|
Post by rdback on Sept 8, 2022 11:04:18 GMT -6
...I had a bit of a plant accident this morning. I pull worn out leaves off my rhubarb, but I must have pulled wrong this morning, and a whole chunk of the plant came out instead of the leaf twisting off.... ...I like darker bottles to keep algae at bay a bit, though I do also use clear ones. It’s nice to be able to monitor the water level in them....
Firstly, I KNOW your Momma told you to "snip, not rip". lol
Lastly, the dark bottles do reduce algae, but also can absorb heat. Consider wrapping your bottles with tinfoil. Reflects the heat.You can wrap in such a fashion as to leave a "viewing window" so you can keep an eye on water level. Just a thought. *smile*
|
|
|
Post by John at Jorbins on Sept 8, 2022 11:10:56 GMT -6
...I had a bit of a plant accident this morning. I pull worn out leaves off my rhubarb, but I must have pulled wrong this morning, and a whole chunk of the plant came out instead of the leaf twisting off.... ...I like darker bottles to keep algae at bay a bit, though I do also use clear ones. It’s nice to be able to monitor the water level in them....
Firstly, I KNOW your Momma told you to "snip, not rip". lol
Lastly, the dark bottles do reduce algae, but also can absorb heat. Consider wrapping your bottles with tinfoil. Reflects the heat.You can wrap in such a fashion as to leave a "viewing window" so you can keep an eye on water level. Just a thought. *smile*
Yes the darker bottles get quite hot. The water inside as well. This is true and you have a good idea to wrap or insulate them.
|
|
|
Post by heavyhitterokra on Sept 8, 2022 11:12:46 GMT -6
I've patched many a hole in old boats/canoes by using a piece of innertube sandwiched between two fender washers, secured by a 1/4x20 bolt and nut. I'll bet that same setup would work to plug the bottom hole in a terracotta pot to turn it into an olla.
|
|
|
Post by johnatjorbins on Sept 8, 2022 14:03:49 GMT -6
I've patched many a hole in old boats/canoes by using a piece of innertube sandwiched between two fender washers, secured by a 1/4x20 bolt and nut. I'll bet that same setup would work to plug the bottom hole in a terracotta pot to turn it into an olla. That just may work! I am also tinkering with a power sprayer that hooks up to a hose. Basically a long tube with a handle. It is valved so you can control the pressure. Instead of top watering I just stick it about 4-5 inches under the soil in several spots around the plant in the root zone and let it trickle. Trying to experiment with easy but manual sub-surface watering. A water meter is a must. Just can't beat an automatic sub-surface drip system on a timer or ollas and spikes for manual watering. I tested it on a dry spot of grass in my lawn. I bumped the valve lever accidently with my leg and I swear it shot water to the core of the earth. Sunk the thing to the handle almost instantly. About 2 feet into the ground. Not a good thing to do.
|
|
|
Post by chrysanthemum on Sept 8, 2022 19:09:40 GMT -6
Ok, ima gonna is order those! They are just too cute!
Be careful now. I looked at the size of those and they're only like 6" long and 2" wide. Sounds kinda small to me but what do I know. Might need to ask chrysanthemum her thoughts. Mine are about 7 inches long and 2 inches wide, but I’m able to bury virtually the whole thing in the pot. With the decorative part on top of the ones in that link, the unglazed terra cotta itself is much smaller, so there would be less surface area to wick water into the soil. I think that’s why those specify that they’re for small plants.
|
|
|
Post by chrysanthemum on Sept 8, 2022 19:15:50 GMT -6
...I had a bit of a plant accident this morning. I pull worn out leaves off my rhubarb, but I must have pulled wrong this morning, and a whole chunk of the plant came out instead of the leaf twisting off.... ...I like darker bottles to keep algae at bay a bit, though I do also use clear ones. It’s nice to be able to monitor the water level in them....
