Jerry
What size containers are you running? Are they SmartPots or another of the auto-pruning containers vs. conventional nursery pots?
It's the size that really matters - the questions about the pot have to do with configuring the system.
CC
Worm bin concepts
- Thread starter Thread starter Seandawg
- Start date Start date
What size containers are you running? Are they SmartPots or another of the auto-pruning containers vs. conventional nursery pots?
It's the size that really matters - the questions about the pot have to do with configuring the system.
CC
This thread is a long-running one on Tropf Blumat by the poster Sunnydog.
A ton of good information and insights from other growers on how they are using this technology. Much better info than you would get from the manufacturer.
Not even close
CC
A ton of good information and insights from other growers on how they are using this technology. Much better info than you would get from the manufacturer.
Not even close
CC
I use sub irrigation. 3 gallon grow bags sit in a rubbermaid under bed storage container. I fill the rubbermaid with a half gallon a day for 3 plants.
I am thinking about doing an ebb and flow design to automate watering, as it seems to work really well for living soil if you get the perched water table right.
I am thinking about doing an ebb and flow design to automate watering, as it seems to work really well for living soil if you get the perched water table right.
You know, that was a pretty major issue when i first saw the initial sip designs.
I worried about the anaerobic conditions of the rez, as well as my soil getting enough air with a plastic "mulch" over the top. In fact i was pretty damn fearful really. Hesitantly though i tried it.
The first week or two its best to just water from the top. And let the extra water that drains through to be wicked back up as needed. After the plant gets going, she can suck up water pretty quickly and dry out the rez pretty quick!
The anaerobic conditions of the rez water im sure can potentially be problematic, but luckily they're not.
In all reality my #1 choice would have been a huge size smart pot to turn my flowering box into a giant no-til garden. But i cant find any smart pots larger than #15 locally. And they also dried out extremely fast on me which honestly became kind of an issue for me for a while.
Im sure for there must be better ways to keep my soil adequately hydrated (blumats?) but this was a quick, cheap no-til option for me. So, im happy
J
Id say the basket is about the size of a common #2 pot or so. Its perfect for me to pull out and drop in new plants at the beginning of flowering. But the bucket it's self is a common 5gal bucket (extras from work
). So it still has some good space for the roots to stretch into. So far i havent experienced any negative effects. I have noticed however a significant growth increase from the sip planters to the regular large sized pots i've been using. Because the plant always has consistent hydration the plant can respond accordingly i assume.Ebb and flow organic?!?
Like an aquaponic? Im not quite sure i understand. Interesting though. Please... Go on!
Sean
When the Tropf Blumats are set-up correctly and dialed-in they work flawlessly. It isn't a huge issue getting things working correctly.
They're a bit pricey - 12 plug kit runs around $72.00 or something close. This kit gives you all of the tubing, connectors, etc. to make things easy. You only need a pair of scissors - pretty hi-tech, eh?
Avoid Blutmat Jr. for any long-term set-up. They're 'okay' for a days but are a PITA to work with.
YMMV
CC
When the Tropf Blumats are set-up correctly and dialed-in they work flawlessly. It isn't a huge issue getting things working correctly.
They're a bit pricey - 12 plug kit runs around $72.00 or something close. This kit gives you all of the tubing, connectors, etc. to make things easy. You only need a pair of scissors - pretty hi-tech, eh?
Avoid Blutmat Jr. for any long-term set-up. They're 'okay' for a days but are a PITA to work with.
YMMV
CC
For $72 dollars that actually sounds pretty reasonable priced. I'll look into it further. Thanks again CC. You always have the right answers!
Sean
There are a lot of suggestions so you can review other's comments but I found that using 3 emitters in each #10 SmartPot worked the best - set at 12, 4 and 8 like on a clock face.
Again - lots of suggestions at Sunnydog's thread.
CC
There are a lot of suggestions so you can review other's comments but I found that using 3 emitters in each #10 SmartPot worked the best - set at 12, 4 and 8 like on a clock face.
Again - lots of suggestions at Sunnydog's thread.
CC
M
MrSterling
Hey CC, Blue Ridge that you suggested seems to be out of worms. Do you have any other suggested vendors? I'd like to introduce some European nightcrawlers into my bin.
J
jerry111165
Sorry, I'm just getting out of work. They are approximately 12 gallon heavy duty black nursery "tree" containers. Thanks for the link - I'll be sure to take a peek at it as soon as I get a moment.
J
J
jerry111165
Check Craigslist locally first. I found mine locally for half the price that any of the online vendors wanted, no shipping charges and no stress on the worms getting tossed around in the back of a UPS truck.
It's definitely worth looking.
J
Good advice - though it's usually easier to source the Red Wigglers.
Here a link for Euro's (and others) and when you order a 'pound' of worms - that's what you get. Not a 'pound' of bedding run with some worms in there or like many sites selling you worms by the 'worm count' or something equally suspicious. With NWRedworms, the worms are separated from the bedding (by hand), weighed and then packed for shipping.
Blue Ridge is probably a better source for cocoons vs. worms or that's been my experience. The cocoons he sells are top-of-the-line. If you have patience to get things up and running this is the least expensive way to go.
HTH
CC
M
MrSterling
I must have been doing something wrong, most of my worms seem to either be dead, or gone, and I'm not quite sure. It might be crawled away, as I saw them crawling up the sides of the containers right after I'd spray, but I always pushed them back down into the bin. I'm wondering if a bunch could have crawled out and away to die under furniture while I slept. I'm also wondering if maybe my bin has just been too dry. I'm running out of a simple one tupperware container, no aeration/drainage holes in the bottom, but I haven't had any liquid collecting in the bottom. All-in-all a huge mess, and I think it's time I start working on a worm bin today. I'm not willing to pay $50 for plans though I don't think.
SmartPots - instant worm bin
M
MrSterling
I saw that suggestion further up and was wondering. Local garden center sells a different brand, but seems exactly the same. Five gallon containers are like $3.
MrSterling
They're all made from post-consumer plastics. For this use any brand is fine.
Plus you won't have to spend hours drilling f*cking holes in Rubbermaid bins - LOL
They're all made from post-consumer plastics. For this use any brand is fine.
Plus you won't have to spend hours drilling f*cking holes in Rubbermaid bins - LOL
RanchoDeluxe
Member
Earlier in this thread someone posted up pics of a wooden worm bin. Did you use anything to prevent the wood from rotting?
Linseed oil?
If not, I wonder how long it would last? Thinking of building one out of some old pallets.
Oh...was thinking of "painting" the inside with a lime whitewash.
Linseed oil?
If not, I wonder how long it would last? Thinking of building one out of some old pallets.
Oh...was thinking of "painting" the inside with a lime whitewash.
Rancho
RedWormComposting.com can dial you in. The archives are an amazing resource.
My large bin (30 c.f.) is painted with a food-safe paint - acrylic? I'll find out for sure - I'm not a DIY guy.
Outsource, baby! LOL
I'll get back to you.....
CC
RedWormComposting.com can dial you in. The archives are an amazing resource.
My large bin (30 c.f.) is painted with a food-safe paint - acrylic? I'll find out for sure - I'm not a DIY guy.
Outsource, baby! LOL
I'll get back to you.....
CC
Thanks! That's what I recall from the construction plans after reading your post.....
