We ordered a Harbor Freight greenhouse January 1st... it arrived a few weeks later looking like it had been dropped off the truck, then picked back up, put on the roof, and dropped again.
Contact both the shipper and shipping company and start a case. If the shipper sent the package with visible damage to the box the shipping company would have tagged it damaged at the time of pick up. It looks like the shipping company has some explaining to do.
Either way your product should be insured and a replacement should be in order. Or at least replace the damaged parts.
Good luck the rest of the way and please keep us posted.
WillsC
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I agree with Rafed.
Nice drawing, and I like your plan. I have heard ok things about the HF greenhouses. Some say to reinforce the panels if you are in a windy area as they can pop out.
johnnyq627
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I called Harbor Freight the next day and let them know. They asked for what pieces were damaged, so I had to open the boxes and go through each of the ~200 pieces. I gave them the list and didn't hear from them for a few days. I called and was told that they couldn't get replacements and I would have to ship the greenhouse back at my cost. A few hours of arguing with customer service and they agreed to ship a new one to me and then have the shipping company pick up the old one. A few weeks later I got a call from the shipping company asking why I wasn't home to sign for delivery... No one had called to say it was being delivered! I asked if they were going to take the old one... They said no and usually HF doesnt ask for items back. Three weeks later, I received a postcard from HF saying they still hadnt received the old greenhouse. I had to spend hours on the phone with "Bill" and "Steve" from India, before I got them to agree to not charge me for the shipping. I also let them know if the greenhouse wasnt picked up within the week I was going to dispose of it as the box had been taking up my living room for months. A week and a half later I got a call from the shipping company asking why I wasnt home for pickup... good grief no one called to give me a date! They finally came and picked it up last week. Harbor Freight's customer service was absolutely horrible!
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=rafed]Contact both the shipper and shipping company and start a case. If the shipper sent the package with visible damage to the box the shipping company would have tagged it damaged at the time of pick up. It looks like the shipping company has some explaining to do.
Either way your product should be insured and a replacement should be in order. Or at least replace the damaged parts.
Good luck the rest of the way and please keep us posted.
[/QUOTE]
Funny you mention that... the invoice they left me with the first one had a section for remarks if the product was damaged.. it was conveniently left blank! I wasn't home when they "dropped" it off, so I couldn't say anything.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=WillsC]I agree with Rafed.
Nice drawing, and I like your plan. I have heard ok things about the HF greenhouses. Some say to reinforce the panels if you are in a windy area as they can pop out. [/QUOTE]
Yes and it gets pretty windy at our house. I plan to do as much as possible to reinforce it, cross bars, angle iron on the front and back, as well as....
This base which will be rested on eight concrete piers with 4x4s sunk into them. The 4x4s will be three feet in concrete with five feet above it to help brace the structure. The panels will be screwed down and siliconed as well.
I may also plant a couple of evergreens to act as windbreaks in front of the greenhouse, which will also help block some of the evening sun in the summer.
Nick
Rewton
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Johnny - that sounds like a nightmare. I went through something similar (though not as bad) with Panasonic to replace a bathroom fan under warranty. I'll keep this in mind if I ever purchase a greenhouse.
rafed
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Nick,
Sorry to hear about the grief you went through but it looks like it's almost over.
Just be sure to anchor the frame to the ground or else you'll end up like Dorothy from Wizard of Oz.
Edit: never mind the anchor. You did mention it. Duhh
Good luck
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=rafed]Nick,
Sorry to hear about the grief you went through but it looks like it's almost over.
Just be sure to anchor the frame to the ground or else you'll end up like Dorothy from Wizard of Oz.
Edit: never mind the anchor. You did mention it. Duhh
Good luck[/QUOTE]
Asolutely Rafed! That was one of the lessons we learned the hard way last year... we had bought a plastic tent greenhouse from Lowes last year, 6x8. We had it anchored to four cinder blocks and four of those large corkscrew anchors... Thanksgiving weekend we had a terrible windstorm and heard a big bang... We looked outside and saw our greenhouse in the road, on the opposite side of our house! It threw the cinderblocks like they were nothing, ripped the corkscrews out of the ground and did $750 worth of damage to my neighbor's siding... lesson learned :(
rafed
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I remember a few years ago I was hauling away a can sorter. It was roughly 20' long and 6' high and wide. It was roughly 2000lbs on wheels!