Firstly, I KNOW your Momma told you to "snip, not rip". lol
Lastly, the dark bottles do reduce algae, but also can absorb heat. Consider wrapping your bottles with tinfoil. Reflects the heat.You can wrap in such a fashion as to leave a "viewing window" so you can keep an eye on water level. Just a thought. *smile*
Rdback, I’m afraid you must be confusing my mother with somebody else’s. My mother pulls stalks off her rhubarb plants instead of cutting them. I think there’s a tradition out there that says that cutting rhubarb can encourage infection or rot, so it’s best to pull the stalk clean away. Of course, it is NOT best to do it in such a way as to pull up part of the crown on a young plant as I did. I’ll need to be more careful in the future. My mother told me that she accidentally pulls out chunks of her rhubarb, too, but hers is so big that it’s probably good for it to be thinned a bit. She needs to divide hers this winter. My bottles of water do get warm, but everything gets warm in Texas heat. I try to install them so that they’re actually a bit shaded by the growing plants, and I especially want to make sure that the sun doesn’t shine through them onto a sensitive plant. It’s definitely something keep in mind when using them.
|
|
|
Post by chrysanthemum on Sept 8, 2022 19:22:41 GMT -6
The spikes are made of unglazed terra cotta and are buried in the soil. Because terra cotta is naturally porous water can seep through it into the surrounding soil. The drier the soil the quicker the water seeps because the soil sort of pulls it out. In my experience with the buried terra cotta pots in my garden, plants will actually grow their roots right around the pot and sort of suck water out. The wine bottle is just a reservoir for water that keeps filling the spike as the spike empties. My neighbor had them because she would use them on potted plants when she’d go on vacation. I had used wine bottles without spikes upside in my blueberries, but the necks can jam with soil, or the water can run out too fast. The spikes just make it easier to meter it out. It’s not a substitute for all watering in my opinion, but I consider it sort of insurance against a time when you miss a watering on a 100 + day in Texas, and the plant completely dies. I found this quick explanation with a drawing. It might make it clearer than I have done. www.jorbins.com/how-do-terracotta-watering-spikes-work/Let me know if I need to try explaining again. Maybe tomorrow I can get some pictures of some I have in action. Hi there, I am the one who wrote that note on terracotta watering spikes with the crudely drawn picture. I did write an article on ollas that explains further the concept of clay pot watering systems. In my opinion the watering spikes have done extremely well in my containers through some of the hottest 100+ degree weather this summer. However they aren't spike em' and forget them. Eventually the heat will dry out the soil faster than they can add back into the soil. Plants will take up more as well. So you need to monitor them and keep them within root range of the plant. Also, some plants will will empty a bottle of water faster than others. You have to keep an eye on them so you don't let them go dry or you may need additional spikes. During the heat waves I have been watering my potted plants through once a week plus filling the wine bottles I have in the spikes. The rest of the week is fine. Cooler 80 degree weather has been spikes only with no problems. I highly recommend adding a layer of mulch or straw over the soil to keep it cool and prevent excess evaporation plus purchase a moisture meter to gauge dryness in various spots around the plant. Someone mentioned grow bags. I did not add spikes or ollas to my grow bags. I struggled with watering them this year. Couldn't get the frequency right and it seemed like water would run out of the sides but no moisture was getting towards the center. I recommend using spikes or ollas in grow bags if you don't go with a drip system. I did put some grow bags in a plastic baby pool and bottom watered them. This worked really well. But you do want to have plants with similar water requirements when you do. I over watered some plants while others thrived. Good thing about grow bags is that you can move them around. Another idea is to put your grow bags in their own water catching tray that is about an inch or inch and a half tall an bottom water them individually. Thanks for chiming in. My whole raised-bed garden area is filled with simple ollas. This summer has been so hot and dry that I have to surface water as well, but the ollas have really proved their worth during our intense heat and drought. I think they’re a great concept for arid climates.
