Ok, everyone knows I got a bunch of coconut coir in right. Well, right behind the coconut coir truck comes the fed ex truck with what? My 4 artichoke plants from California, so, they are one year old plants and I didn't want them to die. What to do? Well, just so happens, 3 of my new HEBs were done, imagine that if you will. Yeah, I know TPlant is probably thinking yeah Joy just wanted to play with her new toys and if she was living in Ohio and got a pair of ice skates in July would go about figgering out a way to use those ice skates, well, he might be right? LOL
Anyways, Jaywhacker and his late night ideas have been rubbing off on me, and this light bulb goes off, and presto, I decided what to do. The three new HEBs don't have a drain hole yet, it's about 17 degrees outside right now; but, I gotta get these things planted right? So; I take out a block of that coconut coir, soak it in the extra tote I just happened to have right there right? And they are in HEBs now. Yes, I used the lime, yes I put in the fertilizer, I did give them a boost, as a phone call went out to Bob really quick and he suggested I give them a little fertilizer and epsom salt to get them going til the other kicked in. I only planted two HEBs and ran out of coconut coir before I got through the second one, so mixed in what was left from my Jungle Grow in there. Now, they are inside with me, until the weather warms up enough for them to go outside. The thing with artichoke plants is they love the coolness; but, its a mite too cool right now, that will hopefully change in a week or so.
Lastly, I did a quick trial and error thingy, I'm no good at science; but, I do lots of trials and error thingys, mostly winding up in error; but, figured out how much water would go in the reservoir with the watering bucket, so, added that much at the end, I can pretty much trial and error the how much water do they need, til I can move them outside and drill the drain hole, which I have figgered out exactly where it needs to go to, it's marked. (smiles). Now, just patience and waiting right?
joy
Emergency Planting
OOps, Just thought of something, it's probably not a good idea for my guy to use an electric drill to put the drain holes in those two HEBs ya think? Anyone got any ideas of how to put those two drain holes in the boxes when the time comes?
joy
Hold the end of a screwdriver over your stove burner til it's red hot. USE AND OVEN MIT TO HOLD THE OTHER END. It should burn a nice hole clean through the plastic box...I used this method to poke holes in my styrofoam cups last summer....!
Gymgirl: You are the greatest. Sounds like the plan. Now, I have a question for you or whoever else is making these 5 gallon buckets into HE buckets. Everyone seems to like working on the tote boxes but when they look at the 5 gallon buckets they cringe, they seem to think it is harder to cut through, how did everyone get the hole for the pond basket and the hole for the water fill tube in the 5 gallon bucket? Is there an easy way?
joy112854
I use a drill and doorknob bits. 1.5" to make the fill tube holes thru the potting bucket N thru the lid. I use a 3-1/8" to drill the cente hole in the potting bucket, to hole my wicking basket. I have used a red Solo cup with slits in it. .
Gymgirl: I was going to do my buckets like the kitty litter bucket posted on this website, and thinking maybe a 2" flat wooden bit would take care of that one. I just got 6 more buckets given to me tonight. Which means I have 14 now which will make 7 HE buckets.
joy112854
Joy112854 be careful with flat bit aka spade bit..They can do lot of jumping around ..Best to use both hands on drill..Get someone to hold bucket .BE Careful.. Do you mean the same design with buckets as with home made EBs
Tubby
BE safe buy hole saw..Cheaper than Dr, bill
Tubby: I will tell the people making them for me that ok? Thanks. I don't go near drills, I'd be too dangerous with one of them in my hands, like with me trying to hang a pic on the wall with a hammer and nail, would have to have a pic to cover the holes in the wall left from hitting the wall with hammer. So, I leave that to those who know what they are doing. LOL
joy
Who did you order those artichoke plants from
Garden Glory: Surf and Sierra in California.
joy