I need a favor! - Page 2

Dutch · February 16, 2015

Thanks, Robert (Alittlesalt)! Your post did give me the opportunity to make a point that was important and so a little clarification on my part was a good thing. No hard feelings here. Thanks again.
Dutch

AlittleSalt · February 16, 2015

I guess, "Grow your own" might mean something other than Growing your own tomatoes and pepper plants? This thread is about that so. Dutch, your posts are gold to me - I'm sorry that my reply made you think f anything else. I take blame.

I guess I should wait until this pain phase goes away some before posting again anywhere else in Tomatoville. I' never meant to cause any problems.

My intent was to completely support Worth. I agree with his enthusiasm. I nod at him as a Texan.

Dutch, sorry if my wording was incorrect

Dutch · February 16, 2015

All is well Robert! I shouldn't jump to conclusions
Post on!

Dutch

Worth1 · February 17, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkeiper

This would also depend on the ambient air temperature and the type of media used to grow the plants in, too. There are going to be a lot of factors influencing just how much water and and how often they need it.
Have you looked at the OARDC's ( www.oardc.org.edu ) web site? they might have a lot of the information you are seeking. Every year is going to have different statistics, too and if they have this kind of information recorded there would be several years worth of data..

This sounds like an interesting project. How do northern statistics help you there? or is this not being used for where you are? Our environmental influence would be very different from yours. What about a soil moisture monitor/sensor? that is automated for coming on and turning off according to the sensor? But an ebb and flow system sounds the easiest to work with.

Carolyn I figure since the seeds will be started in the house there wouldn't be that much difference in growing conditions.

I do know some guys at work that start tomatoes from seeds, they are my age and real pros.
One is one week off from my schedule and he is one of the best.

An idea would be to sprout and grow the seedlings at work and hand carry them back on the plane.
That way the most crucial period of growing would be monitored by a person.
That will still leave me with one week without human care.
I need to find another person to take up the slack for that one week.

I could start the seeds about 4 or 5 days from going to work carry them to work let them stay up there and go home .
Come back to work stay for 2 weeks and carry them home.
Once at home I would then need the automated system to care for them while I am gone.
That would be a little over 6 weeks from seed plant to transplant or i could squeeze it to 4 weeks if I started them up there.

If they were started in some custom made starting trays I could get away with about 50 cells or plants.
They would make quite the conversation piece on the plane.

Worth

kurt · February 17, 2015

I in the recent past put in a complete wireless camera system hooked to hurricane shutters,door locks,windows etc.All of this goes thru a monitoring system with our Comcast Internet provider and I have access thru a laptop/Ipad combo.I could see a same selonoid that controls the shutters(wireless,electronic motor)controlling some switch for a mini pump(timer also).Naturally throw in a simple 12volt(two car batterys)as a back up in case of a power failure.All this could be controlled via a joystick type control remotely.

Using a aquarium pump(low voltage)some wifi cameras,drainage system and a decent lighting system you could be good to go with some of these contraptions.

http://www.amazon.com/YW-Wireless-El...rds=wifi+timer

https://www.controlanything.com/

heirloomtomaguy · February 17, 2015

Your amount of water is going to vary depending on air temperature/humidity but here is just about the simplest way to go possible.
http://youtu.be/Ffe7JfYyBFE

Just found part 2 might be better

http://youtu.be/RajhuUx4Hgg

maf · February 17, 2015

As long as the planting medium is free draining enough*, the frequency of watering with a drip syatem is not going to be a problem, just set it to water once or twice a day and forget about it. The thing you will have to pay attention to is to set the seedlings on a table or such that any excess water will drain off into a bucket or whatever. You don't want those young tomato plants sitting in water.

* By "free draining enough" I mean include plenty of perlite or alternative medium to create a porous texture that cannot be waterlogged.

clkeiper · February 17, 2015

Ah, I see. I start all in a greenhouse, not the house, and is totally different. I have high humidity one day but not the next... more sun means more heat, small cell with tiny amounts of soil and large flats with large volumes.... I see where you are coming from for smaller quantities and more uniform soil mass. You might want to consider an insulated styrofoam box (like medicine is shipped in and put a belt around it so the lid cannot be opened if the air temperature in Ak is enough to freeze the plants instantly while you are transporting them if there is any chance at all of being exposed to outside air.

There are also soil moist mats available. You wet them and set the tray on them and the water wicks up to the plant.

