The final day of 2008. I'm still sick. I don't feel like doing anything, but my mind is racing. It's a windy 54 degrees with sunny skies. Makes it even harder to stay indoors and rest. I'm moving a few seed trays out to the hoophouse though. Mostly echinacea and rudbeckia that I started late this fall. I'm going to be very informal with these seedlings. If you make it, great. If you don't, too bad.
I need a nap first.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Homemade cloning machine
I'm still not feeling well, but I got most of this assembled last night before the fever came on. I'll go through my steps to make it without a lot of commentary.
Materials:
Plastic tub
aquarium air pump (20 gallon or larger)
2 bubble wands
airline tubing
aquarium heater
drill
drill bits
black spray paint
silicone caulk for bath/kitchen
1. Paint the outside of the tub with a good spray paint. Krylon makes a brand called Fushion that is made for plastic. I had some Plasti-Dip, so I used that. You just need to keep light out of the rooting zone.
2. When dry, drill hole(s) for airline tubing. Attach bubble wands with silicone. Seal holes after inserting tubing.
3. After 12 hours, I turned the container on its side to glue the suction cup for the heater using the same silicone. 12 more hours for that to dry. Then I filled it with water and turned it all on.
4. In the meantime, I used a 3/4" hole saw bit from my doorknob installation kit to drill 77 holes on 1-1/2" centers in the top.
5. Once the temperature of the water reaches 78 degrees, you can stick your cuttings. I'm using a vinyl placemat cut into 1" squares right now. I'm not happy with the method so I'll try to find a better solution.
I also covered the top with another clear container. They allows me to let light in while providing a 100% humidity environment.
Now all we do is wait.
I plan to let it run a couple days before sticking any cuttings. I want the water temperature to be correct. I also need to find a better method of holding the cuttings in place. I'm considering communion cups. They're 3/4" in diameter at the bottom.
UPDATE: After all this, I decided to use a smaller tote. The lid fits a 7" tall tote I had laying around, so I painted it black, glued all the parts in place, and it's running now. Still waiting for the water to warm up. Anyone want to help move a tote full of water outside?
Materials:
Plastic tub
aquarium air pump (20 gallon or larger)
2 bubble wands
airline tubing
aquarium heater
drill
drill bits
black spray paint
silicone caulk for bath/kitchen
1. Paint the outside of the tub with a good spray paint. Krylon makes a brand called Fushion that is made for plastic. I had some Plasti-Dip, so I used that. You just need to keep light out of the rooting zone.
2. When dry, drill hole(s) for airline tubing. Attach bubble wands with silicone. Seal holes after inserting tubing.
3. After 12 hours, I turned the container on its side to glue the suction cup for the heater using the same silicone. 12 more hours for that to dry. Then I filled it with water and turned it all on.
4. In the meantime, I used a 3/4" hole saw bit from my doorknob installation kit to drill 77 holes on 1-1/2" centers in the top.
5. Once the temperature of the water reaches 78 degrees, you can stick your cuttings. I'm using a vinyl placemat cut into 1" squares right now. I'm not happy with the method so I'll try to find a better solution.
I also covered the top with another clear container. They allows me to let light in while providing a 100% humidity environment.
Now all we do is wait.
I plan to let it run a couple days before sticking any cuttings. I want the water temperature to be correct. I also need to find a better method of holding the cuttings in place. I'm considering communion cups. They're 3/4" in diameter at the bottom.
UPDATE: After all this, I decided to use a smaller tote. The lid fits a 7" tall tote I had laying around, so I painted it black, glued all the parts in place, and it's running now. Still waiting for the water to warm up. Anyone want to help move a tote full of water outside?
Monday, December 29, 2008
What is that bright yellow orb in the sky?
It burns. 54 degrees at 10:40am. The clouds are gone and the sun is out. I applied for 3 jobs this morning with the Employment Security Commission. With the economy being so poor, I've got to find some work doing something. I guess there's always Lowe's in the spring. I'm not sure I want to get back into that. I'd rather have a career than a job.
Today's to-do list:
post office
Wal-Mart
pallet break down*
*On Saturday, I went with a friend to a motorcycle dealership. In the back of the building, they had a bunch of wooden crates used to ship new motorcycles. Yes, I got many. They are made from #2 yellow pine and oak. Score: me = 1, landfill = 0. Not sure what I really plan to do with the wood just yet, but there's lots of it.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Winter Sowing With a Bandsaw
In the comments section to my Christmas Eve post, Medo asked how I made my containers for wintersowing. Here's a 36 second clip of how I do it. Be sure to turn your volume down. It's not a quiet activity.
If you have access to a bandsaw or a friend with a woodworking shop, you can make almost 200 containers from 2-liter bottles in just a couple of hours. Be sure to rinse the bottles out first or else you'll find that sawdust and dried cola don't mix well.
Ready to be filled:
Done and waiting:
If you have access to a bandsaw or a friend with a woodworking shop, you can make almost 200 containers from 2-liter bottles in just a couple of hours. Be sure to rinse the bottles out first or else you'll find that sawdust and dried cola don't mix well.
