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Post by roofgardener on Oct 23, 2015 12:32:59 GMT
Groaaaan... that joke is a bit old and tyred isn't it Dianthus ?  |
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Post by daitheplant on Oct 23, 2015 18:59:35 GMT
You`ve been framed Roofus, coz Di saddled you with that well and truly.
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Post by roofgardener on Oct 23, 2015 19:14:14 GMT
BAH ! I made the statement in error. I'm back-pedaling on it !  Or am I going to be saddled with this whole "bicycle" meme ? |
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Post by daitheplant on Oct 23, 2015 19:54:10 GMT
You could always use a spokesman.
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Post by dianthus on Oct 23, 2015 20:10:03 GMT
You could borrow my Puch Picnic Roofy. It folds up, so you could get it up your stairs and out to the roof garden |
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Post by roofgardener on Oct 27, 2015 11:57:27 GMT
Thank you for that suggestion dianthus. I have taken it on board. Sadly, it will be jettisoned over the side as soon as the ship leaves harbour 
Flower Shower News
Well, I finally got down to it. Most of Sunday was spent fitting the distributor valve to the Growhouse. Hosepipes where duly measure up and marked, and then holes drilled in them at the appropriate points. The idea was that I would have two troughs of Strawberries on each shelf, with three shelves. (the bottom - fourth - shelf being used for storage etc). Sooo... three hosepipes going down to the three shelves, and cut/drilled so that the pipe runs along ONE trough, then bends around 180 degrees and runs along the SECOND trough, before terminating. All carefully measured so that only the sections that will be IN the troughs are drilled. Can you see the problem yet ? Nope. Neither did I. So I duly measured and cut and clamped and drilled and threaded and plugged in the three hosepipes, and tested them. After a little adjustment of the three valves, it worked ! I could pour water into the funnel, and all three hoses duly dribbled. Then I put the strawberry troughs into place... two on each shelf. This is fine for the top shelf, but the two underneath.. well.. the back trough is TOTALLY in the shade. By "shade", I think the term "permanent Stygian Darkness" might be more appropriate. So I could only put ONE trough on each of the lower shelves. And now my hosepipes didn't fit properly, 'cos one section on each of the lower shelves would be hanging in mid air, and gleefully dribbling water all over the Roofgarden floor.  Well, there is obviously only one sensible, adult response to such situations.   I just need to cut off the last foot or so on each of the hosepipe, and re-seal the ends. Tomorrow. |
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Post by Cherry on Oct 27, 2015 16:33:25 GMT
Oh dear. If you did not have a sense of humour, you would cry. Maybe you did. Perhaps that is your hysterical laugh.
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Post by dianthus on Oct 27, 2015 17:38:45 GMT
Would mirror tile sheets, stuck under parts of the shelving, project light to the areas you need it to get to, Roofy?  |
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Post by roofgardener on Oct 27, 2015 19:48:07 GMT
It's.... a thought dianthus, certainly. Perhaps a large orbital mirror ? I'll check whether Gustav Graves will let me borrow his ? It's an interesting idea though. One of my colleagues at work has already suggested that I put a band of tinfoil around the back of my work surfaces in the polytunnel - where the worktops meet the sides of the 'tunnel - in order to reflect otherwise 'wasted' sunlight back onto the plants. Sadly, with two troughs on each shelf, there wouldn't be enough SPACE for mirrors. Or rather... not enough space to position them to reflect into the troughs. Methinks I will have to buy a second Growhouse... and another distribution valve and connectors. I could then move both growhouses into the space currently occupied by my Spudlinks. Hmmm......I've never properly tracked the suns path over the roofgarden in winter; I have a horrible feeling a lot of areas will be permanantly in the shade. Your idea's of mirrors may come into play yet, dianthus. |
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Post by SueA on Oct 28, 2015 20:27:54 GMT
I was wondering if you could swap the front & back trays around maybe once a week/fortnight so that both trays get a share of sunlight, strawberries will tolerate a bit of shade, but that might be a bit fiddly with putting the hoses in & out & if you've already started your modifications you'll be cursing me for suggesting this! |
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Post by roofgardener on Oct 28, 2015 20:55:51 GMT
You're spot on there SueA. Moving the troughs... with the hosepipe getting in the way... would damage the plants. Plus... the shade is so severe that a week might be too long... it would have to be almost daily. Meh... I'm going to get a second (or even third) growhouse ! Why build ONE power shower when I can build three ? |
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Post by dianthus on Oct 29, 2015 10:09:01 GMT
Go Roofy! Go Roofy! |
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Post by roofgardener on Nov 2, 2015 12:58:32 GMT
 Leaf News There's no need to panic. There MUST be a rational explanation. So, lets calmly review the facts. - The roofgarden is 20' off the ground.
- One two sides it has very tall structures (my flat, plus my neighbours flat) going up to around 50-60'.
- This acts as a barrier to anything floating on the wind from the South or East.
- On the other two sides, there is a low wall. There are no trees for a 100' radius (or more) on THOSE two sides.
How, then, in the name of Zeus's Xylophone, does it come to pass that my roofgarden is COVERED in leaves ?
I suspect a conspiracy !!!! I think jealous neighbors have heard of my Allium Ambitions, and are carting bags of leaves up to the roofgarden overnight ! I must set traps ! Hmmm... I was was thinking of digging a concealed pit (I would cover it with the leaves), but I think the shop owner below might have... views.. on having a hole in his roof. Especially when people fall through them. Aha.... I've got some leftover strawberry netting... I should be able to do something with THAT, surely ? |
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Post by SueA on Nov 2, 2015 19:35:33 GMT
Perhaps a passing whirlwind/tornado dumped them on you Roofy! |
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Post by daitheplant on Nov 2, 2015 20:02:19 GMT
I had to dump the flipping things somewhere.  |
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Sept 6, 2018 17:58:08 GMT
Sept 6, 2018 17:58:08 GMT
Aug 10, 2019 9:01:47 GMT
Aug 10, 2019 9:01:47 GMT