Gardening: (2016– )

[dcarch]

40 minutes ago, KennethT said:

Are these cobs dimmable?

 

All LEDs require a minimum voltage to fire. Therefore no LEDs can be dimmed like incandescent bulbs.

That said, COB LEDs can be dimmed to some degree. down to 30%? Not sure.

 

dcarch

[KennethT]

1 hour ago, dcarch said:

 

All LEDs require a minimum voltage to fire. Therefore no LEDs can be dimmed like incandescent bulbs.

That said, COB LEDs can be dimmed to some degree. down to 30%? Not sure.

 

dcarch

Not necessarily. It depends on the driver. I can dim my Fluence light down to 10% or maybe lower (I haven't tried less than 10%).

 

ETA: LEDs brightness is actually dependent on the current flowing through it, not the voltage across it.  The voltage drop across the LED is pretty constant (and you're right, there is a minimum voltage below which it won't turn on), but the driver varies the brightness by shoving different amounts of current through it, not varying the voltage across it.

Edited April 8, 2019 by KennethT (log)

[dcarch]

1 hour ago, KennethT said:

Not necessarily. It depends on the driver. I can dim my Fluence light down to 10% or maybe lower (I haven't tried less than 10%).

 

ETA: LEDs brightness is actually dependent on the current flowing through it, not the voltage across it.  The voltage drop across the LED is pretty constant (and you're right, there is a minimum voltage below which it won't turn on), but the driver varies the brightness by shoving different amounts of current through it, not varying the voltage across it.

 

 

Isn't it also true that the amount of current that can go thru a device will also be dependent on the R value, as well as voltage? You can take a 12v LED (or any light bulb for that matter) and hook it up to a 1000 amp 12v battery without burning out the LED. Yes, you can in fact vary the brightness of any bulb type by varying the currant at constant voltage using a PWM circuit design. That's one of the reasons why many LEDs flicker. 

 

dcarch

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JoNorvelleWalker]

If I wanted to safely sanitize the soil capsules for my Click & Grow, is there a way to do it?

 

[KennethT]

1 hour ago, dcarch said:

 

Isn't it also true that the amount of current that can go thru a device will also be dependent on the R value, as well as voltage? You can take a 12v LED (or any light bulb for that matter) and hook it up to a 1000 amp 12v battery without burning out the LED. Yes, you can in fact vary the brightness of any bulb type by varying the currant at constant voltage using a PWM circuit design. That's one of the reasons why many LEDs flicker. 

 

dcarch

LEDs have a series resistance, but it's usually pretty negligible compared with other resistances in the circuit. You can find the internal resistance of an LED on the spec sheet.  You control how much current you drive through the LED by using an external resistor sized appropriately for the voltage applied across the series combination.  A 1000Ah battery just says what the battery is capable of delivering - but it is the load that determines how much current is drawn at any given moment.  If you put a 1 megaohm resistor across a 12V car battery, you will only draw .012 mA, but put a short across the terminals, you will draw so much current that it can weld the short to the terminals.  That's why you can safely touch both the + and - terminals of a car battery safely - body resistance is about 300ohms, so the most you would draw is 40mA which is not perceptible. So, LED drivers are basically a constant current source varying voltage across a resistance in series with the LED.  Varying the voltage across the series resistor varies the current that will flow through the LED.

 

Yes, you can dim an LED using PWM - but you shouldn't really notice any flicker as long as the switching frequency is high enough.  Most high quality LED drivers do much more than put a PWM voltage across the LED though, they are a constant current source.

[KennethT]

1 hour ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

If I wanted to safely sanitize the soil capsules for my Click & Grow, is there a way to do it?

 

I would use a solution of pure H2O2 as I described in a post above, or use a solution of a product called UC roots, which is hypochlorous acid derived from calcium hypochlorite.  But, I don't know if you really want to do that.  One of the reasons growing in soil works is because of beneficial bacteria and fungi living in the soil.  Sanitizing your soil will kill anything bad growing in it, but will also get rid of all the good, and will make it more difficult for future plants to use that soil, unless you add some compost (which is full of beneficial bacteria and fungi).