|
|
|
Post by johnatjorbins on Sept 8, 2022 20:10:07 GMT -6
Hi there, I am the one who wrote that note on terracotta watering spikes with the crudely drawn picture. I did write an article on ollas that explains further the concept of clay pot watering systems. In my opinion the watering spikes have done extremely well in my containers through some of the hottest 100+ degree weather this summer. However they aren't spike em' and forget them. Eventually the heat will dry out the soil faster than they can add back into the soil. Plants will take up more as well. So you need to monitor them and keep them within root range of the plant. Also, some plants will will empty a bottle of water faster than others. You have to keep an eye on them so you don't let them go dry or you may need additional spikes. During the heat waves I have been watering my potted plants through once a week plus filling the wine bottles I have in the spikes. The rest of the week is fine. Cooler 80 degree weather has been spikes only with no problems. I highly recommend adding a layer of mulch or straw over the soil to keep it cool and prevent excess evaporation plus purchase a moisture meter to gauge dryness in various spots around the plant. Someone mentioned grow bags. I did not add spikes or ollas to my grow bags. I struggled with watering them this year. Couldn't get the frequency right and it seemed like water would run out of the sides but no moisture was getting towards the center. I recommend using spikes or ollas in grow bags if you don't go with a drip system. I did put some grow bags in a plastic baby pool and bottom watered them. This worked really well. But you do want to have plants with similar water requirements when you do. I over watered some plants while others thrived. Good thing about grow bags is that you can move them around. Another idea is to put your grow bags in their own water catching tray that is about an inch or inch and a half tall an bottom water them individually. Thanks for chiming in. My whole raised-bed garden area is filled with simple ollas. This summer has been so hot and dry that I have to surface water as well, but the ollas have really proved their worth during our intense heat and drought. I think they’re a great concept for arid climates. Hi there, I am the one who wrote that note on terracotta watering spikes with the crudely drawn picture. I did write an article on ollas that explains further the concept of clay pot watering systems. In my opinion the watering spikes have done extremely well in my containers through some of the hottest 100+ degree weather this summer. However they aren't spike em' and forget them. Eventually the heat will dry out the soil faster than they can add back into the soil. Plants will take up more as well. So you need to monitor them and keep them within root range of the plant. Also, some plants will will empty a bottle of water faster than others. You have to keep an eye on them so you don't let them go dry or you may need additional spikes. During the heat waves I have been watering my potted plants through once a week plus filling the wine bottles I have in the spikes. The rest of the week is fine. Cooler 80 degree weather has been spikes only with no problems. I highly recommend adding a layer of mulch or straw over the soil to keep it cool and prevent excess evaporation plus purchase a moisture meter to gauge dryness in various spots around the plant. Someone mentioned grow bags. I did not add spikes or ollas to my grow bags. I struggled with watering them this year. Couldn't get the frequency right and it seemed like water would run out of the sides but no moisture was getting towards the center. I recommend using spikes or ollas in grow bags if you don't go with a drip system. I did put some grow bags in a plastic baby pool and bottom watered them. This worked really well. But you do want to have plants with similar water requirements when you do. I over watered some plants while others thrived. Good thing about grow bags is that you can move them around. Another idea is to put your grow bags in their own water catching tray that is about an inch or inch and a half tall an bottom water them individually. Thanks for chiming in. My whole raised-bed garden area is filled with simple ollas. This summer has been so hot and dry that I have to surface water as well, but the ollas have really proved their worth during our intense heat and drought. I think they’re a great concept for arid climates. Had to do some top watering as well. It hasn't been the heat as much as the hot wind around here. Just drys everything out so quick. Today was bad. When I was grilling tonight I looked over at some herbs growing in a pot. The top inch of the soil was bone dry but the herbs looked great. I put the moisture meter down deeper between the herbs and the olla and the moisture tested perfectly. Haven't filled the olla since Sunday evening. So about 4 days in 95 to 101 temps. I filled the olla and cooled off the soil on top and good to go.
|
|
|
Post by heavyhitterokra on Sept 9, 2022 5:01:21 GMT -6
When reading this, it sure makes me grateful that our sizzling summer temperatures have finally dropped. It's currently 59 degrees here at 5:58 am and a flannel shirt feels good this morning. Our high today is only supposed to be about 90° or so.
