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Indoor gardening questions
Unfortunately, I am an apartment dweller and am forced to garden inside.
I'm using a plastic covered greenhouse for growing tomatoes and peppers (among a few other house plants). I've got the humidity quite high, but this seems to be working because the plants are doing well and starting to fruit. However, dead leaves turn into instant mold problems when they hit the soil. I've just sprayed the soil with some 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. Was this a good choice? It's pretty harmless and I know that it works for mold control when you're growing mushrooms. Also, I'd like to garden all through the winter and was contemplating using a small pail and a fish tank heater to keep the temperature up in the greenhouse (it's right by a drafty window). Final question: Other than a high pressure sodium or a metal halide light, is there anything else that would actually make a difference to my plants indoors. I've heard that the grow lights you buy at the hardware store are pretty much useless as most of their output is in the wrong spectrum. What about the light from the top of an aquarium? Would it work? |
#2
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Indoor gardening questions
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 14:33:37 -0500, "Mook23"
wrote: Unfortunately, I am an apartment dweller and am forced to garden inside. I'm using a plastic covered greenhouse for growing tomatoes and peppers (among a few other house plants). I've got the humidity quite high, but this seems to be working because the plants are doing well and starting to fruit. However, dead leaves turn into instant mold problems when they hit the soil. I've just sprayed the soil with some 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. Was this a good choice? It's pretty harmless and I know that it works for mold control when you're growing mushrooms. Also, I'd like to garden all through the winter and was contemplating using a small pail and a fish tank heater to keep the temperature up in the greenhouse (it's right by a drafty window). Final question: Other than a high pressure sodium or a metal halide light, is there anything else that would actually make a difference to my plants indoors. I've heard that the grow lights you buy at the hardware store are pretty much useless as most of their output is in the wrong spectrum. What about the light from the top of an aquarium? Would it work? I've tried indoor vegetable and herb gardening a long time ago. The main problem is getting enough sunlight, and without that the flavor is not so good. Sodium vapor lights might work, but the cost is prohibitive compared to the yields. You will need some kind of ventilation too. African violets grow exceptionally well under fluorescent lighting. |
#3
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Indoor gardening questions
I've got the humidity quite high
The optimum humidity is 50-60%. You do not want it too high or you will have problems with fungi (ie mold). I've just sprayed the soil with some 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. The best safe treatment for fungal infections indoors is bordeaux mix (aka copper sulfate). If you have fungi in the soil, you are probably overwatering and have humidity too high. Buy a moisture meter that tells you when to water ($10 at walmart). Also keep a fan on the plants to bring in fresh air and keep humidity down. other than a high pressure sodium or a metal halide light, is there anything else that would actually make a difference to my plants indoors Just normal fluorescent lights will work. You don't need the special "plant" bulbs, but you will need lots of fluorescents to do the job of one HID. If you want to use fluorescents, buy a 48" fixture with electronic ballast that is made for T8 tubes. This will use less electricity with same light output. The good thing about fluorescents is that you can suspend them very close to the plants without burning. It might be better in the long run just to buy an HID. Also the HID should produce enough heat to keep your plants warm in the winter. Or just use a small space heater. Put some plastic sheeting down under the garden to help with cleaning and to help keep insects under control. Spraying the plants with water every morning will help to keep mites under control. If you do have an insect breakout, you can control them with neem oil. |
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