 

It might be better to use a product called Hygrozyme (or one of a bunch of similar products) which is an enzyme that breaks down cellulose.  So, a soak in that solution will do a good job of breaking down any remaining dead roots in the soil, and turn them into products that are good for future plants - plus the spaces left by the roots add aeration to the soil.  Then let it dry out which will get rid of anything anaerobic that could still be hanging around.

[JoNorvelleWalker]

While I was enjoying my evening shower I had a thought:  what about baking the soil capsules?  Or as Click & Grow calls them, Experimental Plant Pods?  There are no dead roots.  This is something close to synthetic soil formed to a frustrated cone.

 

What time/temperature destroys fungi responsible for damping off of seedlings?  Note we are talking about only a couple cubic inches of "soil".  My most recent pea seedlings were overwhelmed and destroyed by a white fungus.  As far as I can tell the pea plants turning brown was a different problem, which I believe was heat.

 

[heidih]

I am still having to endure the ugly visuals of frost damage. The recent rains have prompted lots of new growth. The citrus (orange, kuquat and tangerine) are going nuts. Walking to the mailbox is almost overwhelmingly scented The herbs are showing off. I thank Lucy

(bleudauvergne) for opening my eyes to the power of winter light when she blogged - it is powerful

[KennethT]

8 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

While I was enjoying my evening shower I had a thought:  what about baking the soil capsules?  Or as Click & Grow calls them, Experimental Plant Pods?  There are no dead roots.  This is something close to synthetic soil formed to a frustrated cone.

 

What time/temperature destroys fungi responsible for damping off of seedlings?  Note we are talking about only a couple cubic inches of "soil".  My most recent pea seedlings were overwhelmed and destroyed by a white fungus.  As far as I can tell the pea plants turning brown was a different problem, which I believe was heat.

 

I was curious, so I checked out their website...

https://support.clickandgrow.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000947227-19-How-to-get-rid-of-mold-and-algae-

 

[Martin Fisher]

General tip and FWIW,

If you're doing some sifting of soil, peat, compost or whatever for making your own mixes or whatever.

I strongly recommend the gold classifying sifters with stainless steel mesh...they come in various mesh sizes (sets are available) and fit in the top of a 5 gallon pail.

1/4 inch being the most useful size, IMO.

SE GP2-14 Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, 1/4" Mesh Screen

These are a MUCH better option than the ubiquitous bonsai sifters.

 

 

 

 

[Shelby]

I planted 21 red potatoes and 300 onion sets yesterday.  

 

300 onion sets don't sound like a lot when you're sitting in your kitchen in January ordering.  

 

It's different on April 8th when you're actually planting them. 😂

[JoNorvelleWalker]

3 hours ago, KennethT said:

I was curious, so I checked out their website...

https://support.clickandgrow.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000947227-19-How-to-get-rid-of-mold-and-algae-

 

 

Yes, I had seen that article but I didn't find it helpful.

 

[KennethT]

22 minutes ago, Shelby said:

I planted 21 red potatoes and 300 onion sets yesterday.  

 

300 onion sets don't sound like a lot when you're sitting in your kitchen in January ordering.  

 

It's different on April 8th when you're actually planting them. 😂

At that quantity, it's almost worth looking into a vacuum or vibrating seeding machine!

[Martin Fisher]

Joseph Lofthouse is a radical renegade farmer.

It doesn't get any cheaper or easier or faster than this!!!

You can probably find a free piece of PVC.

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 2019 by DiggingDogFarm (log)

[heidih]

2 hours ago, Shelby said:

I planted 21 red potatoes and 300 onion sets yesterday.  

 

300 onion sets don't sound like a lot when you're sitting in your kitchen in January ordering.  