I used ratchet straps (2000lb test) to strap it into the trailer.
After about the tenth strap the customer asked how many am I going to use? I said due to it's weight and the fact it's on wheels you could never have too many straps.
So I say,,, go ahead and anchor away! The more the better.
WillsC
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How deep were those screw in anchors in the ground?
coop951
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Looks like a fun project Johnny, wish I had a spot for a greenhouse. Good luck with it, keep those photos coming
Ampersand
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Wind is amazing...and destructive!
Let me know you ever need help, I'm not far away, as you know.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=WillsC]How deep were those screw in anchors in the ground? [/QUOTE]
The corkscrews were probably a foot long and were turned in so they were barely sticking out of the ground. The rain we had gotten loosened the soil, which as all it took.
johnnyq627
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Yesterday we began prepping the polycarbonate panels. The bottom edge will get vent tape, while the top edge will be siliconed to prevent bugs and dirt from entering.
Theresa was not happy with the opacity of the panels...
This year's cuttings are going strong in the office still. The Ronde de Bordeaus have grown way too fast, even with the spider mite problem I had that caused them to all drop their leaves. The black madeira is growing extremely fast as well.
What is this Mum Mix 400? What can you tell us about it?
I know I can search it but I rather hear it form a user than a seller.
Thanks.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=rafed]What is this Mum Mix 400? What can you tell us about it?
I know I can search it but I rather hear it form a user than a seller.
Thanks.[/QUOTE]
I can't say too much about it as I just got it. The nursery owner John said they used to use either UPM or ProMix, but the freight got too high. This stuff is made here in PA.
Here's a pic of the back with components... the fact that it has limestone added was a plus. I need to check the pH of it still...
I love to use UPM because it stays moist a bit longer and during the hot and humid summer days this is a plus for my figs. Less wilting. Hence, less stress. I just started to use the ProMix only because my UPM was frozen but I like it too.
I will give Mum a shot. Assuming I can find it here.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=rafed]Thanks,
I love to use UPM because it stays moist a bit longer and during the hot and humid summer days this is a plus for my figs. Less wilting. Hence, less stress. I just started to use the ProMix only because my UPM was frozen but I like it too.
I will give Mum a shot. Assuming I can find it here.
[/QUOTE]
They had another type of Freys similar to this but without the bark added. If you want your soil wet maybe that might be a better option?
rafed
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Bark to me is in a grey area. Do you want it for drainage? Or do you not want it so your soil can stay moist? I think it is a personnel preference.
But I do like to use aged pine bark as mulch to top off some of my pots from time to time. I like the smell of it.
I will look into finding both and weigh my options then. If it is a local product like you mentioned it could very well be just it. A local product. Hopefully that wont be the case.
Ever consider using Fafard 52 mix? That's some good stuff there too.
newnandawg
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Don't want to hijack Nick's thread but have a question for Rafed. Which ProMix are you using and are you adding anything to it?
rafed
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I hope Nick doesn't mind but I'm using ProMix HP. Not adding anything to it at the moment.
I have another set of cuttings that I was planning on adding another 20% to 30% more perlite.
newnandawg
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Rafed, thanks my UPM may have dried up.
rafed
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Sorry to hear this Mike, Knowing how much you liked it. Maybe you can find it again?
Consider Fafard 52 mix Sunglo or Sungro? LC1 Or Promix.
Don't mean to hijack your thread Nick, Would like to go back to the intended topic.
johnnyq627
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No problem guys, feel free to go off topic anytime as it's all good information for folks to learn from, including myself! I checked several nurseries trying to find fafard, UPM, or ProMix. None of them had any. A couple of them could order it, but the price was ~$50 for 3cuft... I figured I would try the Freys for $15.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=Ampersand]Wind is amazing...and destructive!
