Newspaper pots

[jean]

this link gives instructions for newspaper pots, had fun with the first couple but soon got the hang of it. They are bigger than the ones I usually use but very useful - have fun

www.geocities.com/newspaperpots/

[Deleted]

Well, I've been sitting in front of the screen with newspaper - of which we have tons - and can't make it work ! Has anyone else managed it?

[Deleted]

The link won't work for me.

[Spruance]

The site in question appears to have temporarily exceeded its bandwidth allocation. Depending on the set up, it may be ok later on or tomorrow, or perhaps after a longer period.

In the meantime, why not have a look at Ziggy's paper pots thread from 6th January...

gardenworld.proboards103.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1168104232&page=1#1168104232

[jean]

I had trouble with the site at first. I will post some pics later with an explanation.

[jean]

Newspaper pots mark 1. These are the pots I use most of and are really easy to make and use.

Take 2 sheets of newspaper and make a paper roll



Put a small piece of sticky/masking tape along the tube which will hold the top of the tube together (tabloid makes 4 good size pots)

Make a few snips around the bottom - enough to cover the diameter of the bottom)



Tuck the snipped bits in.



Support the bottom of the tube when filling and you will find it will hold very well. I tend to half fill, water and then fill to seed depth before sowing.



The tube I have shown you is using a can of deoderant as a guide, which is roughly the same width as a loo roll. You can use any size tin and make any length of tubes - I get through tubes.



Right then, Origami lessons for the next one which I found on this site, this is my version of it;

www.geocities.com/newspaperpots/

Take half a sheet of tabloid size newpaper and fold in half



and again



and again



At this stage you should have 8 page thickness and the fold (longest edge) should be on your left hand side.

Slightly unfold the top pages (2 sheet thickness) and make a sort of cone shape before folding down flat





fold the right hand side of this cone over to the left and flatten



Do the same to the right hand side and you should end up like this



Take the top left and right pieces and fold in on the centre



Then fold the same pieces over again



Turn over and do the same to the bottom pieces and you should end up looking like this



fold the tabs down (I've secured them with a bit of sticky tape so they would stay down, but its not necessary)



open out and Voila there is the pot



Clear as mud ?




Don't worry I'm back to work next week where my mind will be fully occupied - I promise

[Chuckles]

jlotie said:

Don't worry I'm back to work next week where my mind will be fully occupied - I promise

You must have the patience of a saint JL, they are good though I did get FIL to save me a couple of newspapers to have a go with but never got round to it. I liked the look of those cone ones OM did.

[jean]

I get through so many pots and never have the right size when I want them. I have to start as much as I can off at home for transplanting on the lottie due to the lack of water on site. The origami pots are ok but making tubes is the easiest solution - watched far too much Blue Peter in my younger days ;D

Has anyone tried the origami pots ? its ok once you get the hang of it - honest ;D

[lottielady]

Susie, Plocket and I tried making them last year - mine looked like bunnies....

LLx

[fozzie]

I managed the origami after a few curses and spotting the subtle 90 degree twist between steps 7 and 8.

I feel quite pleased and smug now!

Fx

[Deleted]

Interesting the different ways.

I fold my newspaper in half lengthwise and roll around a glass leaving about 2 inches at the end and then fold over! Job done.

I must try the other ways too.

[Jonah]

I've been experimenting with card and newspaper, based on the Masu box template. I think it's a different folding technique, but I'm not sure.

there are instructions here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masu_%28Japanese%29

[jean]

Lol Jonah, took a while, but I got there in the end - they remind me of the little paper baskets I used to make with the children for Easter filled with straw and easter eggs and a paper handle

[Jonah]

Oooh, good idea J-Lo. Do you think, if I tell the children that's what they're for, I might get a production line going?

It's that pulling it all together at the end bit that gets me. ;D

[Rosefriend]

After trying the different ways I have decided to use Ziggywigs' way - find it easier somehow. I will make some for the parsnips and the sweetpeas, beans and and.......

RF

[Dutchy]

Sounds GOOD.
Did you know there is a wood potmaker for sale?
Like rolling the newspaper around the can but then banging it down into a base so the fold at the bottom gets forced in.
I think I will have a goo at that origami
If only to see how blonde I am ;D

[Dutchy]

;D Just went through the moves and you do get a nice square pot with the origami trick.
These can sit closer than the round ones so I might go for these.

[Rosefriend]

I am still messing with the round roll up ones - a few square ones wouldn't go a miss though. I will try again - first time around I got nowhere.

RF

[Dutchy]

Its to do with the folding where you have to make that first triangle shape.
It took me some time to realize I had to move it around until I found the way to do that.
Sory can't say it any simpler.
Once you have got that it is all simple going again.
I used a normal newspaper page and got a bigish little pot but today the tabloid free newspapers arived so I'll have a go with those ;D

[carolann]

I must be the thickest person on here I just cant seem to get my folds right. I will keep trying but Im driving my OH mad with paper everywhere.
I think I shall use ZW's method it seems easier.

[Dutchy]

Nah not thick it is not as easy as it seems.
Once you have folded three times you have to look for the bit where you lift a bit of paper and see a fold on the top (The photo is upside down.) that pulls the sheet underneeth with it.
You then sort of spread that fold out so you form the triangle.

Oh bggr that does not make much sense either does it?

Jlottie please help us !

[Rosefriend]

carolann52 said:

I must be the thickest person on here I just cant seem to get my folds right. I will keep trying but Im driving my OH mad with paper everywhere.
I think I shall use ZW's method it seems easier.

Well I am pleased that it isn't just me that can't do them.

RF

[Deleted]

have we done the inside of kitchen & toilet rolls yet? love the origami... !!!!

[jean]

I'm sorry you have all been having trouble with the origami pots, they are a bit fiddly until you get the hang of them but they are brilliant for all sorts of seedlings.

I'll try and explain as I make one

Tabloid paper approx 40 cms x 30 cm s

longest edge uppermost

fold right hand side over in half

Turn so the fold is at the bottom

fold in half again right to left

Turn so short fold is on the right

Fold in half again right to left

Unfold the last piece and flatten it out like this







And then do the same to the other side

and carry on as above

I hope this has helped and not confused you more

[Rosefriend]

Right jlo - I will have another go - they do look sturdier that the ones I have been making.

RF

[Pip]

I have made some "ziggy" ones and I am in the process of trying for the 3rd time to make the "jlo" ones.

It really is a case of "if you don't succeed etc"

Pip

[Rosefriend]

I am still not getting the "jlo" design right so I am back again to the "ziggy" design.

One thing that is bothering me a little - depending on the newspaper I use - the bottom really gets thick when it is tucked in ......does it really rot - I mean can the roots get through it?

RF

[Dutchy]

I heard somewhere that people put newspare snips in the bottom of planting holes to get more moisture retaining.
From that I would think it does not completely rot.
Either unfold when planting or..
Maybe if you don't make the pots out of too many layers the problem is solved?