We were talking about the soil moist crystal elsewhere on here and I thought I would mention... I got my new bag (which were actually from a worm facility) and I put 1 teaspoon in a jar and added 1 cup of water. the crystals absorbed all the water and I now have 1 cup of "solid" water. Adding these to you mix for growing may make a huge difference in keeping them "safe". What I ordered were large sized granules and make really large globs so watch if you order them to look for small or medium sized granules.

jerryinfla · February 18, 2015

Worth -

I've already started my seedlings and since I grow mine outside and bring them in on only very cold nights my method wouldn't work for you since you're not there to monitor them. However, based on my experiences I have an input. As others have said bottom watering is the best way to go IMO -- it's the method I use. I've found that the frequency of need for water varies especially as the plants begin to mature. They usually need daily watering near planting out time and sometimes even twice a day at that point. I've found that seedlings do best when the soil dries almost completely out between waterings then gets soaked when watered. You could do that with an automated system that senses soil moisture content or weight then adds bottom water at that point. I would think that weight might work best for you if all your seedling pots are in some sort of catch tray. You could weight the catch tray containing the seedling pots when the soil in them is almost dry then set your bottom watering system so that it turns on at that point and turns off when the tray reaches the weight that thoroughly soaks the soil.

Worth1 · February 18, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryinfla

Worth -

I've already started my seedlings and since I grow mine outside and bring them in on only very cold nights my method wouldn't work for you since you're not there to monitor them. However, based on my experiences I have an input. As others have said bottom watering is the best way to go IMO -- it's the method I use. I've found that the frequency of need for water varies especially as the plants begin to mature. They usually need daily watering near planting out time and sometimes even twice a day at that point. I've found that seedlings do best when the soil dries almost completely out between waterings then gets soaked when watered. You could do that with an automated system that senses soil moisture content or weight then adds bottom water at that point. I would think that weight might work best for you if all your seedling pots are in some sort of catch tray. You could weight the catch tray containing the seedling pots when the soil in them is almost dry then set your bottom watering system so that it turns on at that point and turns off when the tray reaches the weight that thoroughly soaks the soil.

Wow I just logged back on and read this.
Jerry you are spot on as to some of the ideas I have had to do this.

Since I have had years of experience setting up and calibrating micro switches this should not be a problem for me.

My experience with moisture sensors is that are not reliable so the micro switch for weight would be a better idea.

For me to do this inside I would have to have three fail safes so I wouldn't flood my house.

My back flow preventer has three fail safes, it is insulated it has heat trace connected that comes on automatically and a mechanical drip that opens up if the water temps get below 35 F.
Works great.

One thing I will have to make is seed starting cells that aren't as flimsy as the thin plastic you buy.
Will be working on that soon.

Sometimes I cant go to sleep at night because of all of the gears cogs and wires I think about all of the time.

Thanks to everyone else for the links and input also.

Worth

jerryinfla · February 19, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

Wow I just logged back on and read this.
Jerry you are spot on as to some of the ideas I have had to do this.

Since I have had years of experience setting up and calibrating micro switches this should not be a problem for me.

My experience with moisture sensors is that are not reliable so the micro switch for weight would be a better idea.

For me to do this inside I would have to have three fail safes so I wouldn't flood my house.

My back flow preventer has three fail safes, it is insulated it has heat trace connected that comes on automatically and a mechanical drip that opens up if the water temps get below 35 F.
Works great.

One thing I will have to make is seed starting cells that aren't as flimsy as the thin plastic you buy.
Will be working on that soon.

Sometimes I cant go to sleep at night because of all of the gears cogs and wires I think about all of the time.

Thanks to everyone else for the links and input also.

Worth

Worth -

I use discarded toilet paper spindles for seed germination. I cut one tube in half, form two little pots by splitting and folding up one end of each then use coconut coir for the growing medium. After the seeds germinate I transplant the seedlings to 3" peat pots where I use potting soil for the growing medium. They are sturdy but still flexible enough to fit several of them into all sorts of catch trays plus they are excellent containers for bottom watering. At planting out time I strip the pots away which leaves a nice, undisturbed root ball. Then I shred the peat pot remnants and toss the pieces around the transplant.

charley · February 24, 2015

for what its worth if all else fails i have plenty of extra plants if you need them.i also will take care of your babys at my house if ya want

Father'sDaughter · February 26, 2015

So, while I was quick to offer help, I now realize that I'm in the DE camp and I don't believe you are. This means my data won't be of much help given that DE has different watering needs that seed starting mix. Hopefully someone else up this way will provide data for you, but if you think my info will be of any value, let me know and I'll send it along.

February 16, 2015	#16
Dutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: S.E. Wisconsin Zone 5b Posts: 1,831	Thanks, Robert (Alittlesalt)! Your post did give me the opportunity to make a point that was important and so a little clarification on my part was a good thing. No hard feelings here. Thanks again. Dutch __________________ "Discretion is the better part of valor" Charles Churchill The intuitive mind is a gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. But we have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. (paraphrased) Albert Einstein I come from a long line of sod busters, spanning back several centuries. Last edited by Dutch; February 16, 2015 at 11:08 PM. Reason: Grammer

February 16, 2015	#18
Dutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: S.E. Wisconsin Zone 5b Posts: 1,831	All is well Robert! I shouldn't jump to conclusions Post on! Dutch __________________ "Discretion is the better part of valor" Charles Churchill The intuitive mind is a gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. But we have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. (paraphrased) Albert Einstein I come from a long line of sod busters, spanning back several centuries. Last edited by Dutch; February 16, 2015 at 11:30 PM. Reason: Grammer and you gotta love spell check

