Mini Greenhouses

Saturday at the Master Gardener Plant Sale, we had a display showing how to use recycled items in the Garden. Here were 3 of my contributions....

On the left: Pop Bottle Planter. The bottle is cut all the way around just above the soil level, except for a section about 1" wide, which keeps it closed in place.

Middle: Pop Bottle is cut all the way around and used to put over cuttings in a 4" pot. It snugs in perfectly.

Far Right....a zip lock back with a 2" pot inside with cuttings rooting in soil.

Excellent, just wondering with the first pop bottle, how do they not get rotten. Do you put drain holes in the bottom?
Heather

Yes...punch drain holes in the bottom and I water in there by unscrewing the top. Can also open the top if the humidity builds up too much....

If you leave the lids on, doesn't it stay too wet in there?

It can...then I take the lids off....or crack an opening at soil level.

HAHAHA...get THIS!!!

After I took that picture, I left all three "samples" on my art table....until today!!!! In the meantime I didn't water, didn't open them up, did N.A.D.A. - not even on a heat pad.

Guess what?

ALL were rooted! The soil was still moist. Out day temps in the upper 70s and night temps in the 60's and these were on the screened in porch, minimal light.

Man...was THAT easy!!!

Lucked out again.

Carol

Oh now I get it just ignore them!!!

That's funny. I use "little greenhouses" for rooting my cuttings in pots, but have never thought of using a heat source. Was thinking of doing it for one of mine that's resisting new growth (Thomsonii) - it does have lots of roots though, and looks healthy enough. I think I'll hang tough, and wait him out, likely just wants to fill the pot up with roots first. Please let me be right!
Christine

Christine,

Isn't H. thomsonii slow? I think I have gotten 2 leaves, no new growth in three years. A couple of leaves yellowed and fell off. What does this plant like? I have tried it in every window. Kept it dryer then wetter. It does nothing... Any tricks to this one anyone?

Glad I'm not alone Tami. Mine's on a bookcase in front of a north-west facing window. Gets bright light, and a small bit of very late day sun. Its sitting with 6 other hoyas I got at the same time, and they're all growing like crazy. Lots of roots, looks nice and healthy, but no growth since day one - August this year. I agree, any tricks would be nice to know! Thanks.

I find mine are slow to start...but once going...they go like gangbusters. Christine, sounds like yours would be warm enough...it does like bright indirect light and mine get lots of water!!!!

HTH

Thanks Carol. Good to know they're slow starters. I'll stop being impatient...lol.

I use something like Carol does, only my bottom part comes with nacho dip and you get to eat the dip first! Pretty clear why I'M on a diet huh? Diet coke and nacho dip. LOL

You can plant directly into the dip container or place a small pot in it, which gets bottom-watered when the condensation drips down the sides!

K

This message was edited Dec 13, 2005 9:22 AM

What a great idea....

What a great excuse to buy nacho dip!

Any plant advice that involves eating food seems like pure genius to me!!! (yea, diet in my future, too!)

Hee hee! I'll have a double order...=0)