Appleman could become Orangeman too

[MaxPC]

Thanks Max! It is not my greenhouse, but I hope to build one similar in a year. I want to make it rectangle, perhaps about 24'x50', with the 50' side facing south and the south slope of the roof a durable 1/4" poly or unbreakable glass perhaps, and the north slope of the roof I plan to use metal and insulate it so as to shield the cold north winds. And I may put a quality 24 hr wood stove (Blaze King king size is the best) in there to keep temps above 60F in the sometimes cloudy week here and there. I want the floor to be a full 6 feet below ground level to take advantage of thermal warmth.
I will need vents to open in summer.
I also may put in a fan/ground system to circulate the air through underground pipes too heat/cool.

Now that would be something to see!

[temporal1]

In an environment like that what do you use to control disease?

my biggest question is how to prevent wall erosion, wall cave-ins?

(occasionally, there are reports of utility ditch diggers who are killed when dirt walls cave in on them.) their ditches are smaller, of course, but .. gravity, physics, rainy conditions .. ?

the walls in the pic are slanted at a good angle. but .. ?
the walipini link above has some helpful diagrams. but .. ? 6-8’ depth raises questions.

[PaulD]

In an environment like that what do you use to control disease?

Moisture control, and diatemaceous earth. Other stuff as needed if a bigger issue arises but hopefully not... Outdoor varies from year to year. Indoor too. Satsumas and pineapples and bananas are pretty disease resistant. But it will be a learning process. Any thoughts?

[MaxPC]

In an environment like that what do you use to control disease?

Moisture control, and diatemaceous earth. Other stuff as needed if a bigger issue arises but hopefully not... Outdoor varies from year to year. Indoor too. Satsumas and pineapples and bananas are pretty disease resistant. But it will be a learning process. Any thoughts?

I think the fan will do a lot to control humidity that fuels disease. For organic controls this pdf may be of interest:
https://aces.nmsu.edu/seasonextension/d ... seases.pdf

I've been interested in hydroponics for sometime. It's a bit less strenuous to deal with physically which, at my age, is an important consideration.

[appleman2006]

I agree humidity control would be a big thing and might be easier to do the further west you go. A controlled environment obviously has its advantages but once you have a disease issue it can become a disadvantage fast.

[QuietlyListening]

My husband did aquaponics for about a year. we learned a lot along the way but light for the plants was a big issue- we used artificial light but were still learning however it was the fish getting diseased that ended it. Once diseased really can't 'cure' and finding the right fish for temp changes for heat of summer and cold of winter - even with heating water was a challenge. At the point when we finished greens grew great but had difficulty with other types of vegetables but that was due to light. It was a fun experiment and he enjoyed showing it when asked.

[MaxPC]

My husband did aquaponics for about a year. we learned a lot along the way but light for the plants was a big issue- we used artificial light but were still learning however it was the fish getting diseased that ended it. Once diseased really can't 'cure' and finding the right fish for temp changes for heat of summer and cold of winter - even with heating water was a challenge. At the point when we finished greens grew great but had difficulty with other types of vegetables but that was due to light. It was a fun experiment and he enjoyed showing it when asked.

I'm sorry to hear about your fish. I've heard tilapia is a good all rounder. I think aquaponics is something for the younger generation, not for me. Were I several decades younger I might give it a go.

Did you ask an extension agent about the diseased fish and the possible causes?

[QuietlyListening]

We had tilapia- my husband researched about the fish. Mainly it was the water temps. Very difficult to keep them warm enough in the winter. Even with heating water. But it was fun. He had just retired and always wanted to do this. Now he can say- he has. It is very labor intensive.

[Josh]

I agree humidity control would be a big thing and might be easier to do the further west you go. A controlled environment obviously has its advantages but once you have a disease issue it can become a disadvantage fast.

Some people I know doing this have to keep “steaming” their soil. (They blast everything with hot steam).

[temporal1]

I agree humidity control would be a big thing and might be easier to do the further west you go. A controlled environment obviously has its advantages but once you have a disease issue it can become a disadvantage fast.

The idea is intriguing, many adjustments would be needed according to climate, and types of soils.
My area is hot+humid in summers, we have a high water table, basements flood, etc.
So, drainage and humidity controls would be important. Even in winter.

Potential hazards in potting soils have made news.
Anything organic is going to grow things, not always desirable things.
We really like gardening, this is annoying news.

A few years ago, i had some bagged mulch i did not use right away.
When i got around to spreading it, there were different fungi thriving in it.
i decided, once in the air+sunlight they would disappear. i believe they did. i see no harm.
it was a bit unnerving. i’ve read, occasionally, a snake will pop out of bagged mulch.

The soil has bacteria.
i learned the hard way, when my son just about cut a finger off in high school.
the ortho surgeon was alarmed about potential “catastrophic” damage, like, loss of finger or hand.
he put him in the hospital with IV antibiotic drip. (full recovery.)

i learned new respect for injuries and working in the soil / what becomes airborne.
doctors say there are different common bacteria according to region, too.
they watch for infections via football field injuries, etc.

ventilation and drainage would be important (to me) - for plants and humans.

“Legionnaires' Disease Associated With Potting Soil ---
California, Oregon, and Washington, May--June 2000”
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4934a1.htm

MAYO Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-con ... c-20351747