Dixie Chicks

[vehve]

Oh, sorry, solar powered pump.

I'm not completely familiar with thermal motion and fluid mechanics, but heat tends to rise, and having the heat source up in the air wouldn't be that effective. So I think it would require a small pump to circulate the water. I think the air system might actually be more effective. You could also have thin, flat, black containers near the roof that collect solar heat, then run it through a compost that sits outside the greenhouse, and then into the ground, all using a small pump powered by a solar panel. You don't want to compost inside the greenhouse, because the accumulating gases would really not be healthy for you.

 

[hennible]

Thanks Felix
I enjoy picking your brain.

 

[vehve]

If only someone was willing to pay me for that... I can't believe how hard it is to find a summer job. Anyone working for a software company and looking for a telecommuting tester?

 

[hennible]

Nope
And I'm not willing pay you for your input either

 

[vehve]

Didn't think so

 

[hennible]

I'll send you more seeds in the fall...
How about some white tomatoes?

 

[vehve]

How do they taste? White tomatoes sound like they might be pretty watery.

 

[Beer can]

Haha, yeah.

So, to direct the discussion towards gardening again, since I can't plant anything outside yet, I keep thinking of different ways to plant whatever I'm growing inside now. Has anyone tried planting tomatoes in a upside down hanging planter? I've been thinking of also trying that this year, possibly with some kind of self watering container built in. Also, has anyone made capillary mats out of some household items? How does fleece fabric work?

I did upside down one's for tomatoes a few years ago, my biggest problem was drying out. I used Burgess trip-L-crop climbing tomatoes. I only had good luck once with them planted in the ground. They grow like six feet tall or more and have huge heirloom looking tomatoes with few seeds and very meaty and juicy. Awesome sliced on a sandwich and canned cause they are so meaty. Only had them produce good once though, long growing season and we don't have that.
So I thought I'd try them upside down. Used five gallon buckets with a hole cut in each side towards the bottom, planted one on each side and used coconut fiber replacement mat for coconut fiber pots. Just cut a x in each to put the plant through, held the dirt in good. Put the pieces of mat in before filling with soil. I hung four buckets, eight plants, from the kids old swingset. I should have put the holes up higher, water run right out, would take awhile to get the soil moist. I think it would work good if a watering system was added, maybe on top, something like those glass waterers like they sell for flower pots, but something that would hold a gallon and fit under the bucket handle and be easily refilled. I might have to try it again!!

 

[vehve]

I was thinking of placing some sort of bowl on top, with capillary mat in it to wick moisture to the soil. In this pic, the yellow would be a capillary mat, the rest should be pretty self explanatory.

 

[hennible]

All I know is you can't draw...
Jk
First year with the white tomatoes no clue if there good. That looks like a smart watering system, especially if it's coverd to reduce evaporation from the bowl...