How to Grow Seedlings Using Toilet Paper and Plastic

A recently discovered interesting method involves sprouting seedlings in a plastic bottle on toilet paper. This is a truly amazing way to germinate seeds quickly and with minimal effort, and without any soil work.

But it's important to understand that this method is only suitable for germination. It won't produce strong seedlings that can be immediately transplanted into open ground. However, once the first shoots appear, you can avoid the need for transplanting.

All that's required to grow these seedlings is a minimum of space on a windowsill and a few things that are always on hand. In particular, To grow seedlings this way, you will need:

• Polyethylene film (bags can be used);
• The cheapest toilet paper;
• Sprayer with water;
• Cut plastic bottle;

How to carry out the work

If you look at the photo of seedlings in a plastic bottle on toilet paper, the entire process, or rather its simplicity, becomes immediately clear. But we'll provide a full description of the process to ensure the seeds germinate. You'll need to cut thin sheets from the bags. You don't even need a ruler; just cut them to the width of the toilet paper (about 10 cm).

Next, take a strip of plastic and unfold it lengthwise, rolling out paper on top. Spray the entire area with water and lay out the seeds, which have been prepared for growing. Leave a small gap from the edge of the plastic and paper structure to allow the sprouts to develop without problems. As for the distance between the seeds themselves, leave about three centimeters between each one.

Once the seeds are laid out, place the paper on top again, slightly moistening it. Place the film on top of the paper again. We're almost done; all that's left is to carefully roll the roll. It should be thick enough to fit into the cut bottle. Incidentally, to avoid confusion, label the bottles beforehand and arrange the rolls of seeds correctly.

Important! The inserted roll should fit as snugly as possible into the bottle, but not be cramped. It's also important to carefully check that the seeds are positioned near the top, not the bottom, of the entire simple structure.

When the seeds germinate

The roll with the seeds, paper, and plastic is inserted into the bottle. Even though we've additionally moistened the paper, you should still add a little water to the bottle. All that's left to do is place the seedlings on a windowsill, preferably in a bright, warm spot, and wait for germination. Add water as the old water evaporates. The first sprouts will appear after just a week of carefully tending your seedlings in the toilet paper.

Interesting! Adding potassium humate concentrate to the water in a mineral-rich amount can speed up the leaf formation process. Once the leaves appear, the seedlings can be planted in individual containers and grown until they are ready to be planted outdoors.

How to transplant seedlings

Now you know that growing seedlings in plastic bottles on toilet paper is easy. However, you'll need to transplant them into individual containers. To do this, carefully unroll the roll on a flat surface. Remove the top strips, revealing the sprouts and their roots: only 5 cm long, but already sufficient for active growth.

There's no need to separate the roots from the paper. Simply plant the plant directly into the soil, as the paper will simply dissolve in the soil after a few days. As you can see, this method of seed germination doesn't require much time or effort, space, or additional financial investment.

Besides germinating seeds this way, you can also test the germination rate of a particular variety. There are general germination rates, but the seeds of one hybrid won't always be as viable as those of another. Now, simply use plastic and toilet paper to quickly and easily test your seeds for germination.

Important! With this type of cultivation, the plant won't produce more than the first two leaves, but the root system will actively develop. This is exactly what's needed in the initial stages.

What seeds can be grown using the described method:

• Petunias;
• Strawberries;
• Cabbage;
• Tomatoes;
• Zucchini;
• Cucumbers and any other crops;

It is important to transplant seedlings into the soil in a timely manner so that the plant begins to receive additional nutrients for active root and foliage development.