First time harvest: rain advice?

[Grandma Weedstein]

Any advice on pre-harvest treatment of outdoor plants growing in Oregon, where it will soon rain? I am too cheap to spend a lot of money on greenhouses or stuff like that, and the plants are too big and unwieldy to cover up each time it rains. Plus, it gets windy. Does shaking afterward usually do the trick? Any other tips?

 

[Blew Hiller]

Not sure how big they are, but I wrapped mine in inexpensive garden fence supported by a ring of poly-tubing. They would probably help provide support in the wind. Shaking them def helps get off the bulk, but be a careful not to let the branches go unsupported in the rain...they'll weigh down and break.

cali dream

• Blew Hiller
• Aug 26, 2019
• mandala genetics

Blew Hiller Summer GH Grows 2019

 

[Grandma Weedstein]

That looks super effective and I will try to support the branches more, but I don’t really have the money or space for that kind of greenhouse setup. I will try the tip about wrapping the fencing around them tho. Thanks!

 

[Blew Hiller]

Yes, mine are under a high tunnel so I don't have to deal with the rain issues....those fencing wraps are for support once the branches get heavy with buds

 

[Oldbear]

Don’t they have huge cannabis farms there? You may not need to do anything.

 

[Grandma Weedstein]

They do have pretty huge hemp farms and some of my neighbors had pretty big marijuana grows as well, sometimes harvesting until November. I’d ask them for advice but I don’t want word getting out about my “hobby” on account of my wife’s job in local municipality.

 

[multiVortex]

Not sure what size of plant(s) we're talking about here, but for fairly cheap you can get some sections of PVC pipe, various connectors, and some heavy, clear plastic. From that, you can build your own kinda greenhouse around the plant.

Not free, but not overly expensive either. To secure it down, in all but the heaviest of winds, there are several things you can do. One example: think if you had your box built. You've got 4 "legs". If you were to leave that bottom open, it could be slipped over a T-post that you pound a couple feet into the ground. Now with all 4 corners slipped over one of those, maybe add some rope/line/bailing wire around the bottom a bit, that thing will be pretty sturdy from being blown over.

Parts (average of maybe $75 +/- depending on location):
(6) 1.5" PVC pipes, 10' length
(4) 3-way elbows
(4) T-post
Heavy, Clear plastic tarp/sheeting

That would cover a 5x5 area, and be 10ft tall.

Could make it 10x10, 10x5, 20x10, etc. I would pitch the top a little bit, so water runs off and doesn't pool. On a 5x5, just cut 2 posts 2" shorter and put them on the same side, and make sure the top is taut.

 

[Grandma Weedstein]

Whoa that actually sounds like a fun project. I’m super fucking cheap but that could be re-used so a big plus. I might have to ask you a couple more things about it, though, just for clarification...

 

[Grandma Weedstein]

Ok so that sounds awesome how should I connect the clear plastic sheeting to the PVC pipe? My wife is saying that staples won’t work but I’m thinking glues would be too weak. Not criticizing your idea — I’m actually planning to do this now — but I want to avoid making dumb mistakes.

 

[Oldbear]

Found this:

• Paint the PVC pipe using a white acrylic latex paint. Also avoid paints that contain mildew resistant and fungicide additives
• Apply a polyethylene tape to the area where the PVC meets the greenhouse plastic. white tape is preferable (duct tape has a top layer of polyethylene)
• Wrap an old piece of greenhouse plastic around the PVC before installing your new plastic

 

[multiVortex]

Ok so that sounds awesome how should I connect the clear plastic sheeting to the PVC pipe? My wife is saying that staples won’t work but I’m thinking glues would be too weak. Not criticizing your idea — I’m actually planning to do this now — but I want to avoid making dumb mistakes.

