My first earthtainer

SaberTooth · August 22, 2010

I finished my first one today and followed the directions with one exception. I used the heavy duty Gamos wire round baskets but the pair I used had three legs instead of the four shown in the instructions. Will these be sturdy enough to hold without bending?

rnewste · August 22, 2010

Saber,

Sure, the 3 leg ones will work - - but may not be sturdy enough when adding the (optional) cage extension, and the plant loads up with fruit. If you are planning on growing smaller to mid-size varieties - no worries!!

Raybo

SaberTooth · August 23, 2010

Thanks for your reply Raybo. If I do not add the optional second set of cages and stick to a single set of 54", can I grow any of the following varieties without fear?

Aussie
Box Car Willie
Kellog's Breakfast
Mexico
German Head
Red Brandywine
Druzba
Eva's Purple Ball

rnewste · August 23, 2010

Saber,

Here was my Druzba on the far left:

Kellogs and Brandywine will also grow to this height.

You will definitely need cage extensions - - or do a lot of heavy pruning.

Raybo

dice · August 24, 2010

Box Car Willie and Mexico get big, too.

rnewste · August 24, 2010

Saber,

In further thinking through the mechanics (and reflecting on younger days building with my Erector Set), I think you will be fine adding cage extensions. With the wire rope clip holding the 2 base cages together at hoopset #3, you will still have a pretty rugged structure now comprised of 6 supporting legs, vs. the 8 legs in the original design.

You may get some twisting in heavy winds, but if you are not in a high wind zone you should be fine. I would rather see you fully grow out the plants toward the sky, than cut them back at the height of the base cage.

Keep us posted on how they do.

Raybo

SaberTooth · August 25, 2010

Thanks for your additional post. Those are some nice looking plants in your picture.

I did also have another question for you. In your instructions, you recommend Perlite in the soil mix. Is this better, same or no difference to Vermiculite? I've heard Perlite has the tendency to rise in the container when watered
and I was wondering if you think Perlite has an advantage.

dice · August 26, 2010

Vermiculite soaks up water, compresses more, and breaks
down to fine particles. In texture, air space maintenance,
water holding capacity, and longevity, it is more like an organic
material in the container mix than perlite, which acts more
like a very light form of rock.

Alternatives would be pumice, lava sand, rice hulls, etc. (Rice
hulls do not last as long as perlite or some kind of rock, but
they do not decay quickly.) A lot of recipes for making your own
container mix recommend coarse builder's sand as an
ingredient. Most of what I have seen bagged is not as large
as the particles in a bag of perlite from a garden center or
nursery.

SaberTooth · August 26, 2010

Thank you. Perlite it is.

RinTinTin · September 5, 2010

A lot of the pelite will in fact float to the surface, as it is lighter than water. In it's vertical motion it will leave little air pockets behind. These help the soil by creating spaces for air and water to get trapped. Plants thrive when the soil has ample pockets for air and water to remain.

August 22, 2010	#1
SaberTooth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31	My first earthtainer I finished my first one today and followed the directions with one exception. I used the heavy duty Gamos wire round baskets but the pair I used had three legs instead of the four shown in the instructions. Will these be sturdy enough to hold without bending?

August 24, 2010	#5
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Box Car Willie and Mexico get big, too. __________________ -- alias

August 25, 2010	#7
SaberTooth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31	Thanks Raybo Thanks for your additional post. Those are some nice looking plants in your picture. I did also have another question for you. In your instructions, you recommend Perlite in the soil mix. Is this better, same or no difference to Vermiculite? I've heard Perlite has the tendency to rise in the container when watered and I was wondering if you think Perlite has an advantage.

August 26, 2010	#8
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Vermiculite soaks up water, compresses more, and breaks down to fine particles. In texture, air space maintenance, water holding capacity, and longevity, it is more like an organic material in the container mix than perlite, which acts more like a very light form of rock. Alternatives would be pumice, lava sand, rice hulls, etc. (Rice hulls do not last as long as perlite or some kind of rock, but they do not decay quickly.) A lot of recipes for making your own container mix recommend coarse builder's sand as an ingredient. Most of what I have seen bagged is not as large as the particles in a bag of perlite from a garden center or nursery. __________________ -- alias

August 22, 2010	#2
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Saber, Sure, the 3 leg ones will work - - but may not be sturdy enough when adding the (optional) cage extension, and the plant loads up with fruit. If you are planning on growing smaller to mid-size varieties - no worries!! Raybo

August 23, 2010	#3
SaberTooth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31	Variety Question Thanks for your reply Raybo. If I do not add the optional second set of cages and stick to a single set of 54", can I grow any of the following varieties without fear? Aussie Box Car Willie Kellog's Breakfast Mexico German Head Red Brandywine Druzba Eva's Purple Ball

September 5, 2010	#10
RinTinTin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 581	A lot of the pelite will in fact float to the surface, as it is lighter than water. In it's vertical motion it will leave little air pockets behind. These help the soil by creating spaces for air and water to get trapped. Plants thrive when the soil has ample pockets for air and water to remain.