 

It's different on April 8th when you're actually planting them. 😂

 

At the risk of being completely "corny" - that's what friends are for   

 

[chromedome]

4 hours ago, DiggingDogFarm said:

Joseph Lofthouse is a radical renegade farmer.

It doesn't get any cheaper or easier or faster than this!!!

You can probably find a free piece of PVC.

 

Nifty notion. I'd seen a couple of his seed-saving articles on the Mother Earth News website, but didn't put the pieces together until I'd Googled him.

[Martin Fisher]

1 minute ago, chromedome said:

articles on the Mother Earth News website

 

Yes, he has some good articles.

He is or was active on a little known forum that still exists.

That's how I got to know him.

He has sent me seeds in the past.

Joseph Lofthouse, Landrace Gardener

 

[Nancy in Pátzcuaro]

7 hours ago, Shelby said:

I planted 21 red potatoes and 300 onion sets yesterday.  

 

300 onion sets don't sound like a lot when you're sitting in your kitchen in January ordering.  

 

It's different on April 8th when you're actually planting them. 😂

It's also easy to plant 40 feet of bush beans in the spring, but then dealing with the resulting quantity of beans is something else. One's enthusiasm and optimism are endless but one's energy is not. I don't think I've learned that particular lesson yet.

 

I am still guilty (see above) of buying a lot of strawberries or mangos to make jam, but when I'm confronted by the task my zeal is much reduced.  In the case of mangos, they require some days to fully ripen on the counter so there's a little time to get used to the idea. But strawberries wait for no man (or woman).

 

Nancy in Pátzcuaro

 

[heidih]

4 hours ago, Nancy in Pátzcuaro said:

 But strawberries wait for no man (or woman).

Nancy in Pátzcuaro

 

 

If for jam feeezing is always a viable option    (Word Rake master would slap me - why did I say "always:)

Edited April 10, 2019 by heidih (log)

[Martin Fisher]

FWIW,

If all goes well.

Here's a list of most of what I'll be planting this year...80+ things

It seems like a lot for this smallholding microholding, but some will be just a few plants.

Good King Henry (Perennial)

Caucasian Mountain “Spinach” (Perennial)
Sea Kale (Perennial)

Turkish Rocket (Perennial)

Red Welsh Bunching Onion (Perennial) (Start Inside)

Hardy Kiwi (Perennial)

Mary Washington Asparagus (Perennial)

Common Chives (Perennial) (To Increase Stock) (Start Inside)

Common Thyme (Perennial) (To Increase Stock)

Garlic Chives (Perennial) (Start Inside) (To Increase Stock)

Evergreen Hardy Bunching Scallions (Perennial) (Start Inside)

White Spear Scallions (Perennial) (Start Inside)

Edible Common Reed (Non-Invasive Variety) (Perennial) (Bog)

Edible Cattail (Perennial) (Bog)

Edible Daylilies (Perennial) (Bog)

Watercress (Perennial)

Rosa Canina Rosehip Rose (Perennial)

Black Mulberry (Perennial)

French Patience Dock (Rumex Patienta) (Perennial)

Crimson Rhubarb (Perennial)

Korean Wild Celery (Dystaena takesimana ) (Perennial)

Common Oregano (Perennial) (To Increase Stock)

Hardy Lavender (Pseudo-Perennial)

Provider Bush Green Beans (Succession Planted) (Inoculate)
Scarlet Runner Pole Beans (Inoculate)

Haricot Tarbais Cassoulet Pole Bean (Inoculate)

Aprovecho Select Fava Bean (Inoculate)

Alderman Shell Peas (Inoculate)
Little Leaf Pickling Cucumbers
Mexican Sour Gherkin (Mouse Melon)

Claytonia Greens (Autumn Planted)

Nozaki Early Napa Cabbage (Autumn Planted)

Golden Purslane

Strawberry “Spinach” (Self-Sows Easily)