It depends on several things. First and foremost is how thin of a plastic sheeting you get. Thinner stuff (like a paint tarp) is going to be of little use. Way too thin, and only last a short while. The thicker stuff like what you use over insulation on a wall before you put up cement board... that's better. If in an emergency, and had to use paint tarps or something similar (the stuff about the thickness of saran wrap) then just get it as good as you can and tape it. If it's a little loose, it's a little loose. It isn't staying on long anyway. Duct tape, scotch tape, painters tape, whatever you have on hand.

More sturdy stuff, that's where it gets interesting. You could get a bunch of 1x2 firring strips (or similar) and make little panels to put the plastic on, then use little eyelets as tie points for a little wire. As Oldbear mentioned, adhesive, tape, etc. My only suggestion would be to not make it super permanent. At some point something is going to happen and you'll need to replace some plastic. Rips, tears, punctures, whatever. The easier it is to replace, the better.

You could also use something more thick and rigid. Glass isn't a good comparison in thickness, but maybe you get the idea?

Whoa that actually sounds like a fun project. I’m super fucking cheap but that could be re-used so a big plus.

Absolutely. You'd be surprised of the stuff you can build out of PVC pipe and the lot. Get the 1/2" stuff and it's flexible enough to make row covers. Great for getting an early start outside. SCRoG screens, a trellis for cukes in the food garden, all kinds of stuff. Just have to find the right diameter to get something solid/strong enough for what you want to do. At some point lumber becomes a better option, but it depends on pricing.

Like the above could easily be done with 2x2's or 2x4's, and just use wire or those 1/2 circle pipe straps to hook the wood post to the T post. Of course outside... wood... more maintenance and probably not going to last quite as long as PVC would. But maybe!

Of course stuff like this can look a bit on the trashy side, but dang if they don't work in a pinch and save some pennies.

With PVC the only place you really need to watch your budget is with different fittings. If you end up needing a lot of them, it can jump the budget really quick. Like those 3-way elbows, for example. They're going to be around $4 each. Now something like this, you just need 4. Not terrible. But if you needed 8 of those, and 12 T connectors for a bigger one, then at that point lumber may be better.

Dry fitting PVC together may be the better option as opposed to gluing the pipe together. Easier to take apart, make changes, take down for the season, reuse parts, etc. Over time joints on fittings may loosen up with repeated connections and reuse, just keep an eye on it. If you need to, just use a little line to put pressure on it.


Good luck!

 

[Grandma Weedstein]

Thanks! This sounds like it will be an interesting project.

 

[Elmer Fud]

That looks super effective and I will try to support the branches more, but I don’t really have the money or space for that kind of greenhouse setup. I will try the tip about wrapping the fencing around them tho. Thanks!

1 1/4 inch 10 ft PVC lengths are only $6.48 canadian at home depot. Can't be much more there can it?

 

[Grandma Weedstein]

1 1/4 inch 10 ft PVC lengths are only $6.48 canadian at home depot. Can't be much more there can it?

Nah but my plants are spaced at awkward angles, precluding a single greenhouse, and building a mini-greenhouse for each one would probably add up money-wise. I will try building one but not for every plant...

 

[Elmer Fud]

All you need really is 25 lengths @10ft (depending on how long you want it to be, this would give you a 10x20x10 structure) and a tarp to go over it. Then you should be good. For many grows

 

[Grandma Weedstein]

All you need really is 25 lengths @10ft (depending on how long you want it to be, this would give you a 10x20x10 structure) and a tarp to go over it. Then you should be good. For many grows

That’s a good point for next year but my plants are awkwardly positioned this year, surrounded by perennial bushes and a hedge and a raised garden bed, so it would have to be a really strangely shaped greenhouse. I might find a more open piece of ground next year and install one, though.

 

[Elmer Fud]

That’s a good point for next year but my plants are awkwardly positioned this year, surrounded by perennial bushes and a hedge and a raised garden bed, so it would have to be a really strangely shaped greenhouse. I might find a more open piece of ground next year and install one, though. This is how we all learn much love brotha! And keep me updated on how things went.

Gotcha! I remember those days. Lol trying so hard to think of everything, but once they start growing they are sure to let you know what you forgot, or didnt think about