Let me know you ever need help, I'm not far away, as you know.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Kelby! Just keep thinking warm thoughts!
rafed
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The local Hydroponics store has these $29.99 ea. or 4/$100.
Try searching for some Hydroponic stores in your area or search for the small ma and pa nursery stores. I got my UPM from my uncles place and I paid cost so it was really cheap. But look to pay roughly $15 for a bag. That would be the very large bag. Fafard 52 mix should be about the same too.
Good luck
johnnyq627
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Rafed, if you want something to keep the moisture in, try cocoa shells. The potting mix I made up with them is great at holding moisture, just be careful not to over water like I did.
The mixes I've used in order of their ability to retain water:
Cocoa shells; even with pine bark and perlite held a tremendous amount of water
Rafed, if you want something to keep the moisture in, try cocoa shells. The potting mix I made up with them is great at holding moisture, just be careful not to over water like I did.
The mixes I've used in order of their ability to retain water:
Cocoa shells; even with pine bark and perlite held a tremendous amount of water
37 degrees this morning headed to 55. Going to start the fig shuffle. A bit chilly still, but I figure the garage was in the low thirties or high twenties the last few months, so it shouldnt be too big of a change. The green figs in the office will need to wait a while still.
Ampersand
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Posts: 728
[QUOTE=johnnyq627]No problem guys, feel free to go off topic anytime as it's all good information for folks to learn from, including myself! I checked several nurseries trying to find fafard, UPM, or ProMix. None of them had any. A couple of them could order it, but the price was ~$50 for 3cuft... I figured I would try the Freys for $15.
[/QUOTE]
To the best of my knowledge no one in this area carries pro-mix due to the insane freight. If I recall, Freys is out of Lancaster, never seen their soil but their other products are good.
johnnyq627
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Kelby it can't be any worse than the miracle grow I used on a few of my figs!
jdsfrance
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Hi Johnnyq627, Never forget to lock the door of your gh - if the wind sets in, the gh will act like a balloon and try to fly. Is the gh against a wall or your house? If so, it is better . Nice project ! Did you mention somewhere the size of the gh ?
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=sppsp]Nick, where do you get the Freys and how does it cost?[/QUOTE]
Levengoods nursery in Douglassville,Pa. It was somewhere around $20.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=jdsfrance]Hi Johnnyq627, Never forget to lock the door of your gh - if the wind sets in, the gh will act like a balloon and try to fly. Is the gh against a wall or your house? If so, it is better . Nice project ! Did you mention somewhere the size of the gh ?[/QUOTE]
It's 10x12. About a foot of it is behind the house, the rest is in the open.
I'm still debating if I should trim her to just the main branches. Thoughts?
hoosierbanana
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Posts: 2,186
Nolt's Produce has the best price on Promix you will find. Not sure if you need a BIN or not, the Amish like cash so I doubt that will be a problem.
Frey Bros make good mixes and their pine bark soil conditioner was always perfectly sized, expensive but very nice. I switched to Agway PBM but would rather use Freys pine bark for mixes in smaller containers, hard to find in the last couple of years.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=hoosierbanana]
Nolt's Produce has the best price on Promix you will find. Not sure if you need a BIN or not, the Amish like cash so I doubt that will be a problem.
Frey Bros make good mixes and their pine bark soil conditioner was always perfectly sized, expensive but very nice. I switched to Agway PBM but would rather use Freys pine bark for mixes in smaller containers, hard to find in the last couple of years.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks Brent, the next time I'm headed to Lancaster I'll have to check them out! I've been checking all the local agways looking for their pine nuggets, but so far none have them in stock.
hoosierbanana
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You will need to call Nolts ahead so they can pick your order. Sometimes you need to call a few times for them to answer, especially this time of year.
I remembered there is another place closer to you called Griffin Greenhouse Supplies, have never been but heard good things. It looks like their selection is great.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=hoosierbanana]You will need to call Nolts ahead so they can pick your order. Sometimes you need to call a few times for them to answer, especially this time of year.