Ready to be filled:
Done and waiting:
Ugly Sunday
It's another rainy day here in NC. It's 60 degrees. The coffee is brewing. The cats are fed, and I'm trying to decide what to do today.
Since it's raining, I thought I would turn my attention to the inside of the house. Below are pictures of the house as it was when I purchased it.
This is what the living room looked like when I first saw the house. It's a shame that a house with such character and bones was covered up by what has been said to be an "explosion of potpourri."
I've spent some time remodeling the bathroom and living room over the past year. I ripped out almost everything in the bathroom. I replaced the original tub with a larger fiberglass unit. I installed ceramic tile to protect the walls around the shower. I removed and replaced the window trim with a pvc molding. Everything has been caulked tighter than a drum.
A work in progress - the bathroom.
Have you ever tried to install a 60" tub in a space only 59" wide?
The new tile - installed.
And finally, the almost finished project. I still need to paint the 'crown molding', install the toe molding on the floor, and lay two small pieces of tile behind the toilet. I've got a new toilet seat too that just can't seem to get itself installed.
With the bathroom finished, I moved on to the living room. I removed all the baseboards and installed new ones. I scraped and repainted all the window frames. At the entrance to the hall, the door and frame were removed to make a wider opening. I created an arch to match the existing one leading to the dining room. The front door was replaced this summer with one that matches the cottage character of the exterior. I'm very happy with the way it came out even though it was improperly installed by a local handyman.
The finished room.
Sorry about the blur. I was tired.
Instead of crown molding, I painted a 2" wide strip around the ceiling. With plaster walls, it was impossible to get the clean, crisp line I wanted.
Next on the agenda is the hallway, dining room, and larger bedroom. I'm not sure when I'll get to all of that as finances are running tight with a downturn in the economy and work. I have most of the materials, but as we know, we never have everything and it all costs twice as much. Still, I've spent just over $1000 on the interior so far. Money well spent in my opinion.
Time to get my butt in gear and remove the last of the wall paper border in the hallway off the kitchen.
10:45am and the sun is out. The clouds are clearing and the temperatures are rising. Time to get dressed. The wallpaper can wait.
4:22pm. It's raining again - 67 degrees. Just a light drizzle. What happened to winter? Wouldn't you know as soon as I got outside, it started again. I did manage to get the wallpaper border down in the kitchen hallway. Now I need to clean up.
7:19pm. It's raining. Again. 65 degrees. Now I know we've been having drought conditions for the past couple years, but enough is enough. Come on.
Since it's raining, I thought I would turn my attention to the inside of the house. Below are pictures of the house as it was when I purchased it.
This is what the living room looked like when I first saw the house. It's a shame that a house with such character and bones was covered up by what has been said to be an "explosion of potpourri."
I've spent some time remodeling the bathroom and living room over the past year. I ripped out almost everything in the bathroom. I replaced the original tub with a larger fiberglass unit. I installed ceramic tile to protect the walls around the shower. I removed and replaced the window trim with a pvc molding. Everything has been caulked tighter than a drum.
A work in progress - the bathroom.
Have you ever tried to install a 60" tub in a space only 59" wide?
The new tile - installed.
And finally, the almost finished project. I still need to paint the 'crown molding', install the toe molding on the floor, and lay two small pieces of tile behind the toilet. I've got a new toilet seat too that just can't seem to get itself installed.
With the bathroom finished, I moved on to the living room. I removed all the baseboards and installed new ones. I scraped and repainted all the window frames. At the entrance to the hall, the door and frame were removed to make a wider opening. I created an arch to match the existing one leading to the dining room. The front door was replaced this summer with one that matches the cottage character of the exterior. I'm very happy with the way it came out even though it was improperly installed by a local handyman.
The finished room.
Sorry about the blur. I was tired.
Instead of crown molding, I painted a 2" wide strip around the ceiling. With plaster walls, it was impossible to get the clean, crisp line I wanted.
Next on the agenda is the hallway, dining room, and larger bedroom. I'm not sure when I'll get to all of that as finances are running tight with a downturn in the economy and work. I have most of the materials, but as we know, we never have everything and it all costs twice as much. Still, I've spent just over $1000 on the interior so far. Money well spent in my opinion.
Time to get my butt in gear and remove the last of the wall paper border in the hallway off the kitchen.
10:45am and the sun is out. The clouds are clearing and the temperatures are rising. Time to get dressed. The wallpaper can wait.
4:22pm. It's raining again - 67 degrees. Just a light drizzle. What happened to winter? Wouldn't you know as soon as I got outside, it started again. I did manage to get the wallpaper border down in the kitchen hallway. Now I need to clean up.