Little Gem Pearl Romaine Lettuce

Mesclun Mix

Red Orach (Self-Sows Easily)

Perpetual “Spinach” (Leaf Beet)

Red Malabar “Spinach”

New Zealand “Spinach” (Tetragonia)

Jaluv An Attitude Chile (Start Inside)
Matchbox Chile (Start Inside)

Baby Cayenne Chile (?) (Old Seed) (Start Inside)

Baby Pequin Chile (Start Inside)

Korean Kimchi Chile (Start Inside)

Stocky Red Roaster Sweet Pepper (Start Inside)

Early Jalapeno Chile (Start Inside)

Ring-O-Fire Cayenne Chile (Start Inside)

Thai Tiny Chile (Start Inside)

Rooster Spur Chile

Thai Hot Chile

Prik Kee Noo Suan (Rat’s Turd) (Thai) Chile

Thai Sun Chile

Small Wiri Wiri Chile

Grandma Brown’s Beefsteak Tomato *

* (Named After My Maternal Grandmother) (Start Inside)

Sweet Cherriette Tomato (Start Inside)

Mountain Magic Tomato (Old Seed) (Start Inside)

Matt's Wild Cherry Tomato (Start Inside)

Santa Maria Paste Tomato (Start Inside) (Old Seed)

Mexico Midget Tomato (Notorious Poor Germinator) (Old Seed)

Husky Cherry Red Tomato*

* (Two Purchased Seedlings) (Would like to cross with Matt’s Wild Cherry)

Purple Valley Hulless Barley

Streaker Hulless Oats

Sin Et Pheel Ancient Hulless Wheat (If Seed Arrives)

Hells Canyon Millet

Golden Bantam 12-Row Corn

Red's Red Sweet Syrup Sorghum

Opopeo Amaranth (7 Foot Tall Grain Amaranth)

Empress of India Nasturtiums

Otto's Brush Creek Ground Cherry *

* (Self-Sows Easily) (Startt Inside)

Cape Gooseberry (?) (Self-Sows Easily) (Start Inside)

Chinese Lantern Gigantea (Self-Sows Easily) (Start Inside)

Zloty Lan Chamomile (Self-Sows Easily)

Common Sugar Beet (Non-GMO)

Globe Basil

Common Parsley

Common Marjoram

True Garlic Seed (?) (Start Inside)

Common Alfalfa (Non-GMO)

Oxheart Carrot

[Shelby]

8 minutes ago, DiggingDogFarm said:

FWIW,

If all goes well.

Here's a list of most of what I'll be planting this year...80+ things

It seems like a lot for this smallholding microholding, but some will be just a few plants.

Good King Henry (Perennial)

Caucasian Mountain “Spinach” (Perennial)
Sea Kale (Perennial)

Turkish Rocket (Perennial)

Red Welsh Bunching Onion (Perennial) (Start Inside)

Hardy Kiwi (Perennial)

Mary Washington Asparagus (Perennial)

Common Chives (Perennial) (To Increase Stock) (Start Inside)

Common Thyme (Perennial) (To Increase Stock)

Garlic Chives (Perennial) (Start Inside) (To Increase Stock)

Evergreen Hardy Bunching Scallions (Perennial) (Start Inside)

White Spear Scallions (Perennial) (Start Inside)

Edible Common Reed (Non-Invasive Variety) (Perennial) (Bog)

Edible Cattail (Perennial) (Bog)

Edible Daylilies (Perennial) (Bog)

Watercress (Perennial)

Rosa Canina Rosehip Rose (Perennial)

Black Mulberry (Perennial)

French Patience Dock (Rumex Patienta) (Perennial)

Crimson Rhubarb (Perennial)

Korean Wild Celery (Dystaena takesimana ) (Perennial)

Common Oregano (Perennial) (To Increase Stock)

Hardy Lavender (Pseudo-Perennial)

Provider Bush Green Beans (Succession Planted) (Inoculate)
Scarlet Runner Pole Beans (Inoculate)

