The Kintyre Forum

I was chatting to one of the neighbours who has recently taken up gardening as a hobby - surprising really when you consider the neighbour hasn't a garden. He therefore grows indoors.
We discussed the difficulties of growing indoor plants. A subject I'm ashamed to say I no virtually nothing about.
The person concerned described- how some growers prefer an holistic approach to growing -as opposed to one, directly based on chemical supplement. Apparently the ph level is much more important in organic soil gardens than in chemical hydroponic gardens.
He stated that precise control of atmospheric humidity, temperature, ventilation, circulation, CO2 level and airborne fungal spores yields the heaviest crops.
He swore by using a variety of household objects as A better alternative to that of Chemical variety.
A layer of mashed potato sandwiched between soil. Dried banana skins and used teabags where among various items used - he explained. Wash the plants with clean tepid water on both sides of the leaves at least once a month. So on and so. Never in my wildest dream did I realise just how much goes into growing things.

My granny used to save the used tea/teabags for her plants sometimes.

Id like to plant wan on yer jaa ahahahahahahahah

ionnsaigh wrote:I was chatting to one of the neighbours who has recently taken up gardening as a hobby - surprising really when you consider the neighbour hasn't a garden. He therefore grows indoors.
We discussed the difficulties of growing indoor plants. A subject I'm ashamed to say I no virtually nothing about.
The person concerned described- how some growers prefer an holistic approach to growing -as opposed to one, directly based on chemical supplement. Apparently the ph level is much more important in organic soil gardens than in chemical hydroponic gardens.
He stated that precise control of atmospheric humidity, temperature, ventilation, circulation, CO2 level and airborne fungal spores yields the heaviest crops.
He swore by using a variety of household objects as A better alternative to that of Chemical variety.
A layer of mashed potato sandwiched between soil. Dried banana skins and used teabags where among various items used - he explained. Wash the plants with clean tepid water on both sides of the leaves at least once a month. So on and so. Never in my wildest dream did I realise just how much goes into growing things.

Ma unc used to grow em like that and right enough it must have worked as there was a sign up for years near his hoose about ''heavy plant crossing''.

I suppose you had to be there Ionns!

I'd hate to get stuck in a lift with you pair

Indoor gardening's become very popular recently.

Potting Soil.
Potting soil fresh out of the bag often fulfils all of the requirements for a growing medium. Good texture that allows good root penetration, water retention and good drainage. A stable pH around 6.0 and a minimum supply of nutrients. Premium fast draining soils with good texture that will not break down quickly are the best choice.
Potting soils found at nurseries are formulated to retain water, ( contain a wetting agent ) and air evenly, drain well and allow easy root penetration.
Organic potting soil is becoming very popular. These soils are often fortified with organic nutrients including readily available high nitrogen worm castings. Potting soils are very heavy and transportation costs tend to keep them somewhat localised. See the shop in Burns Square, as their are many good brands of high quality potting soil, ask in the shop for help in selecting one for fast growing vegetables.
Many potting soils supply seedling transplants and clones with enough food ( fertiliser ) for the first two to four weeks of growth. After that supplemental fertilization is necessary to retain rapid robust growth.
Add fine grade dolomite lime to buffer and stabilise the pH. Trace elements in fortified soil and soiless mixes can leach out and should be replenished with chelated nutrients. Organic growers often add their own blends of trace elements in mixes that contain seaweed, guanos and manures.
Do not reuse potting soil. If used for more than one crop, undesirable micro-organisms, insects and fungus start growing, nutrients are depleted, water and air retention are poor, causing compaction and poor drainage. Some growers mix their old potting soil with new potting soil to stretch their mix. Cutting corners this way most often costs them more in production than is saved in soil. Happy growing

And bright lights. Very bright lights. So they tell me...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you any idea how much i am in 1500watt bulbs every year, theres hardly any profit in it for us small independents

I found the link below to be ever so helpful


http://www.greenmanspage.com/guides/how ... juana.html

Bill noo we ken its ---------- yer livin in, nae Corby ataw ! Wi fancy rented hooses roond the country as seen in the coort pages o the blatts.

Water, the "universal solvent", provides a medium to transport nutrients necessary for plant life, and make them available for absorption by the roots. Water quality is essential to this process working at maximum potential.
The laws of physics govern plant water uptake. Applying these laws, a grower can provide precise properly balanced components to grow outstanding plants indoors.

Microscopic root hairs absorb water and nutrients in the presence of oxygen in the growing medium, and carry them up the stem to the leaves. This flow of water from the soil through the plant is called the transpiration stream.
A fraction of the water is processed and used in photosynthesis. Excessive water evaporates into the air, carrying waste products along with it, via the stomata in the leaves. This process is called transpiration. Some of the water also returns manufactured sugars and starches to the roots.

Roots support plants, absorb nutrients and provide the initial pathway into the vascular system. A close up look at a root reveals the xylem and phloem core vascular tissue that is enveloped by a cortex tissue, the layer between the
internal vascular and the external epidermal tissue. The microscopic root hairs are located on the epidermal tissue cells. These wee root hair follicles are extremely delicate and must remain moist. Root hairs must be protected from abrasions, drying out, extreme temperature fluctuations and harsh chemical concentrations. Plant health and well being is contingent upon strong healthy roots, according to my neighbour.

I heard you'd have to grow a money plant to pay the 'leccy bill.

Ionnsaigh's lecture on Botany takes me back to the Biology classes in Lab 4 of the old CGS.

Maybe his new horticultural/botanical hobby will help to take his mind off the class struggle.