One of the ideas of the newspaper pots is that you will be able to plant the pot so that you don't have to disturb the roots by unpotting and then putting in the ground. By the time it is time to plant out, the pot will be starting to degrade anyway, so plant them pot and all :)
gg

They work fine. When planting in the garden, break down the edge so it is not above the soil. I staple the top edge to help them hold together. Keep them in a flat or similar so they fill the space and support each other. Al

Gosh, I thought I'd heard it all about containers, but this is new to me. Would someone explain? I'm soooo curious and excited to learn something new! It sounds like a great recycle project too.

This gentleman from the dahlia forum makes his own newspaper pots without the 'pot maker' thingie. Scroll down about 1/5 of the way.

Here is a link that might be useful: newspaper pots

What an amazingly educational thread! I only grow one Dahlia: Bishop of Llandaff, but have never divided it because although I have read how many times, I never could picture it in my mind. Now I think I can do it.

The newspaper pot thing was great too. I have read about the gadget for making those pots before but never tried it. (I'm pretty sure that Gardeners Supply carries it.) This year I started all my annuals from seed, using plastic pots from past years' purchases, but the thought of washing them all in bleach water to guard against damping off is daunting, to say the least. I may just try the newspaper pot thing next year! Al, if I sow seeds in them 8 to 10 weeks before planting out, will the pots hold together that long? I have tried peat pots in the past, but they dry out so fast that I always lost alot of seedlings. I am assuming that this is not a problem with the newspaper pots?

don't know. never tried newspaper. :o)
I went to WalMart and bought a bunch of 12 oz white plastic cups, the beer garden kind. They are a nice size. I poked holes in the bottom and they are easy to write on with an indelible marker. Nice and deep for root systems too. (too small for dahlias though) I got 50 for $3-something.

I have grown Hosta divisions that I was giving away in newspaper tubes.....sort of rolled up newspaper, folded at the bottom and stapeled at the top.
I lay several sheets of newspaper on the bench folded in half so I have a piece about 12 inches by 24 or so and 2 sheets thick. I put a scoop of soil, lay in my plant division, more soil and rollup, fold over the bottom and the top and staple once. I stand these up in a plastic basket with a solid bottom and open sides....think it was meant for onions or potatoes.
I fill it up and keep it watered, the plants grow and the paper lasts for easily 2 months and then the plants can go into the ground, paper and all.
Simple and cheap.
Linda C

Or as Jack Sparrow would say: "I like it. Simple, easy to remember."

I used newspaper pots a couple years ago. I just wrapped a few thicknesses of newspaper around a soup can, and folded it in around the bottom. When I planted, I just unfolded the bottom so the roots could go through. Worked great!

Leisa