"The Ranger" wrote in message
...
OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote in message
news [snip]
If you have a guide book with a tried and true method,
what are you worried about???
[snip]

I believe he did in the OP. Something about experiencing problems
still...

Anyhow, there won't be any issues with using the Styrofoam cups or
having them biodegrade. The "collar" will allow you to maximize the
water while minimizing the effort (of control of weeds, rot, et al.).
The stepped system is already in place so now you should be looking to
figuring out why rot is taking place. A soil virus, maybe?

The Ranger



Could be any number of things. The "soil" is actually a mixture of 1/3
vermiculite, 1/3 composted cow manure and 1/3 spanghum peat moss.


--
J.C.

J.C. wrote in message
...
"The Ranger" wrote in message
...
The stepped system is already in place so now you should
be looking to figuring out why rot is taking place. A soil
virus, maybe?

Could be any number of things. The "soil" is actually a mixture
of 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 composted cow manure and 1/3
spanghum peat moss.

That seems awful high in acid... My best guess would be the manure;
might not have composted enough. I burned up some pumpkin and zuke
seedlings once by using steer manure that had lost that ripe smell but
wasn't ready for prime time.

1/3 vermiculite also seems just a might excessive. Do you need that much
drainage?

The Ranger

"The Ranger" wrote in message
...
J.C. wrote in message
...
"The Ranger" wrote in message
...
The stepped system is already in place so now you should
be looking to figuring out why rot is taking place. A soil
virus, maybe?

Could be any number of things. The "soil" is actually a mixture
of 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 composted cow manure and 1/3
spanghum peat moss.

That seems awful high in acid... My best guess would be the manure;
might not have composted enough. I burned up some pumpkin and zuke
seedlings once by using steer manure that had lost that ripe smell but
wasn't ready for prime time.

1/3 vermiculite also seems just a might excessive. Do you need that much
drainage?

Supposedly it is for absorbing and holding moisture. The bottom of the boxes
are covered with that dark shading type material.


--
J.C.


The Ranger