Is it my imagination or do things planted in the eBuckets take a longer time to take off? I planted all my greens at the same time in the EBs, in 24" planters and in the eBuckets. To date, the eBuckets have lagged way behind. The plants are just now taking off after almost 3-1/2 weeks. The EB plants are huge, and the 24" containers are looking perky. This is not the first time I've noticed how slowly plants take off in the buckets.
Anyone else have a commentary here, please do so. Thanks.
I might try BocaBob's coconut coir next time in the eBuckets to see if that makes a difference. I can't figure out why the growth rate is so slow...
eBUCKET SLOW GROWTH
I have to say I agree with you. They take longer to take off, but do get going. I have noticed that my grow bags take off even faster than my EB's, and I have coco coir in all three. It may have to do with top spray watering (and feeding). The new seedlings get a quicker root feeding than the EB's (where the roots need to grow down to the moisture. I have read somewhere ( I think the EB forum) that some people top water and feed (the EB'sand Ebuckets) with liquid fertilizer the young seedlings to give them a head start for alittle while.
BocaBob
Yes, I give them one spraying of the Spray n Gro kit but that is it after that.
What's an eBucket? Is it a brand name or just any bucket used like an EB(ox)?
Yes, please what is an ebucket? Hmmmm.
joy112854
This is my version of a ebucket
What are ebuckets and who sells them?
Thanks
Jerry
Jerry, as far as I know, all ebuckets are homemade. They use the same science of a water resivoir and top fertilizer and a closed top.
BocaBob
I guess it all depends on how they are made and by whom? Personally, I will stay with my ol reliable EBs as they have never let me down because of construction error and I'm getting to old for disappointments. I'll leave that hit or miss to you younger generation gardeners. I love my EBs for their ease of care and personal satisfaction at harvesting time. Just sit and think all the time planning and constructing them and then the frusteration if they don't work? I'll pay the $30 per knowing I have a winner! This is just my opinion and not meant for a heated debate from the very few of you that have been successeful with your HEBs which other than BocaBobs success I've not seen pictorial proof of the many, many that have tried and missed their entire short growing system trying to save a few bucks. I have had mine since the beginning and have never been disappointed except by virus which we occasionally all have to coupe with as that is part of gardening. They cost ten dollars more than a 20" clay container but unlike the clay they virtually last a lifetime! Which reminds me I must spray with garden disease control today as a preventative because the temperatures have been flucuating to rapidly and that is a possible sign of a virus to follow.
TPlant: I gotta agree with you there for me too. I'm a bit on the lazy side and clumsy side, as I'd probably wind up putting the holes where they aren't supposed to go. LOL But; Boca Bob can sure invent some neat things can't he? We should call him inventor Bob I think.
joy112854
Not to get too far off topic, but one of the things that caught my attention when I first started reading about the EB concept was the fact that the system requires water to be wicked from the bottom reservoir and the plant food to somehow work its way down to the roots.
I can see how plant food placed up top can reach the roots down below when the plant is watered from the top, as the water will carry the food down to the roots. I'm not understanding the science of the food going down when the water is coming up.
Anyone care to expand on how this works.
Thanks
The mix is always moist and water activates the fertilizer. The same principle as watering your lawn or your flower pot with granular fertilizer. You have to PLACE IT ON TOP AND THE WATER SLOWLY BREAKS DOWN THE FERTILIZER. A picture is worth ten thousand words!
I was told by a gardener years ago that plants take up nutrients not with their bottom roots but rather through feeder roots closer to the top. Therefore he said to sprinkle (even in a regular garden) fertilizer on top and only work it into the soil a small amount. Covering with a bit of mulch would keep it moist so it would seep down naturally. Before that I was putting the fertilizer in the bottom of a hole but away from the deep roots. So the E-Box method makes sense if what I was told is correct! The plants will feed from the top as it seeps in slowly.
This message was edited Nov 22, 2008 1:59 PM
That is very true except for bulbs at planting time.
