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tires/babaco

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

re. Lorraine's idea with tires.

"Down Under" (New Zealand) we spell them "tyres" so don't correct my
spelling!   I have recently bought some "tyre tubs" to experiment with.
They have been made locally from large motor bike tyres.   The tyres
have the rim part trimmed off,  are turned inside out, have a chicken
wire base attached and that is all attached to one rim section.   I
originally bought a couple just to coil my hoses in.   I was concerned
about the leaching  from the rubber.  But I have planted in one to
experiment and have dwarf beans and a tomato almost flowering.   So far
they are looking good.  You need to put weed mat or coconut fibre or
something like that over the chicken wire to keep soil in - and use a
good potting mix/compost - not just garden soil.   I have tried the
potato idea without success.   I think my tyres were too small and I
tried to use garden soil in the mix.  It becomes very hard and dry here.
So, in a stack (4) of those I now have several Cape Gooseberries.  They
did well last year.  In another I have a zucchini and in another,
geraniums. The Cape Gooseberries need to be staked to stop the plants
from sprawling everywhere.  Lovely fruit.  Makes nice jam.
Best of luck Lorraine - let me know how you get on.

Now - a query from me re. Babaco.   I have a plant which was putting
forth some nice leaves.   Now, they are shrivelling up and falling off
although the plant seems to still be alive as it it keeps sending out
more leaves.   The leaves looked small and weak though.  I can't see any
sign of pests  but I wonder about viruses.   Any ideas would be
helpful.   I have wanted a babaco for years and only managed to get it
last year, so this is my first year with it.  Should it be "fed' - if
so, with what?  Should it be allowed to get dry, or kept well watered?  
Happy gardening - Evelyn


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