Haricot Tarbais Cassoulet Pole Bean (Inoculate)

Aprovecho Select Fava Bean (Inoculate)

Alderman Shell Peas (Inoculate)
Little Leaf Pickling Cucumbers
Mexican Sour Gherkin (Mouse Melon)

Claytonia Greens (Autumn Planted)

Nozaki Early Napa Cabbage (Autumn Planted)

Golden Purslane

Strawberry “Spinach” (Self-Sows Easily)

Little Gem Pearl Romaine Lettuce

Mesclun Mix

Red Orach (Self-Sows Easily)

Perpetual “Spinach” (Leaf Beet)

Red Malabar “Spinach”

New Zealand “Spinach” (Tetragonia)

Jaluv An Attitude Chile (Start Inside)
Matchbox Chile (Start Inside)

Baby Cayenne Chile (?) (Old Seed) (Start Inside)

Baby Pequin Chile (Start Inside)

Korean Kimchi Chile (Start Inside)

Stocky Red Roaster Sweet Pepper (Start Inside)

Early Jalapeno Chile (Start Inside)

Ring-O-Fire Cayenne Chile (Start Inside)

Thai Tiny Chile (Start Inside)

Rooster Spur Chile

Thai Hot Chile

Prik Kee Noo Suan (Rat’s Turd) (Thai) Chile

Thai Sun Chile

Small Wiri Wiri Chile

Grandma Brown’s Beefsteak Tomato *

* (Named After My Maternal Grandmother) (Start Inside)

Sweet Cherriette Tomato (Start Inside)

Mountain Magic Tomato (Old Seed) (Start Inside)

Matt's Wild Cherry Tomato (Start Inside)

Santa Maria Paste Tomato (Start Inside) (Old Seed)

Mexico Midget Tomato (Notorious Poor Germinator) (Old Seed)

Husky Cherry Red Tomato*

* (Two Purchased Seedlings) (Would like to cross with Matt’s Wild Cherry)

Purple Valley Hulless Barley

Streaker Hulless Oats

Sin Et Pheel Ancient Hulless Wheat (If Seed Arrives)

Hells Canyon Millet

Golden Bantam 12-Row Corn

Red's Red Sweet Syrup Sorghum

Opopeo Amaranth (7 Foot Tall Grain Amaranth)

Empress of India Nasturtiums

Otto's Brush Creek Ground Cherry *

* (Self-Sows Easily) (Startt Inside)

Cape Gooseberry (?) (Self-Sows Easily) (Start Inside)

Chinese Lantern Gigantea (Self-Sows Easily) (Start Inside)

Zloty Lan Chamomile (Self-Sows Easily)

Common Sugar Beet (Non-GMO)

Globe Basil

Common Parsley

Common Marjoram

True Garlic Seed (?) (Start Inside)

Common Alfalfa (Non-GMO)

Oxheart Carrot

WOW!

[Martin Fisher]

1,600 seeds planted tonight.Sugar beets and scallions.

[haresfur]

Managed to pot up the bullhorn pepper I planted this year and move it, the summer before's bullhorn and my curry tree under protection right before our first frost of the winter. Hope I got enough roots for the bullhorn to survive. It will be interesting to see if the one that's a year older makes it through a second winter - it's quite a tree.

 

I'll probably try some winter crops like broccoli and garlic but my luck in previous winters has been poor.

[TicTac]

Aurora peppers are about 4 inches from seed

 

Poblano the same

 

Oddly enough, NONE of the pepper seeds we saved on our own (Padron, Shisito) sprouted...

 

Tomatoes have just popped and gone under the light.

[Martin Fisher]

2 hours ago, TicTac said:

Oddly enough, NONE of the pepper seeds we saved on our own (Padron, Shisito) sprouted.

 

Were the fruits they were harvested from fully ripe?

Full ripeness is a requirement for viable chile pepper seed.