I'm even careful with bulbs since one can burn the bulb roots if one adds it too close to the bulbs at planting time. Even a bulb grower recommended that the fertilizer be placed on top of the hole right after planting. It will seep down. I always add additional fertilizer in the fall for all my bulbs and obviously that has to go on top (with added mulch). The bulbs seem quite happy with that!
I should have said bone meal instead of fertilizer as that is all they need to start as they have their own built in supply and then add fertilizer when they are strong enough to handle it unless organic fertilizer which can be added at any time.
Hmmm, I just planted daffodils a while ago and what I did was since I want them in pots, I mixed the fertilizer I used (for containers) and mixed it into the bottom of the pot with the garden mix, I also added bone meal to the bottom of the hole where I put each bulb. Funny, as I was told to get them all planted and they'd come up in the Spring, and now about 10 of 80 I planted are started to show their green foilage. I was told not to worry about it though, as they would just come back in the Spring. They need cold weather to grow; but, this crazy cold/hot mixed up weather had them confused I think.
joy112854
Thanks Tplant for the clarification about the bonemeal. I add that too but use only organic bulb fertilizer.
Joy, even up here in the NE our weather has been crazy so bulbs often sprout in the fall and sit all winter with a couple of inches showing. It doesn't seem to harm them. The first leaves may yellow from the freezing but they recover come spring and bloom normally. Can you grow daffodils in your part of Florida without freezing them first? I was always under the impression one had to freeze bulbs for a few weeks in the South to get them to grow. But it depends on how cold you get.
Gardadore: It gets chilly here, I say chilly, as those from up north will think I'm a big baby for crying about temps as low as 30 and 20; but to me that's plenty cold. LOL Sometimes it dips down to the one digits too. One good thing, is I have a boyfriend living where TPlant and Boca Bob live, so will probably be spending my winters in south Florida from here on. My hands are itching for something to plant.
joy112854
LOL I just came inside because it was getting windy and chilly in the low 60's? See how one becomes accustomed to their climate. Upper 50's or 60's is cold for me and I used to work around in a t-shirt in this type of weather when I lived in NY! And sweat!!
I tell you though, My cool weather veggies are LOVING this weather. I have collards, peas, carrots, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, broccoli, and lettuce thriving.
BocaBob
Chinese cabbage in pic
Yes this weather is terrific for our plants including our tomatos. I'm starting to get buds on most all of them. Sprayed with Ortho Garden Disease Control yesterday as I'm not taking any chances this season as the weather has been varying a bit to much. No whiteflies as of yet but the Bug-B-Gone is on standby!
Boca Bob: Yes, they look great!
joy112854
That shows how uninformed I am! I never realized that North Florida got that cold! I just hear the word "Florida" and feel warm! I think 20 and 30 is cold too! Like you, I'm itching to get outside but to finish the fall cleanup. By now my buckets of mulch I set aside the other day when it got dark are frozen! I can work in the 40's but not below. Then I get too cold. This last week we had added winds which put the wind chill in the teens. Not ready for this yet! Now 50's and 60's would be heaven! But temps up here like that now would just get things growing again only to be killed off. So we have to be content with what we have. I guess I need a place where I could garden all year round. I love to play in the dirt!!
You make me hungry and jealous, Boca Bob. What great crops you are getting! Question: Do you grow your cabbages and broccoli in the same containers or area again? I planted some this summer but don't know if I should use the same soil next year. Happy gardening, Floridians!!
Gardadore: I haven't been going outside, been snuggling up under a blanket and dreaming of south Florida lately, sniffles. This is the last winter I spend here I think. Mike says it is really nice in south Florida now, gotta rub the salt in my wounds. LOL I broke 5 canna lily seeds three days ago and soaked them and nicked them today and put them in peat pellets, then turned on the grow lights.
I've been think about digging out the GPs and EBs and sticking some of the startings I started from seed on October 23rd; but, don't know if they will do ok in the house or if I should attempt to put them outside?
joy112854
What's a GP? Something, obvious, I'm sure!
Garden Patch they are just like the earth boxes except they are a bit bigger and don't have the watering tube; but has a bigger reservoir. That is what I used for my veggies this last Spring/Summer and will probably use indoors for my artichokes.
joy11285