7:19pm. It's raining. Again. 65 degrees. Now I know we've been having drought conditions for the past couple years, but enough is enough. Come on.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Shopping
Today was a drizzly, foggy day here at the cottage. Temperatures were in the upper 50s and not a sunbeam to be found. So, I went shopping. At Borders, I found a copy of The American Horticulture Society's Southeast Smart Garden Regional Guide. It was on the clearance table for $5.99. Also picked up an illustrated time line of world history for a friend.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Before the rains
After spending several hours cleaning and reorganizing the kitchen last night, I needed to play in the dirt in the yard. While the kitchen may not be pretty, it's clean. Ok, it will be when I finish this evening. With rain forecast this afternoon, I didn't get to the landfill for mulch. Instead, I started building my trellis for the entrance to my perennial bed.
Lowe's had landscape timbers on sale. Normally, these would be used horizontally on the ground. At $1.97 each, I couldn't pass up buying 4 of these. I already had the Quickrete in the basement and the 2x6's for the upper supports. Next week, after the concrete has cured, I'll cut and install the headers and cross members. I may even use limbs cut from trees in the back yard to give it a more natural feel. See, I make plans. I just don't always stick to them.
From the front walkway.
From the driveway.
Looking back at the house.
I also got my birdfeeder back up using a piece of fencing rail I snagged from my dad's collection.
And finally, the camellia is blooming. It was here when I bought the house. I chopped it down because it was so large. I'm very happy with the way it's coming back. It's one of the few plants in my yard that blooms in winter.
Lowe's had landscape timbers on sale. Normally, these would be used horizontally on the ground. At $1.97 each, I couldn't pass up buying 4 of these. I already had the Quickrete in the basement and the 2x6's for the upper supports. Next week, after the concrete has cured, I'll cut and install the headers and cross members. I may even use limbs cut from trees in the back yard to give it a more natural feel. See, I make plans. I just don't always stick to them.
From the front walkway.
From the driveway.
Looking back at the house.
I also got my birdfeeder back up using a piece of fencing rail I snagged from my dad's collection.
And finally, the camellia is blooming. It was here when I bought the house. I chopped it down because it was so large. I'm very happy with the way it's coming back. It's one of the few plants in my yard that blooms in winter.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Day is almost over
It's getting dark. Beautiful cloudless sunset though.
It rained all morning while I was at my parents' house. On the drive home, the sun came out and it cooled down to 63 degrees. Let's hope that tomorrow will be a nice day. I'd like to get some landfill mulch to spread over the new beds in the back yard.
I bought myself a Christmas gift a few days ago.
It rained all morning while I was at my parents' house. On the drive home, the sun came out and it cooled down to 63 degrees. Let's hope that tomorrow will be a nice day. I'd like to get some landfill mulch to spread over the new beds in the back yard.
I bought myself a Christmas gift a few days ago.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
It's Christmas Eve. It's almost 50 degrees and sunny. I took advantage of the warmer weather to move my rooted cuttings into the hoop house. The roses, tea olives, pyracantha, gardenias, confederate jasmine, and others were stuck in August - October of this fall in sand with bottom heat in the basement. I potted them into plastic cups 3 weeks ago.
Let's hope they make it through the winter. The next few days should be warm enough to get them acclimated to being outdoors.
The hoop house
Inside, nice and toasty.
A makeshift cold frame. I built this as an outdoor propagation chamber in the spring. It's a Sterlite sweater box on a bed of soil in a 1x6 frame. It's roughly 16" x 30". Right now, I have shasta daisies, two kinds of rudbeckia, and some Dianthus "Sweet William" inside. I'm hoping they grow enough to bloom this summer.
While I was taking pictures, I got a shot of the wintersown containers that were done on solstice. The larger containers were done this fall. They contain tree and shrub seeds that needed cold stratification or warm/cold cycles. The brown container holds about 200 Japanese Maple seeds. I need to move these to the north side of the house on Friday. I don't want them germinating too soon. January and February are very unpredictable months for us.
The wintersown containers ready to be filled. There's at least another 100 left to do in February and March. Mostly annuals and tender perennials.
My propagation rack in the basement.
Now, with my babies taken care of, the cats fed, litter box emptied, laundry done, gifts wrapped, and blog updated, I'm off to see the parents and sister's family. Merry Christmas.
Let's hope they make it through the winter. The next few days should be warm enough to get them acclimated to being outdoors.
The hoop house
Inside, nice and toasty.
A makeshift cold frame. I built this as an outdoor propagation chamber in the spring. It's a Sterlite sweater box on a bed of soil in a 1x6 frame. It's roughly 16" x 30". Right now, I have shasta daisies, two kinds of rudbeckia, and some Dianthus "Sweet William" inside. I'm hoping they grow enough to bloom this summer.
While I was taking pictures, I got a shot of the wintersown containers that were done on solstice. The larger containers were done this fall. They contain tree and shrub seeds that needed cold stratification or warm/cold cycles. The brown container holds about 200 Japanese Maple seeds. I need to move these to the north side of the house on Friday. I don't want them germinating too soon. January and February are very unpredictable months for us.
The wintersown containers ready to be filled. There's at least another 100 left to do in February and March. Mostly annuals and tender perennials.
My propagation rack in the basement.
Now, with my babies taken care of, the cats fed, litter box emptied, laundry done, gifts wrapped, and blog updated, I'm off to see the parents and sister's family. Merry Christmas.
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