Smart recycle! I’ve read often that wire tie will cut the stems (maybe eventually?) but too have never seen that happen in our shorter growing season. Good luck!

Wow Lou, I've been looking for someone who has had success in the east trying this older method. Cornell wrote a report about a study back in 1910 about tests they did, and I followed the method with some luck – most wintered over just fine outside, and they bloomed well, but only a couple of weeks earlier than those which I had started in the greenhouse in February so the extra work didnt seem to make it worth the effort. However, if I didnt have a greenhouse, this may be the way I woud grow them.

I rarely untie them and drop them since I grow mine outdoors and it gets too warm here for them to continue after mid-July, but when I did do it I cut the green vinyl tape that I use to tie them with to the canes, and drop them all before I retie them. It takes a little organzing to lay them all out away from the canes, but it can extend the season. I'll look for photos and maybe do another post. THanks!

Hi Bobbi. The root trainers I use don't have holes in the bottom, they drain through the sides. I do have some deep cell trays however that are 6 inches deep and while the holes are about 3/4 inch, the soil, if one uses Pro Mix doesnt feed through.