the bubbly water. DH drinks cokes...ugh.

i do something similar along that same theme
i also use the clear pepsi/coke bottle
but i cut it completely from the bottom
there are some 4" plastic pots that fit into it perfectly
i get the pots with plants in them from the nursery
i do not know where to buy just the pots

Dick

Thank you all for these posts ... this is a really great idea.
And to think of all the plastic bottles I've returned for a measly 5 cent deposit. Ugh!
Jackie

I've seen Dick's method before, thought about it but end up whack the bottles the same way. Leaving the tops on lets you open the cap for ventilation and first stages of hardening off I guess.

I came across this years ago when one of the kids had a science project to do. I liked it better then because the soda bottles had that black pot glued on the bottom. Hot water released it, then cut off the top and invert it into the black base. I wish they still made those. You always had a pot that fit!

All these ways are very clever. And Dick, no snails can get in!!

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.

8 ft
i wish they made those bottles also
i use to use them exclusively, i now wish i had saved them
the bottom of the plastic was round, no nicks or crannies

Dick

Thanks for the great visuals you all have posted.

Judy

Yeah Dick and they already had drainage holes!

I think, actually, the picture I took is of a 2 litre bottle. Ooooops.

Carol