February 17, 2015	#20
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,493	I in the recent past put in a complete wireless camera system hooked to hurricane shutters,door locks,windows etc.All of this goes thru a monitoring system with our Comcast Internet provider and I have access thru a laptop/Ipad combo.I could see a same selonoid that controls the shutters(wireless,electronic motor)controlling some switch for a mini pump(timer also).Naturally throw in a simple 12volt(two car batterys)as a back up in case of a power failure.All this could be controlled via a joystick type control remotely. Using a aquarium pump(low voltage)some wifi cameras,drainage system and a decent lighting system you could be good to go with some of these contraptions. http://www.amazon.com/YW-Wireless-El...rds=wifi+timer https://www.controlanything.com/ __________________ KURT Last edited by kurt; February 17, 2015 at 08:29 PM. Reason: Additinal info and source

February 17, 2015	#21
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	Your amount of water is going to vary depending on air temperature/humidity but here is just about the simplest way to go possible. http://youtu.be/Ffe7JfYyBFE Just found part 2 might be better http://youtu.be/RajhuUx4Hgg __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Last edited by heirloomtomaguy; February 17, 2015 at 04:53 PM.

February 17, 2015	#23
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	Ah, I see. I start all in a greenhouse, not the house, and is totally different. I have high humidity one day but not the next... more sun means more heat, small cell with tiny amounts of soil and large flats with large volumes.... I see where you are coming from for smaller quantities and more uniform soil mass. You might want to consider an insulated styrofoam box (like medicine is shipped in and put a belt around it so the lid cannot be opened if the air temperature in Ak is enough to freeze the plants instantly while you are transporting them if there is any chance at all of being exposed to outside air. There are also soil moist mats available. You wet them and set the tray on them and the water wicks up to the plant. We were talking about the soil moist crystal elsewhere on here and I thought I would mention... I got my new bag (which were actually from a worm facility) and I put 1 teaspoon in a jar and added 1 cup of water. the crystals absorbed all the water and I now have 1 cup of "solid" water. Adding these to you mix for growing may make a huge difference in keeping them "safe". What I ordered were large sized granules and make really large globs so watch if you order them to look for small or medium sized granules. __________________ carolyn k Last edited by clkeiper; February 18, 2015 at 07:06 AM. Reason: overnight experiment information added.

February 16, 2015	#17
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I guess, "Grow your own" might mean something other than Growing your own tomatoes and pepper plants? This thread is about that so. Dutch, your posts are gold to me - I'm sorry that my reply made you think f anything else. I take blame. I guess I should wait until this pain phase goes away some before posting again anywhere else in Tomatoville. I' never meant to cause any problems. My intent was to completely support Worth. I agree with his enthusiasm. I nod at him as a Texan. Dutch, sorry if my wording was incorrect

February 17, 2015	#22
maf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 512	As long as the planting medium is free draining enough, the frequency of watering with a drip syatem is not going to be a problem, just set it to water once or twice a day and forget about it. The thing you will have to pay attention to is to set the seedlings on a table or such that any excess water will drain off into a bucket or whatever. You don't want those young tomato plants sitting in water. By "free draining enough" I mean include plenty of perlite or alternative medium to create a porous texture that cannot be waterlogged.

February 18, 2015	#24
jerryinfla Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Central Florida Posts: 377	Worth - I've already started my seedlings and since I grow mine outside and bring them in on only very cold nights my method wouldn't work for you since you're not there to monitor them. However, based on my experiences I have an input. As others have said bottom watering is the best way to go IMO -- it's the method I use. I've found that the frequency of need for water varies especially as the plants begin to mature. They usually need daily watering near planting out time and sometimes even twice a day at that point. I've found that seedlings do best when the soil dries almost completely out between waterings then gets soaked when watered. You could do that with an automated system that senses soil moisture content or weight then adds bottom water at that point. I would think that weight might work best for you if all your seedling pots are in some sort of catch tray. You could weight the catch tray containing the seedling pots when the soil in them is almost dry then set your bottom watering system so that it turns on at that point and turns off when the tray reaches the weight that thoroughly soaks the soil. __________________ Jerry - You only get old if you're lucky.

February 24, 2015	#27
charley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: copperas cove TEXAS Posts: 637	for what its worth if all else fails i have plenty of extra plants if you need them.i also will take care of your babys at my house if ya want __________________ Great minds discuss ideas;average minds discuss events;small minds discuss people

February 26, 2015	#28
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,917	So, while I was quick to offer help, I now realize that I'm in the DE camp and I don't believe you are. This means my data won't be of much help given that DE has different watering needs that seed starting mix. Hopefully someone else up this way will provide data for you, but if you think my info will be of any value, let me know and I'll send it along.