Home | Store | Blog | Forums | FAQs | Lesson Plans | Pictures |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Also even though we are metric a lot of stuff like plumbing is exactly the same... 1 incm - 25mm. same stuff. |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Unfortunately I have sad news for these tomato plants. At this point I will be starting over with new plants in this system. I think I have spent enough time trying to save them from the brink of disaster, and it will be much faster to start them over. After re-transplanting them into the new buckets, they seem to have gotten a virus from flying aphids called a "winged pea or potato aphid." I have sense been able to get rid of the aphids but there effects linger on (stunted growth, curled and deformed leaves). I also believe the cold weather and nutrient temp (before the heating pad) has contributed to the plants immune system not being able to fight off the virus.
The system itself seems to be working perfectly and with no leaks. I have a waterproof heating pad I got from the Salvation Army thrift store for $1 that keeps the nutrients from getting to cold at night. I have some pipe insulation that I still plan to put on the P.V.C. tubing, and some flat rolled foam insulation to put around the buckets. Because tomatoes are a warm weather plant I will drape the trellis with clear plastic drop cloths, then heat the inside with small kerosene lamps/heaters at night because the night time temp here is getting into the upper 30's now. As I understand it, kerosene is a clean burning fuel that wont leave suite on everything and burns a long time. P.S. The metal screen around the plants are just there to keep the rabbits from eating the plants. Last edited by GpsFrontier; 12-17-2009 at 06:37 PM. |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
Gutting - It sucks when so much work doesn't go smoothly.
I had a problem with aphids on my tomatoes. Initially I used natural based insecticide (white oil) to control but they kept coming back. Then I used a chemical pesticide. This killed them all on the tomatoes but they just moved to other plant (chili in particular). I was recommended to plant a basil plant in each pot with a tomato. This will make the tomato grow better and the aphids don't like the smell. Its reduced the numbers dramatically. Quote:
I would be more tempted to look at heat lamps or electrical heating before burning something. Good luck. |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Quote:
I am unsure as to how much fuel is left in the kerosene heaters for the Catalytic Converters to react to. Although Catalytic Converters are not something you can build, and are too expensive (at least for autos) to use in a homemade burner. The smallest kerosene heaters I have found so far are 10,000 BTU's and run about $100. That's odd because the 40,000 BTU heater at Home Depot was $129.99, I'll bet that's because of the Catalytic Converter though. 10,000 BTU's is still way to much for my needs. I'm looking into other fuels also like lamp oil. Though so far I am not sure what the differences are. Here is a statement I have found on the subject: "Lamp oil is a liquid petroleum product that is designed to burn cleanly in brass and glass oil lamps, torches and lanterns. In the same family as kerosene, lamp oil has been further processed and refined so that it doesn't produce as much harmful smoke, soot and other pollutants. Lamp oil can be used for everything from emergency indoor lighting during a blackout to soothing lamp light for a summer evening's barbecue." I will also look into what the farming industry uses in orchards when the threat of frost is near, although I am pretty sure they use the kerosene heaters. I am also looking into using Propane. I know Propane burns clean by itself and may be a really good option. Quote:
There are too many variables for me to get into exactly how I will create the heaters until their done. I can tell you that they will be made fireproof. Also designed so they cant be knocked over by wind or something the wind knocks onto it. They will be wind proof, so the heavy winds wont be able to blow it out. They will also be directional, aiming the heat upward and allowing fresh air in without letting it be blown out. At the same time being defused to spread the heat out so it wont burn the plants as the warm air rises. They don't need to be big, basally nothing more than something the size of a few Tiki Torches is needed. The plastic sheets will never be able to get close enough to even melt much less burn. They will also roll up and out of the way during the day. |
Bookmarks |
|
|