jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 24, 2013 21:43:33 GMT -5
About February before sales start  A few days ago,leftover stock and liners for next year slid to one side to flush muck out.  Flushing with 3 inch hose.Lots of snakes and turtles on this day.Last pan on right is still full of muck.  Cleanliness is key to this business.Weeds and bugs are #1 enemy to aquatic plant business.Gypsy moth is #1 predator of water lilies.I attack with spinosads,spraying this mammal safe beer once a year wipes out the Gypsy and China Mark Moth |
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Post by helens on Jun 25, 2013 9:38:44 GMT -5
Congrats on your sales!!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,503
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 25, 2013 9:53:47 GMT -5
Really interesting set up James. I never used to have any aquatic nurseries in the district I worked so have never seen one like yours before. Looks like a very efficient set up. We did not have Gypsy Moth in our district, though I did have traps out for them and we found small infestations once and awhile. Had no idea waterlilies were a food plant for them. We were worried about their effects on oak trees.....Mel
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 25, 2013 20:10:55 GMT -5
All is well. Have you ever heard of Spinosad Mel. That is the deadliest treatment to it's target critters I have ever seen.
It is derived by fermentation. It is safe for us mammals. Larvae are floating dead in 10 minutes. And I only spray 1-2 times
per year. Cost's a lot.$180/quart. Much deadlier to targets than even obnoxious Orthene. Totally allows healthiest lilies.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 25, 2013 20:15:03 GMT -5
They sold down perfect Helen. Still got 15% left. Just right. Speculation on required inventory is plant grower's suicide if off.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,503
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 25, 2013 21:45:39 GMT -5
Yeah, I have heard of that type of pesticide. Safe for mammals true, but pretty lethal on everything in the insect world, including the bugs that are good bugs like predators, or pretty bugs like beautiful Saturniad moths and butterflies or useful bugs like all the bees and wasps. As a long time pesticide use enforcement guy, I'm just not fond of non specific toxins that have the potential for collateral damage to non target species.....Mel
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Post by helens on Jun 25, 2013 21:52:07 GMT -5
They sold down perfect Helen. Still got 15% left. Just right. Speculation on required inventory is plant grower's suicide if off. Excellent:)! You're a good guy, you deserve good things:). |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 26, 2013 2:35:11 GMT -5
I am amazed at the eradication of the problem moths. In the first year. It is almost like they were removed from the entire nursery. And for 3 years now I wait till I see damage from the moth. They are virtually gone. And I spray once/year at this point in that one 5000 sq ft concrete system. When loading lilies we keep Benadryl close by for my helper because bees are so plentiful. The other predator is aphids and a light mix of Sevin once every other year is all it takes.
The spinosad seems to stay on the water killing the moth larvae at water lily pad/water interface where larvae is growing. The blooms seem to emerge w/out contamination since the bees seem healthy. Or are they? I know they are thick as flys.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 26, 2013 2:55:06 GMT -5
Excellent:)! You're a good guy, you deserve good things:). Read more: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/60629/sold-most-waterlilies?page=1&scrollTo=677252#ixzz2XJ0kYVPVYou are a perfect Angel (away from politics) and I thank you HelenS. I may do a road trip. My aunt is having the family reunion in St. Augustine on July 4.Planning on staying in Valdosta 1,2,3 to steal coral from Withlacoochee. Then move to Lake George and chase all the bears away and reclaim my camp. Always a dozen fence breaches to mend. I will take sprayer and roundup my 2 acre open area and trails to get the growth under control and a clear area at the lake. The plentiful rains will produce a good palm berry crop and should keep the bear in the woods. Drought years are terrible. They get food out of trash cans. My cousin's step daughter moved to town next to Zephyr Hills so I can go crash at her house whilst stealing coral from that area.I got to find better source in that area. Come go with me if ya get some time. |
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Post by paulshiroma on Jun 26, 2013 8:45:40 GMT -5
x2 on Mel's commments. I used to keep a water garden but never had a chance to see how the plants are cultivated - learned something new today, thanks! Quite the setup, James.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 26, 2013 9:38:32 GMT -5
The channels are roofing panels that were delivered to me. 22 of them. They are 24' x 4' x 8". They were tearing a building down and I asked if I could have them and 20 more for another system. It would cost more to grind them so they were happy to bring them to me.
They grow plants at extreme rates due to their ability to store heat over night. Early growth accelerated by lowering the water level to expose the hot dry sidewalks creating large heat storage capacitors.
An unexpected byproduct.
A deep gutter on the end and an 8 inch drain empties the water in 6 minutes. Draining away pathogens,algae,muck and allowing maintenance and removal/restocking requirements. Also helps makes the snakes nervous and seek other shelter
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575 
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Post by grayfingers on Jun 26, 2013 10:08:44 GMT -5
Impressive set up for sure! You are one of those natural-born engineers.
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Post by helens on Jun 26, 2013 10:25:08 GMT -5
James, I like arguing about politics... I am not involved in it, so I like talking about it (I'm one of the "those who can't do it write about it..." people:)). I'm sorry when I think about how many people I may have pissed off here doing so, but I've gotten plenty of encouragement to be bad. I justify it by telling myself that if you guys just THOUGHT about what I'm saying, you might begin to see why I say it. That and I like to argue:).
Plants and rocks are not my specialty and never will be, I'm happy to admire and appreciate you guys specialties. I am not going anything until this kitchen of mine gets done... I can't believe how long it's taking. On hindsight, it's probably been a good thing, since I've had so much time to think and rethink my options. By the time it's done, I will have no regrets over the choices I've made. You guys have helped a TON in that regard, and I appreciate it:).
Once the kitchen is done, which I hope will be within the next 2 weeks, maybe we can get together and go coral hounding:).
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 26, 2013 11:28:21 GMT -5
I know all that. My Dad was President of debate team at Georgia Tech and is a debater.
I could make him miserable by not debating w/him. It is in some peoples blood and a great
way to learn and stimulate creative convo.
Lots of knowledgeable folks on this site to help w/counters. Good place to discuss such.
We would have a good time coral ing. That would be great trip. Will keep you updated.
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