The EarthTainer "Farm" - June 1 (pics) - - Topping Plants Already

[rnewste]

Gill,

It is a delicate balancing act to provide the plants enough water for proper fruit development - - but not too much as it causes the tomatoes to have a watered-down taste to them. Putting in 100% Potting Mix in a SWC like the EarthTainer or other Commercially available SWCs saturates the plants with too much moisture.

You can see in the above photo how this excess moisture causes the bottom leaves to prematurely yellow and die. Here is another photo where the Moisture Meter was pegged on "Wet":



Conversely, here is a Cherokee Purple from this past Fall's crop in the 3:2:1 Combo Mix:



I think you can see the difference. The Moisture Meter read in the "Moist" range.

My point was that when you see wilting at the tops after a few days of hot weather, you may need to manually add a pint or quart of water to the plant. This should not be the "normal" (wilted) day-to-day condition.

Raybo

[gill_s]

Thanks for your reply, Raybo,
I can certainly see the difference between the 'moist' and 'wet ' results. Obviously your plants are getting enough water for good fruit development. Does the system work by capillary action from a reservoir below the container, with some composts becoming more saturated than the mixture you are using?
How many plants do you have in each container? It looks as though you don't pinch out the side shoots.(Is this 'sprawling'?) This is all so different to the method I have learnt in the UK, where we just let the one main stem grow up with Indeterminates. I have one last question! Does it harm the plants roots if you repeatedly stick the moisture meter into the compost? Or do you have a meter permanently in place in each container?
Sorry for so many questions! I am learning all the time!
Gill

[Talon1189]

I just finished building my first 2 earthtainers today. It was a fun and entertaining experience If my plants grow 2/3rds as big as Rays......I would be one happy camper here in Michigan Thanks Ray for all your research and development on these fine container planters

[rnewste]

Talon,

Congrats! You've lost your "Virginity" and have crossed over to the Container side (shame on you ContainerTed).

I am sure your adventure is just beginning with Mix and Fertilizer trials to experiment with, so holler if you ever need advice.

Raybo

[rnewste]

This message just received at the EarthTainer.org site. Kind of makes you appreciate what we have here in this Country.

"""Comments : I am very interested in this system.
I would like to build a demonstration unit, here in remote tropical AUSTRALIA,
with your permission.
I can see all sorts of possibilities for this, including raising the nutrition
of our indigeneous Aboriginal people.
If it is ok I will start seeking the relevant materials here.
Please advise"""

Of course, I gave him my full permission and even suggested local materials like a hollowed out bamboo for the filler tube, half a 55 gallon drum instead of the 31 gallon Tote, etc.

Raybo

[Talon1189]

Originally Posted by rnewste

This message just received at the EarthTainer.org site. Kind of makes you appreciate what we have here in this Country.

"""Comments : I am very interested in this system.
I would like to build a demonstration unit, here in remote tropical AUSTRALIA,
with your permission.
I can see all sorts of possibilities for this, including raising the nutrition
of our indigeneous Aboriginal people.
If it is ok I will start seeking the relevant materials here.
Please advise"""

Of course, I gave him my full permission and even suggested local materials like a hollowed out bamboo for the filler tube, half a 55 gallon drum instead of the 31 gallon Tote, etc.

Raybo

YOU GOOOOOOOOOOO RAYBO..............

[knoxruss]

Quick question regarding the 3:2:1 mix -

How large are the pieces of decorative bark? I am picturing the pine nuggets??

Thanks - knoxruss

[rnewste]

russ,

They are typically pretty small. About the size of a Dime to Quarter. Look for bags that say: "Decorative Groundcover Bark". Typically packaged in 2 cu. ft. bags that sell for about $4.50.

If you just need a very small quantity, you can use Reptile Bark found at pet stores - but obviously more expensive.

Raybo

[lefty_logan]

This is the stuff that Ray and I use and it works great.



Ray I hope you dont mind that I used your pic that you posted in another thread.


This is about how big the bark pieces are.