Myth-Busters "Challenge" Tomatoville-style - - CONFIRMED or BUSTED - Page 4

amideutch · March 18, 2008

Don, I take it your going to use the rubbermaid containers and rather than put holes in the bottom your going to put a couple holes in the side 2"-4" up from the bottom to create a reservoir. I do the same with my styrofoam ice chests that I use for containers. Unless you are going to water continually you won't have a problem. I have a German version of the EB with a plastic grate sitting up about 2" from the bottom. When I removed the plant the roots had grown down into the reservoir and were quite healthy. Basically the plant was growing hydroponically. By keeping an eye on the aggregate and lifting the containers you should get a feel for what is going on as far as how much water is being retained in the reservoir. Like you said you can always punch a couple holes lower if you think you have a problem. By the time your plants are 3 feet tall you should have it pretty much in control. Ami

TomatoDon · March 20, 2008

Thanks Ami. I think it will work. Nursery's grow in containers all the time and as long as they keep the spil moist it works fine. It's the every day watering that the home gardener doesn't like, or forgets, and then gets poor results. With an automatic timer for the irrigation it should work well, but still I need to check it every day or so.

I have quite a few 24 gallon Rubbermaids ready to go. Will be trying some blueberries in a few also. Will keep you posted on progress.

Don

hasshoes · October 26, 2008

How did the trials turn out?

roamwhereiwant2 · October 31, 2008

Please - what did you learn? What's the end of season report?

Yvonne

rnewste · October 31, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by roamwhereiwant2

Please - what did you learn? What's the end of season report?

Yvonne

Yvonne,

See this thread on what I learned:

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=9701

Ray

March 18, 2008	#1
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Don, I take it your going to use the rubbermaid containers and rather than put holes in the bottom your going to put a couple holes in the side 2"-4" up from the bottom to create a reservoir. I do the same with my styrofoam ice chests that I use for containers. Unless you are going to water continually you won't have a problem. I have a German version of the EB with a plastic grate sitting up about 2" from the bottom. When I removed the plant the roots had grown down into the reservoir and were quite healthy. Basically the plant was growing hydroponically. By keeping an eye on the aggregate and lifting the containers you should get a feel for what is going on as far as how much water is being retained in the reservoir. Like you said you can always punch a couple holes lower if you think you have a problem. By the time your plants are 3 feet tall you should have it pretty much in control. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

March 20, 2008	#2
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,523	Thanks Ami. I think it will work. Nursery's grow in containers all the time and as long as they keep the spil moist it works fine. It's the every day watering that the home gardener doesn't like, or forgets, and then gets poor results. With an automatic timer for the irrigation it should work well, but still I need to check it every day or so. I have quite a few 24 gallon Rubbermaids ready to go. Will be trying some blueberries in a few also. Will keep you posted on progress. Don __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS

October 26, 2008	#3
hasshoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MT Posts: 438	How did the trials turn out?

October 31, 2008	#4
roamwhereiwant2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, GA, 7b Posts: 130	Please - what did you learn? What's the end of season report? Yvonne