Can you use shredded paper as media to grow plants?

Mary

October 19, 20060 found this helpful

I do not think so as wet newspapers are used to block weeds from growing in the yard. I think the roots would not be able to breathe or get nourishments.

The short answer is - no. Unfortunately, when wet, it quickly turns into a paste-like consistency which prevents the roots from breathing and exchanging dissolved minerals. Besides, it does not contain the required minerals and cannot support the growth of bacteria normally present in the soil and essential for the plant. One might think mixing it in with the soil could help, which is possible (to an extent), but more serious problems arise: it promotes the growth of fungi. The fungi disrupt plant life not only directly but also by killing the soil bacteria (through action of antibiotics they produce).

I've used newspaper two different ways for growing plants.

First experiment was: using about 30+% shredded crunched up newspaper (soy ink is used by our local paper) mixed with 70% perlite. This was put into small containers on the patio for tomato seedlings, and also as a seed starting medium for tomato seeds. Worked stunningly well. I won't bother with soil ever again now that I've found this is easier. I mixed some fish fertilizer pellets right into the mix when potting up - and followed through faithfully watering with a mix of fish fertilizer and molasses all summer. The tomato plants given this treatment were simply stunning - beautiful enough they could have been pictured in a seed catalog. Their output of fruit was heavy. Their counterparts in the garden, in regular soil, fed in the same manner, were less attractive but reasonably productive.

My second experiment wasn't completed, but late in the season I had several tomato seedlings which hadn't been potted on. So I stuck them into containers with ONLY wadded up strips of newspaper. I ripped the paper into strips about 1" - 1-1/2" wide and wadded each strip into a ball. I figured it would have a harder time breaking down into glue around the roots this way - and I was right. So basically the plants were potted into lots of tiny wadded up pieces of paper. I fed them same as the above plants - and they actually grew - and put on flowers. Sadly, the season ended and frost grabbed them before I could find out what would have happened. True, they were a bit thin, not nearly as gorgeous as the first experiment, but they started at a disadvantage having been in their tiny seedling cups wayyyyy too long anyway. One note: I did water carefully to make sure the water would cover all the paper, and later I'd pour off any excess that wasn't absorbed.

So the short answer is, don't listen to the experts who tell you, "no." Just try it. You have nothing to lose except a few seeds, a little fertilizer and time. It's a lot of fun.

burlbob

May 1, 20170 found this helpful

I have been helping my grand daughter with a science project where she is experimenting with different growing mediums. She used Miracle Grow potting mix, leaf compost, shredded newspaper, vacuum cleaner debris and a mixture of the compost, paper and debris. She planted bush beans in 5" pots. The beans sprouted and grew in the potting mix, compost and shredded paper.

marilynjarz

February 11, 20190 found this helpful

I've been sending my brown paper feed bags through my cross cut micro shredder and using that to grow micro greens. Works fabulously and now I don't have to mess with soil. My beet greens and onion micro greens worked great too so now I am definitely going to be starting my beet seedlings and onion plants for the garden on paper waste.

Bill H.

February 23, 20190 found this helpful

My question is whether I can incorporate dryer lint into shredded paper pulp to create mats for growing micro greens or sprouting. I am going to try this soon, just wondered if anyone had tried it before.