How to Plant a 24" ePlanter CONVERSION SYSTEM 101

Tinki, a stupid question? What do you mean by "the penny just dropped"? Are you saying Oh, now I see?

Lane, I believe that's what she meant.

How've you been? I've been outta pocket getting outta Dodge. Biting the bullet on this season. If I get settled in before fall (and it looks likely), I'll probably just throw some seeds in a milk jug and pray they do something in the cool. It is still burning up here. Tomorrow in the upper 90's.

Everybody's waiting on the cool front. Which will show up overnight, give us 12 weeks of winter, then be back to 90 degrees as quickly as it came.

Linda

Linda, gardens have really suffered here this year for everybody. After June everyone just kinda called it quits as you read in my blog on the drought conditions (http://mckarion.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/frugal-gardener-drought-takes-its-toll/).

An interesting thing, though. I have done absolutely nothing with my tomato eBuckets because when I was trying to water them it was so hot no blooms could set and I decided any effort was a waste. I don't know where they got any moisture but there are STILL some leaves on the straggly plants and they are attempting to grow as it cools off.

The past week weather is promising for growth so I want to get out this week and do some outside work.

Good to hear from you; have thought of you and your gardening often .
Lane

Lane,
They pull it from the rain! Mine did so for two months. The beauty of the reservoir.

On another note, I've been discussing soils and composting with Al (Tapla) over in that forum, and will be trying his container soil recipe in the future in the eBuckets. It's 5 parts pine bark fines, 1 part peat, 1-2 parts perlite, and then adding any add'l amendments.

The soil is fast draining, aerobic and holds moisture. It's also made up of a larger mineral component than the fine particles I've been dealing with (compost, etc.), which tends to start compacting in the container. If this formula does what others have attested to, the eBuckets should REALLY put out some phenomenal growth.

Also, since his recipe allows for lots of aeration/oxygenation, there would probably be no need for the colander or the reservoir, if the eBuckets are put on an auto drip watering system. I'm excited about the possibility, and will keep you posted!

My biggest holdup (besides relocating) is finding those pine bark fines. They are NOT easy to come by everywhere...

Linda

Linda, the only thing I would caution, if you don't use a colander. is be sure to have drainage holes in the BOTTOM of the bucket, otherwise, water would collect in the bottom of the bucket. The colander reservoir in the eBucket eliminates the mix standing in water, which it would do without drainage holes in the bottom. You would not want 4 inches of water/mix.

You mentioned that eBuckets collect water from rain. That would be my first guess, the only thing is we had almost no rain during the months of July/Aug. The mysteries and questions go on.
Lane

Lane,
Thanks for the caution about the holes. Can't wait to try It so I can see what the veggies do!

Gymgirl, Al told me that his 5.1.1. mix is to porous to wick water with EB system.
I did a mix of 5.4.1. so I can still use EB system.
Regards Tinki.

PS. I am male (:o) Tinki is my little dog's name.
I think I will change name as it is confusing.

HELP!!!!! i don't think I can change my name.
Anyone know where and if I can?
I don't see anywhere on my home member page where I can.

Regards Tinki

Tinki,
You have to get permission from the Admins to change your name. And, they allow you only one name change, ever, so make it good, ok?

I started off as "Cheerio" and I'm glad I changed!

Also, I'll try Tapla's 5:1:1 mix (or some close ratio) in a plain 5-gallon bucket with drainage holes. It'll be on an auto drip system, with no built in reservoir or wick. I really just wanna see what the homemade soil will do for the veggies.

Linda

Thanks Linda,who do I contact? I think I may try the 5.1.1. sytem of Tapla's as well.
Sure would save time and effort, once the drip system is set up, I guess.

Regards Tinki.

Go to the contact us link or the Daves Garden forum. I think it's also under the FAQ section.

Thanks Linda, "done".

Regards Tinki

So, what's "Tinki" gonna become next? I just love "do-overs!"

So who are you going to be now? Buff Bob-so we know your male.

I'd go with either "PennyDropper," or "eBoxer".

This message was edited Sep 15, 2010 1:05 PM

Hi all, "Tinki is now Dukesoz."
my nickname is Duke and I am from OZ (:0)

Regards.

Gessie Violet: I stuck with huge nursery pots and have hauled them inside already for the Fall/Winter season, we are getting nights down to 50 degrees now. Finding liners for the pots wasn't easy; but I managed to find some huge ones.

As far as the dragon fruit tree, it's not gonna happen; but, I could always buy a friend a dragon fruit tree and they could send me some fruit, which I have found the friend in the right area to do just that (smiles).
joy

This is a great thread with lots of good info. I will be doing some of these next year for sure. Thanks for posting all this.