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#46
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 23:06:42 -0600, Susan Erickson wrote:
On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 19:46:41 GMT, "K Barrett" wrote: I've been using a large tub used to mix small batches of concrete for a potting tub. Holds a lot of medium. Also makes a nice tray to cart potting materials around in. (Stakes, bark mix, wires, pots, cutters, torch - you know... all the "stuff") I used to put this stuff in a kitty litter pan, but it just wasn't large enough. K Barrett A second "cement tub" makes a great waste basket. Unpot over it. Dump all the old mix in, now you can cart it away at the end of the day. Unless your one who uses "used orchid bark" for ground cover mulch. In which case you only need the waste basket to help you move the new "mulch" to the correct area of the garden. I used to have a potting bench that used these tubs for drawers. Top one was for the waste basket - the bench had a stuff hole so you could wipe everything in to like a cook does with the vegetable scraps. Second drawer was the current mix. Third was the mounts that were waiting for a new plant. It gave way to 3 shelves of Paphs.... So now the mix is in Cat litter buckets. One for moss, one for peanuts (bottom of the pots or slatted basket fill), sponge rock, CHC (2 sizes) Charcoal,.. [Several years of cats and a saving style - what can I say.] The handle makes it easy to move. Reasonable to use in a tight area. Of course there are the big keepers else where. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php Good stuff Sue, Another good container for waste is one of those large kitchen trash bins with the step on peddle that opens the lid. I also liked your idea of using newspaper?(I think you mentioned this to me at one time)?? Cheers Wendy (Wondering when this post is going to drop off??) |
#47
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 07:44:05 -0700, Wendy wrote:
Good stuff Sue, Another good container for waste is one of those large kitchen trash bins with the step on peddle that opens the lid. I also liked your idea of using newspaper?(I think you mentioned this to me at one time)?? Cheers Wendy (Wondering when this post is going to drop off??) Yes, just remember to open the papers and flatten from the middle of each section. It makes it easy to clean the bench between plants. Just grab the 4 corners (1 or 2 sheets) and you can haul away the litter. The next layer of paper is clean and ready for you to pot up the plant. Any spillage can be picked up and reused - this is after all a clean surface. When your done and all spillage is recovered. You can unpot on this sheet and take the trash and used sheet away. That way you are always making divisions and potting up on a clean surface. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php |
#48
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
I havent give this a try yet , but a friend mentioned to me about saving
old cattleya potting media , re-sterilizing it and using in paph mix...Hmmmm I reuse Aliflor and the rock I use for Catts, after an overnight chlorine soak and then a thorough rinse. Bark or CHC, when they come out of the old pot, are basically shot. The mulch suggestions are good ones. Diana |
#49
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
I havent give this a try yet , but a friend mentioned to me about saving
old cattleya potting media , re-sterilizing it and using in paph mix...Hmmmm I reuse Aliflor and the rock I use for Catts, after an overnight chlorine soak and then a thorough rinse. Bark or CHC, when they come out of the old pot, are basically shot. The mulch suggestions are good ones. Diana |
#50
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
Have you ever broken a tag trying to shove it back in the pot?
Well if you slide the tag in at an angle it goes in nicely, even passes the ridge on some pots. Cheers Wendy (Still wondering how long this thread will stay?) On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 16:57:50 -0700, wendy7 wrote: For example, when I am potting, I use an old lazy susan. I put it in a wide flat bowl which catches any spillage & is clean enough to use. |
#51
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 16:57:50 -0700, "wendy7"
wrote: For example, when I am potting, I use an old lazy susan. I put it in a wide flat bowl which catches any spillage & is clean enough to use. Your suggestion up here brought another to mind. I keep several spray bottles in the gh. One is water, one physan, one alcohol and sometimes one for Orthene, lately it has been Ray's Shine product instead. When I see a problem I can grab the appropriate bottle. If I have any worry about the cure - I can rinse with water. I also have a bottle of cinnamon powder. I repot with kitchen rubber gloves on - too many slivers from potting mix. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php |
#52
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
I have a small stock of clear pots of varying sizes. Whenever I have a
plant with a root problem, and any time I change the mix or potting method for a type of orchid, I put a few of them into clear pots to keep an eye on the roots and monitor moisture levels. I find it very helpful. |
#53
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
I have a small stock of clear pots of varying sizes. Whenever I have a
plant with a root problem, and any time I change the mix or potting method for a type of orchid, I put a few of them into clear pots to keep an eye on the roots and monitor moisture levels. I find it very helpful. |
#54
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
Good ideas Tennis & Sue, keep 'em coming folks.
-- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply tennis maynard wrote: I have a small stock of clear pots of varying sizes. Whenever I have a plant with a root problem, and any time I change the mix or potting method for a type of orchid, I put a few of them into clear pots to keep an eye on the roots and monitor moisture levels. I find it very helpful. |
#55
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Washing pots? was Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
K, your query here & the dishwasher user, made me think?
We just recently replaced our old dishwasher, it still worked but the racks were rusty (put rust marks on my dishes). The cost of a new dishwasher was a little more that the cost of the new racks!!! I wish we'd kept it, could have hooked it up in my potting area (no hot water but could use bleach). I have the same "never ending cycle" You are not alone.*g* -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply K Barrett wrote: Anyone have a tip for a quick way to wash out pots? I bought a bunch of new pots 6" (or larger) for plants that had out grown their pots and wouldn't ya know it? Now I need a bunch of 3", 4" 5" etc pots for other plants to move up into. So I'm stuck washing out those old pots. I get all happy that I have a stock of nice clean pots, sit down and do some repotting then lo and behold! I got all these dang dirty pots again!! LOL!! Its a never ending cycle. I had an epiphany the other day. I came to realize that I had so dang many old dirty pots (DNODP) that I didn't have to keep any pot that was a pain in the neck to clean. I recycled any with edges that grime congregates in, and kept only ones with whatever shape was straightsided and easy to clean. So that was my only contribution to making pot cleaning easier. I tend to like the square plastic pots, only because they don't have the lip azalea pots have (and tags get stuck on). Plus you can put more on a bench. K Barrett "K Barrett" wrote in message news:B_WIc.71181$IQ4.45041@attbi_s02... I've been using a large tub used to mix small batches of concrete for a potting tub. Holds a lot of medium. Also makes a nice tray to cart potting materials around in. (Stakes, bark mix, wires, pots, cutters, torch - you know... all the "stuff") I used to put this stuff in a kitty litter pan, but it just wasn't large enough. K Barrett "Orchidguy" wrote in message . .. very good idea!!!!!!!!!! Todd "wendy7" wrote in message news:0o%Hc.312$f9.280@fed1read02... For example, when I am potting, I use an old lazy susan. I put it in a wide flat bowl which catches any spillage & is clean enough to use. -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply |
#56
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
Good ideas Tennis & Sue, keep 'em coming folks.
-- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply tennis maynard wrote: I have a small stock of clear pots of varying sizes. Whenever I have a plant with a root problem, and any time I change the mix or potting method for a type of orchid, I put a few of them into clear pots to keep an eye on the roots and monitor moisture levels. I find it very helpful. |
#57
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
In article , Susan Erickson wrote:
If you can find any telephone wire - even throw away pieces 8 or so inches are very useful. Strip the outer case and it will contain at least 4 fine wires that are plastic coated. They work well to hold something on to a mount. Hold a stem against a bamboo stake into a wire support for shipment. They can add that needed bit of tension during a show set up. But they are often striped orange and white or solid orange, not exactly blending into the background. Wiring for offices often has more wires per cable and they are wound into a "pair" set. Keep your eyes open. This is the kind of cable that is often inexactly measured and large hunks thrown out when someone picks up after an install. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php Don't overlook cabling from computer installation..... I've got some of both phone and computer wire. Both work great. Chris |
#58
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
I havent give this a try yet , but a friend mentioned to me about saving old
cattleya potting media , re-sterilizing it and using in paph mix...Hmmmm , perhaps , but I'm not so sure, and if you guys have any thoughts on this? as it sounds frugal to me maybe I'll give it a shot , and boil up some bark...hehehehe Bright days & good growing Todd "Diana Kulaga" wrote in message nk.net... You know what else works for removing roots? A plastic plant tag, preferably a fairly rigid one. Diana "wendy7" wrote in message news:bevKc.21279$9I.9316@okepread02... Good one Elinor, I may even have a palette knife in my box of oil painting goodies. It would probably be easier to buy one than find mine as it has been packed away in the attic for a score! Wondering if the palette would work on clay pots? -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply ARIET B wrote: There have been SO many good ideas here! But I hope you ALL have used this one. Go to the art store, and buy a palette knife. It is just a little thing with a VERY flexible blade. When you repot- first soak your plant in a pan/bucket(whatever is appropriate for your plant) of water for a couple hours. I have found that "overnight" is not too much, but it IS a bit scary. Then when ready to dump the plant out- use the palette knife to gently remove the roots from the pot. Works like magic- you can just slide the thing under to "stuck-on" roots, and they come right off. No home should be without one. When you tire of your orchids, you can slop artist's paints- acrylic/oil onto a palette, and then apply it to the canvas, just like Van Gogh. Elinor |
#59
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
Wendy, you've created a lovely monster!
Diana |
#60
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Let's Start a Good Idea, Tips Thread.
Wendy, you've created a lovely monster!
Diana |
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