oldfellainspain
Well-Known Member
I'm going to start a second grow this year, taking into account the latest suggestions from Knucklehead and Deluxestogie.
I've been experimenting with a white bedsheet, and I'm pretty sure that the combination of a large, white painted panel and a kiddie pool that's movable will get a lot more sunlight to the plants.
I've just ordered KY17 Burley and Spectrum Bright Leaf from Northwood Seeds which should get here in 7-10 days. (Thanks for the links earlier in this thread.)
Germinating, thinning and growing the seedlings went well in the first attempt this year, my problems started once they were transplanted into bags. I used 1 gallon polythene bags sitting on a tiled floor. This time I will use 3 gallon non woven bags in a kiddie pool.
I also made a massive mistake with the growing medium. I just guessed what to use. Clay soil from a friend's garden, cheapest potting soil and drainage sand, equal quantities in the mix. The clay is causing so many problems. It's very easy to get either, water-logged or dried into a solid brick. The polythene sacks don't help. New root growth is virtually non existent. For this second grow I’m thinking of a good quality soilless potting mix and rabbit poop compost.
I have a never ending supply of rabbit hutch litter and have started a compost bin. Poop, compressed sawdust pellets (mostly urine soaked that turn into wet sawdust) and a mixture of wet and dry hay. I’m adding some vegetable peelings and tea bags as well. Is hay that's damp with urine classed as carbon or nitrogen for compost? I also have a never ending source of used coffee grounds, but not too sure about using them.
This first grow, the growing medium pH is high at about 7-7.5. I think this is mainly down to the clay. I’m hoping that the medium I’m thinking of using for this second grow will take care of that problem.
The chlorine level in the tap water here isn't high, but to be on the safe side I'll leave it in buckets for 48 hours before using it.
As usual, any advice, tips, etc. very much appreciated.
I've been experimenting with a white bedsheet, and I'm pretty sure that the combination of a large, white painted panel and a kiddie pool that's movable will get a lot more sunlight to the plants.
I've just ordered KY17 Burley and Spectrum Bright Leaf from Northwood Seeds which should get here in 7-10 days. (Thanks for the links earlier in this thread.)
Germinating, thinning and growing the seedlings went well in the first attempt this year, my problems started once they were transplanted into bags. I used 1 gallon polythene bags sitting on a tiled floor. This time I will use 3 gallon non woven bags in a kiddie pool.
I also made a massive mistake with the growing medium. I just guessed what to use. Clay soil from a friend's garden, cheapest potting soil and drainage sand, equal quantities in the mix. The clay is causing so many problems. It's very easy to get either, water-logged or dried into a solid brick. The polythene sacks don't help. New root growth is virtually non existent. For this second grow I’m thinking of a good quality soilless potting mix and rabbit poop compost.
I have a never ending supply of rabbit hutch litter and have started a compost bin. Poop, compressed sawdust pellets (mostly urine soaked that turn into wet sawdust) and a mixture of wet and dry hay. I’m adding some vegetable peelings and tea bags as well. Is hay that's damp with urine classed as carbon or nitrogen for compost? I also have a never ending source of used coffee grounds, but not too sure about using them.
This first grow, the growing medium pH is high at about 7-7.5. I think this is mainly down to the clay. I’m hoping that the medium I’m thinking of using for this second grow will take care of that problem.
The chlorine level in the tap water here isn't high, but to be on the safe side I'll leave it in buckets for 48 hours before using it.
As usual, any advice, tips, etc. very much appreciated.
