My Latest Creation...

Redwood Ryan

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Hey everyone,


Today I spent the day creating this beast, a 7 foot long box. On 3 of the sides I screwed plywood. Tomorrow I'll be receiving mylar, which I'll staple to the plywood so that it doesn't flop all around. Gone is the humidity. We've still got a few more weeks of cold night temperatures, so until then, the trees will spend their time in this setup.
 

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Neli

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Looking good. Are you adding lights?
 
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Does that mean when it does warm up you are going to move them outdoors for the summer? I put mine out already, but the temperature is a little more regulated here right next to the Potomac river. 8c lows are pushing it a little, but I enjoy working outside much more and so do the plants.

Nice handywork, and I'm sure there will be tons of lights involved soon. I would like to get a similar setup going for next year in my shed, the one difference is that I would need a thermostat and some sort of heat source. I tried one heat cable in some turface but it overheated and melted out in short order.
 

Vance Wood

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Hey everyone,


Today I spent the day creating this beast, a 7 foot long box. On 3 of the sides I screwed plywood. Tomorrow I'll be receiving mylar, which I'll staple to the plywood so that it doesn't flop all around. Gone is the humidity. We've still got a few more weeks of cold night temperatures, so until then, the trees will spend their time in this setup.

Everybody seems to know what you are doing and, though running the risk of making myself out to be the idiot some consider me to be, I have to ask----What are you doing? The beginning of this post does not seem to indicate what this project is about and, I am sorry, I don't remember a previous post where something like this was discussed.
 
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thams

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I would like to get a similar setup going for next year in my shed, the one difference is that I would need a thermostat and some sort of heat source. I tried one heat cable in some turface but it overheated and melted out in short order.

I think it depends upon your setup. The grow tent that I have with two 4-bulb T5 fixtures produce enough heat that another heat source isn't needed. In fact, the opposite is my problem. They produce so much heat that I have two fans going to circulate the air and keep the plants cooler. With the fans running the setup sits at about 90 degrees. Without the fans the enclosure peaks at about 100 degrees.

Sorry to interject, just thought I would share my experiences.
 

Redwood Ryan

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Looking good. Are you adding lights?

I will today. I had ordered replacement bulbs to replace the ones that I've got and they have arrived, so I'm putting them in and setting up my lights.

Does that mean when it does warm up you are going to move them outdoors for the summer? I put mine out already, but the temperature is a little more regulated here right next to the Potomac river. 8c lows are pushing it a little, but I enjoy working outside much more and so do the plants.

Nice handywork, and I'm sure there will be tons of lights involved soon. I would like to get a similar setup going for next year in my shed, the one difference is that I would need a thermostat and some sort of heat source. I tried one heat cable in some turface but it overheated and melted out in short order.

I do plan on moving them outdoors in the summer. It's so much easier keeping them outdoors, and it saves on the electric bill. I'm surprised that you're able to move them outdoors already, and a little bit jealous.

Everybody seems to know what you are doing and, though running the risk of making myself out to be the idiot some consider me to be, I have to ask----What are you doing? The beginning of this post does not seem to indicate what this project is about and, I am sorry, I don't remember a previous post where something like this was discussed.

It's just another setup for my tropicals ;). I've got dozens of threads here about my various setups, and this one is just another addition.
 

GrimLore

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When you noted the size my first thought was "why is he making a casket?" But I did understand what you were really doing. Looking forward to more pictures.

Grimmy
 

Redwood Ryan

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It is a bit long, but that's because I've got far too many trees ;)

Basically my intent is to surround this frame with mylar, which will reflect the light back onto the trees. I jumped the gun with anticipation and was hoping you all knew what I was doing, but clearly I was thinking in the wrong :p
 

edprocoat

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It is a bit long, but that's because I've got far too many trees ;)

Basically my intent is to surround this frame with mylar, which will reflect the light back onto the trees. I jumped the gun with anticipation and was hoping you all knew what I was doing, but clearly I was thinking in the wrong :p

My condolences !

Who are you burying ? ;)

I figured it was a box as that is what you do .... This is a nice big one, will you disassemble it for the summer and use it again come winter ?

ed
 

Redwood Ryan

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My condolences !

Who are you burying ? ;)

I figured it was a box as that is what you do .... This is a nice big one, will you disassemble it for the summer and use it again come winter ?

ed


LOL Ed ;)


I may or may not disassemble it over the summer. Depending on how the trees grow in it for these last few weeks of cold. I may tweak it and revise it, then tear it down and rebuild for the next half year of cold.
 

edprocoat

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I always have to disassemble mine, they take up too much room. I made mine in framed panels and used drywall screws to assemble it. Its easy to take apart and store and takes up a lot less room.

ed
 

Redwood Ryan

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Oops, never updated this. Here are some pictures from a couple weeks ago. It's now warm enough, however, for me to move all the trees outdoors. I'll do that tonight.
 

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thams

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Any updated pictures of your trees? I'm curious to see how the monster ficus is developing. :cool:
 

Redwood Ryan

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Any updated pictures of your trees? I'm curious to see how the monster ficus is developing. :cool:

That one has hardly developed. It was slowed tremendously in terms of growth when placed in the 100% pumice, and is just now starting to bounce back. I plan on putting all the trees outside today in hopes that they start to really recover.
 

KennedyMarx

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Have you changed how you've been fertilizing after it was repotted into 100% pumice?
 

Redwood Ryan

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Have you changed how you've been fertilizing after it was repotted into 100% pumice?


I did begin fertilizing more, but it didn't cut it. The roots grew a ton, but otherwise, not much elsewhere.
 

Redwood Ryan

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So I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth it to put the trees back in this in the next winter. It's got to be crawling with spider mites. They're next to impossible to get rid of once established. Maybe I'll just get the trees healthy during this summer, sell most of them, then keep the others in a different room in front of a window...
 

Vance Wood

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So I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth it to put the trees back in this in the next winter. It's got to be crawling with spider mites. They're next to impossible to get rid of once established. Maybe I'll just get the trees healthy during this summer, sell most of them, then keep the others in a different room in front of a window...

I would spray the entire growing area down with Malathion and Neem oil in copious amounts. The reason this has become a problem is because you introduced them in the fall with the infected trees you put in the shelter.
 

Neli

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Remember you can also carry spiders on your clothing and infect other trees.
 

Redwood Ryan

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I've decided I'm going to take soap and water, plus a handheld steamer and attack this room.
 
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