Seed and Plant exchange for 2015

Thanks for your encouragement regarding the seed exchange. My helpers and I are still discussing our decision whether to carry on with the seed exchange or just grow some plants for our Filipino neighbors. I was sort up put off by the "uncalled for" rating as it was suppose to be a joke pointed at the governmental agencies inefficiency in providing service and their efficiency at collecting fees from foreigners.I think it may have been mis-ready or mis-understood as it was not pointed at anyone on the forum. . I think I have thin skin because I do not feel like reaching out to help others and receiving less than friendly responses ratings. There are other uses of my time and helpers time which may be more beneficial to everyone that puts an effort into the Seed Exchange. .

I have not familiar with aquaponic or hydroponics so I really do not know what I have here to give to others. The items we donated for the last seed exchange. I have the "clay marbles", white stone rocks"(sponge rock?) planting trays, small number of "Planting cube media" and a small bag of blood meal. The blood meal is bad for cats, so I will not use it. Just let me know when you and Denpet are interesting in coming by and picking up the stuff, and like I said Denpet and I can go over the the hydroponic lettuce operation if he wants.

Others are welcome if they want to see the hydroponic growing operation and talk with Grahain Reinders, the owner/operator of the commercial lettuce growing operation.. Grahain also tried growing tomatoes and has some information on his results. My intent in not to eliminate anyone, it is just that you two are the ones who have experssed interest so far in aquaponic or hydroponics

@ShawnM
@denpet

 

dave et all...
an option to a seed and plant exchange would be garden tours.

my experience with garden tours has been mostly with ornamental gardens where people volunteer to host a tour on a specific date and time. the tour could be guided or wander at will. seeds and plants could be exchanged with advanced notice on this forum.

i'd be open to hosting a tour a few months after the dry season.
norm : ))~

 

That would be a great idea, with a lot of knowledge exchanged also. Just post it when you want to host a garden tour at your place. Since is it difficult and confusing for first time visitor to get there, it may be wise for the participants to meet in Bacong, then then travel up together. Maybe someone on Bacong wants to have their garden included also so there can be two gardens tours in one day. Bambulo Resorts has some interesting plants there and they take very good care of them. I am not sure who the knowledgeable person there is working on the plants. We could get a quick bite to eat if the participants are interested and see some of the plants there too.

 

From reading the posts from last year, it seems like the seed/plant exchange went really well and it was something you were passionate about.

I think being a member of any forum means you need to have some thick skin; there are a lot of keyboard warriors that are negative or just want to make some controversy...can't get away from them so best to ignore them in my opinion.

Shawn

 

Justin Thanks for taxing the time to read my posts.... wax off....

 

I will be back in Dumaguete on Monday. How about lunch time? My phone number is 09274411320. If you send me a text I get your number and can call you Monday for directions.
Would love to check-out the hydroponic lettuce place. The more info one can get the better.
@Dave & Imp

 

@Dave & Imp dave, i remember seeing in your posts about fertiliser, and the npk..
i was surprised to see no phosphorus in the mix....is that a blend recomended to you?
i have tomatoes growing here, flowering, some with fruit, but i think they are showing phos deficiency
was just curious where you got that blend from....
.

 

The fertilizer is Ammonia Phosphate, 16-20-0 , meaning 16% Nitrogen, 20% Phosphorus, and 0% Potassium. The Phosphorus aids in fruit and flower production. I think you are looking for the Phosphours without too much more nitrogen than the 16% in Ammonia Phosphate. I started using it in the US, because the soil had a high alkaline level and it brought down the pH a little of the soil. I use it through out my garden here which is why I buy big 50 Kg bags. I split it up into smaller 5 Kg bags and sell it at the seed exchange for 80 P/Kg. In town 1 Kg bags sell for 125 P (see photo below at CL Marketing and Handyman). If you want to know where I buy the 50 Kg bags I will have to go by it and get name and address. Let me know if you want that information. A problem with it is that it absorbs moisture here if it is not sealed well. When it turns to gravy like density I mix it with water and apply is as a solution, but it is "hot" so I have burned plants using it without care. You have to water it in to the ground. If people are interested in getting Ammonia Phosphate fertilizer let me know and I will be sure to have some available for purchase. Mineis all gravy consistency now, so I am waiting for the rainy season to end before buying more. It is best if youbring your own best airtight containers for storage, or use the fertilizer quickly. (within 4 months)

I also put left over fish from the cats in the holes of many things I plant, as a slow release fertilizer. You can mix fish with water to make "fish emulsion" but it really stinks a lot. I purchased the little fish at the fish market in Dumaguete for 20P / Kg... a very good price yesterday. The fish are old and hardly something you want to eat, but they work good as fertilizer.

NOTE: Regarding tomatoes we will have a field trip to Grahan's hydroponic lettuce production farm in San Miguel/Bacong next week. He has some commercial experience with Tomatoes also and will share his problems. Watch the forum for time and place. It should be posted in the next couple of days.
@WATSISNAME

 

ahhhh ok, it was my memory that was the problem lol.....i didnt go back to read the post like i should have, i remembered it as 0 phos.,
not 0 potassium.....thanks dave, will see how i go when the field trip is on....