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12:00 pm
April 18, 2016
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I started in Jan-16 and using a soil mix as 30% Vermi-compost, 30% Coco-peat, 30% Soil, + Neem Cake + Bone meal + Organic manure. Having great success in seed germination too but i have lost many vine as they started to grow and suddenly stop growing. i starred with variety of seed like Cucumber, Tomato, Brinjal, Bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Water melon, Apple gourd etc. i am using 20 Liter water bottle / paint buckets as pots having drainage holes in bottom. i also added green shade on plants. Everything started well and all of sudden went wrong when the vine started to die, i tried to explore what is wrong and found the soil mix was holding too much moisture while i was giving alternate day water. i knew coco retain water but it is holding too much causing roots to suffocate.
Now changing my watering practice to to avoid watering so hoping for improvement. Now my question. it is summer and i can control on water but during monsoon all the plants are going to drown this way. How to save these.
What to add in soil to recover?
Do i need to use a fungicide to avoid damage to roots ?
How to save plants in coming monsoon?
How to check when to water ? as in the depth too much moisture is there while the top soil is OK? how to judge?
Do making hole on side wall of the pots will help as clay evaporate water forms its wall but plastic do not?
i need suggestion to have quick drying of pots.
5:24 pm
May 1, 2010
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I think your potting mix may not be fully decomposed.
When you add neem cake,bone meal and manure, it is important to let the mix sit for 15-20 days so that it decomposes and gets mixed uniformly. Most of the vines dont like waterlogging near their roots.
Please post a pic or two to help me identify the issue. Check the roots for root rot issue.
For tips on how to water, please check
https://geekgardener.in/2015/06.....-and-when/
You can add coarse material like coarse sand.
My question
1. Where is the drainage hole for the container. Is it on the sides or bottom?
2. No need to add fungicide. Get the drainage fixed and it will be fine.
5:54 pm
April 18, 2016
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Thanks for quick reply. I started in Jan-2016 so by now all must have decomposed. i will post few picture soon. Drainage hole are in bottom.
these are almost 1 CM in dia and each pot has 5 holes.
Root rot was observed in one of the two cucumber vine. The main thick root was rotten while in another vine, root was not rotten but somewhat underdeveloped with respect to size. For now i have removed both vines and yesterday i again started with seed.
I am planning to do some small hole on side walls too to improve aeration. what is your suggestion? Should i increase the number of holes in bottom? if i get success i am planning to add a lot more on my garden. currently i have almost 75 plants in 20 L water bottles.
While you said water logging, i want to clear that water do not stand on top surface even for 30 sec while watering. it is too much moisture that remain downside due to coco peat water retention (this is what i think). Currently i seems that i need to wait at-least 15 days or more to water to let them reach to almost dry state.
From where i can add pictures. please let me know?
Also let me know, should i add other plant specific question to this thread or it will be better to ask on a different thread to help other users too. For example Hibiscus bug falling before blooming while plant is full of buds (at-least 25 buds)
6:23 pm
May 1, 2010
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Are these plants in the open sun? You can increase the number of holes may be by another 2. BTW what is the grade of cocopeat. Is it too fine?
In 20L water bottles, you should put the holes on the sunken surface that touches the floor. the middle is little above the ground.
Water them once in two days to keep them dry. Give them enough light. I dont see why they should have problem.
For posting images, upload images to either google photos or flickr or 500px and post the link in this.
6:52 pm
April 18, 2016
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Thanks, Yes the holes are not just on sunken surface. i intentionally kept then slightly think that it will help to drain as it will not touch the ground. Might be holding water.
No plant are not directly under sun. i have added green net over them. Will post picture to let visualize more accurately.
Coco-peat is not very fine. I will post picture of that too.
8:18 am
May 1, 2010
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2:58 pm
April 18, 2016
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Please find the Link added for picture : This will give a fair idea of the space i am using and the shade and lights. i am in Udaipur, Rajasthan as the temp is in 36-39 C range now and will reach up to 48C in coming months.
https://onedrive.live.com/redi.....=folder%2c
Let me ask few direct question pointing pout the picture name. i am seeking help to overcome the problem being faced.
Information of the area being used : IMG_20160418_190737, IMG_20160418_190750, IMG_20160418_190812
Problem : It seems the Soil mix is holding too much water.
Refer Pictures IMG_20160419_190642, IMG_20160419_190609, IMG_20160419_190555, IMG_20160419_190618, IMG_20160419_190550
Problem : Bottle Groud vine stem seems to be week for the size and leaves are also too small
Refer Pictures IMG_20160418_190900, IMG_20160418_191252
Problem : All Hibiscus Buds are falling before they open.
Refer Pictures : IMG_20160418_191024
Problem : Brinjal flower dropping
Refer pictures : IMG_20160418_190923
Problem : Mogra ...Lot of buds..These have nice smell too but do not open
Refer Pitcure : IMG_20160418_191037
All other are visual treat...it you have any suggestion to improve.
6:00 pm
May 1, 2010
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Bottle gourd vine being weak and having small leaves, could be due to lack of nutrients in the pot. Did you try adding some water soluble nutrient to give them a boost.
Hibiscus not flowering is also due to lack of nutrition. It is also posible that sucking pests near the bud can result in dropping of buds
Regarding the soil holding too much water, you can increaese the size of the drainge holes.
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