I remembered there is another place closer to you called Griffin Greenhouse Supplies, have never been but heard good things. It looks like their selection is great.[/QUOTE]
Thanks I'll have to look it up!
johnnyq627
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I tried a new rooting method a couple of weeks ago... when I put tip cuttings into spaghnum moss, the tips always seem to rot. So this time, I tried cupping the cuttings with the tip out and put them in a 2 liter greenhouse. So far, both cuttings are showing roots and the black madeira is leafing out!
The cuttings that I rooted in spaghnum moss and then put in the orchid mix are doing well also. One lesson learned... don't wave a newly leafed cutting trying to get a fungus gnat away from it... the leaves WILL fall off!
I also received a package today to try another rooting method with some of the UC Davis cuttings that I received.
The figs in the office have started to spit out figs like crazy! I think I need to cutoff their thrive supplement... it appears to be fig crack!
Black Madeira
[URL=http://s110.photobucket.com/user/johnnyq627/media/mili/cementary/2014Mar30/IMAG0932.jpg.html][IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/johnnyq627/mili/cementary/2014Mar30/IMAG0932.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Green Ischia
[URL=http://s110.photobucket.com/user/johnnyq627/media/mili/cementary/2014Mar30/IMAG0929.jpg.html][IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/johnnyq627/mili/cementary/2014Mar30/IMAG0929.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Ronde de Bordeau
[URL=http://s110.photobucket.com/user/johnnyq627/media/mili/cementary/2014Mar30/IMAG0931.jpg.html][IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/johnnyq627/mili/cementary/2014Mar30/IMAG0931.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
johnnyq627
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Good morning figgers!
I'll be interested to see if this fig I left on my negronne last year and overwintered will actually swell and ripen this spring!
Also, does anyone know the approximate stagnant period on Black Madeira and RdB figs?
Dieseler
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Nick been there done that with figs from previous season in curiosity and it never works. B.Madeira can take up to 120 days here from time you see it appear on plant Ronde little less also depends on how much heat and sun plant is given.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=Dieseler]Nick been there done that with figs from previous season in curiosity and it never works. B.Madeira can take up to 120 days here from time you see it appear on plant Ronde little less also depends on how much heat and sun plant is given.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Martin,
What happens to the leftover figs, do they just drop at some point?
120 days would mean the large BMs would ripen around July and the small ones around August. Maybe I'll leave them on the tree then and let them do their thing. I guess I'll see if the BM continues to branch as I would like to get a few branches on it as well this year. If the figs cause it not to branch, I may need to pull a bunch of them off.
johnnyq627
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I had a productive day of figgin today!
My Violette Soleis and Black Madeira that I cupped in orchid bark / potting mix are putting out some real healthy roots.
Levengoods nursery called and the coarse perlite I ordered came in. A nice big bad for $24. It wasn't as coarse as I had hoped, but coarser than what the normal HD stuff is at least.
I dipped the top end of most in wax and the bottom end in clonex. Then made a label for each fig and did my best to write on the cuttings with a paint pen as well. Fifty cuttings later...
Not a bad day! I also got a text from my contractor that he hopes to be out this week to start the foundation for the greenhouse... fingers crossed but breath not held.
It is supposed to get cold again tonight so the figs will need to come in. Most are about to leaf out. My negronne is a bit behind the others it seems. My big conadria that I couldnt shuffle must feel left out because it is starting to leaf out in the garage as well.
johnnyq627
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Looks like we will finally have a few warm days and nights in a row! I pulled my large conadria out to soak up some sun. It is taking a surprisingly long time for the figs to leaf out, they must be looking for that 60+ degree stuff.
Inside, figs are still going full speed. The root riot cubes aren't putting out any noticeable roots yet, but the tops are putting out buds faster than normal. The Nazartis are putting out figs that I will have to remove.
The cupped cuttings that I rooted in sphagnum are growing as well. The Black Madeiras sure are slow when it comes to root growth. I may need to try to hit them with some fertilizer.