|
|
|
Post by rdback on Sept 9, 2022 6:33:18 GMT -6
Firstly, I KNOW your Momma told you to "snip, not rip". lol
Lastly, the dark bottles do reduce algae, but also can absorb heat. Consider wrapping your bottles with tinfoil. Reflects the heat.You can wrap in such a fashion as to leave a "viewing window" so you can keep an eye on water level. Just a thought. *smile*
Rdback, I’m afraid you must be confusing my mother with somebody else’s. My mother pulls stalks off her rhubarb plants instead of cutting them. I think there’s a tradition out there that says that cutting rhubarb can encourage infection or rot, so it’s best to pull the stalk clean away. Of course, it is NOT best to do it in such a way as to pull up part of the crown on a young plant as I did. I’ll need to be more careful in the future. My mother told me that she accidentally pulls out chunks of her rhubarb, too, but hers is so big that it’s probably good for it to be thinned a bit. She needs to divide hers this winter. My bottles of water do get warm, but everything gets warm in Texas heat. I try to install them so that they’re actually a bit shaded by the growing plants, and I especially want to make sure that the sun doesn’t shine through them onto a sensitive plant. It’s definitely something keep in mind when using them.
Oops. Shows ya how much I know about rhubarb. Never grown the stuff.
|
|
|
Post by johnatjorbins on Sept 9, 2022 9:34:27 GMT -6
When reading this, it sure makes me grateful that our sizzling summer temperatures have finally dropped. It's currently 59 degrees here at 5:58 am and a flannel shirt feels good this morning. Our high today is only supposed to be about 90° or so. Interesting, here in Nebraska we are at 58 at 10:30. Not to get above 68. Was 102 at the highest yesterday. Turned the A/C off and windows open. Good day to open up the detached garage and do some wood working! I decided to do an update note that shows a few images of my flower containers that have ollas and watering spikes if anyone is interested. www.jorbins.com/note-my-results-with-ollas-and-terracotta-watering-spikes/
|
|
|
Post by chrysanthemum on Sept 10, 2022 5:32:44 GMT -6
Oops. Shows ya how much I know about rhubarb. Never grown the stuff.
Really? Do you ever eat rhubarb? Maybe it’s just because I grew up with it, but I love it, and so does everybody in my family. We don’t have it often because we have to buy frozen packages down here, but rhubarb crisp is so valued in our family that we have it as a birthday or holiday dessert. I’m hoping to be able to grow enough to store in the freezer. I have a few more transplants started from seed now out in the garden. I need to go update my rhubarb thread.
|
|
|
Post by chrysanthemum on Sept 10, 2022 5:52:19 GMT -6
When reading this, it sure makes me grateful that our sizzling summer temperatures have finally dropped. It's currently 59 degrees here at 5:58 am and a flannel shirt feels good this morning. Our high today is only supposed to be about 90° or so. Interesting, here in Nebraska we are at 58 at 10:30. Not to get above 68. Was 102 at the highest yesterday. Turned the A/C off and windows open. Good day to open up the detached garage and do some wood working! I decided to do an update note that shows a few images of my flower containers that have ollas and watering spikes if anyone is interested. www.jorbins.com/note-my-results-with-ollas-and-terracotta-watering-spikes/Down here in Texas just this week we started having some morning lows of 68. It has been delightful. Once the sun really comes up, though, the temperatures rise quickly. Nevertheless, we’re having highs only in the mid 90s and sometimes clouds. That’s much better than the constant 100+ temperatures of earlier this summer. johnatjorbins , those potted plants looked beautiful.
|
|
|
Post by amyinowasso on Sept 10, 2022 13:34:44 GMT -6
I would like to take credit for the kiddie pool idea, but it's an internet "thing". Originally you used Walmart reusable shopping bags (at the time they cost .50). Those bags don't hold up to sun and water as well as grow bags. We collect kiddie pools (might be on clearance now). Doesn't even matter if there are holes in them. I have an area I call pool row where there's weed block laid down and then a row of pools. I like this method best with grow bags. We plant sweet potatoes in a 5' diameter grow "bed". Years ago I tried poking holes in some Gatorade bottles and burying them in a pot with pepper plants. I was trying to keep the costs down then. Eventually my husband pulled them out and I guess we kept them to reuse. However, he drank a lot of Gatorade and reused the bottles so periodically he would forget there were holes in them and bring them in, clean them up and try to uses them for water. He'd put them in the recycling bin and forget they had holes and do it all over again. Those may finally be gone now.
|
|
|
Post by heavyhitterokra on Sept 10, 2022 14:30:14 GMT -6
johnatjorbins,
Those flowers were beautiful! Thanks, for posting that.
|
|