It looks like with any luck I will get a ripe main fig off of my Sodus Sicilian so I can try to ID it this year. I hope to plant one in ground this year to see if it is as cold hardy as its parent.
It doesn't really solve my gnat problem, but it gives me great joy to see all the gnats being digested!
Ampersand
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Try putting mulch on your containers for the gnats, I did that for mine and haven't seen any gnats since then. Unless the cats are eating the gnats...they sure like stink bugs.
johnnyq627
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Posts: 710
[QUOTE=Ampersand]Try putting mulch on your containers for the gnats, I did that for mine and haven't seen any gnats since then. Unless the cats are eating the gnats...they sure like stink bugs.[/QUOTE]
I think I've tried just about everything at this point. The bug bombs worked the best, but I would need to do one every few days and I just can't get the dog out of the house for four hours during the work week. For the most part, I haven't seen them do much damage, but they sure are annoying!
Dieseler
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Yes its a about time some warmer weather sets in !
snaglpus
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Hi Nick, love the GH! Can't wait to see the finish product. The Venting tape is an excellent idea. I should have used that on mine but I did not. I did however go back and add the clear silicone which was the best thing. I secured my GH using rebar attached to my 4x4 base and gravel trench. It work and the only damage I've had in heavy wind storms is the ripping off of the vent window. The panel use to pop out but the sicilione stopped that. I've repaired my vent twice and I have to repair it again. This time, I'm gonna do it my way and install a piano hinge.
johnnyq627
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Posts: 710
[QUOTE=snaglpus]
Hi Nick, love the GH! Can't wait to see the finish product. The Venting tape is an excellent idea. I should have used that on mine but I did not. I did however go back and add the clear silicone which was the best thing. I secured my GH using rebar attached to my 4x4 base and gravel trench. It work and the only damage I've had in heavy wind storms is the ripping off of the vent window. The panel use to pop out but the sicilione stopped that. I've repaired my vent twice and I have to repair it again. This time, I'm gonna do it my way and install a piano hinge.
[/QUOTE]
Hey Dennis do you have any pictures of your rebar by chance? I'm likely going to over-engineer the hell out of this thing. I'm pretty worried about the wind we get. I've even considered putting a few fence pieces with evergreens around it as wind blocks.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=Dieseler]Yes its a about time some warmer weather sets in ![/QUOTE]
Amen! Looks like I'll still have to shuffle as early next week the night temp is supposed to dip back into the thirties, but hopefully it won't be in/out every night from here on out. I'm going to wait until the night temps are in the 50s before I start bringing a lot of the indoor figs out... but I'll of course have to try at least one a bit earlier :)
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=sppsp]hey Nick, Few years back we had lots of gnats flying around and I went to the dollar store and got sticky fly tape. The gnats population have been under control since. good luck
also, great pictures and love the warrior plant[/QUOTE]
If you look close in some of my pics you can see those same fly strips. They are messy as heck and fill up with gnats quickly. I really like the yellow "test cards" that you see in my recent pictures. They aren't nearly as messy and are much easier to put where you want them. They all help reduce the gnats, but I think I have so many plants in my office at this point that I just can't wipe them all out... not to mention the rest of the house which has them now and I can't bug bomb due to a large saltwater aquarium. Once it warms up a bit, I'll be able to move nearly all my plants outside and let nature take care of the problem for me!
Unfortunately, I can't take pictures at work... but I have a hardy chicago at my desk with a single flourescent light over it. I started it at work, as a cutting two months ago, in a 2L bottle with a dunkin donuts cup inside of it. I've since repotted it into a 3g self watering pot and it now has two branches about 3ft tall. I pinched it today to see if it will put figs on. I am pretty surprised it is growing as well as it is with just a 15W flourescent "spotlight" over it.
johnnyq627
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Took the girls out for a bit of sun today! It also gave me a chance to repot a few that weren't enjoying the cocoa shell mix and how wet it stayed.
They expect to finish the piers today. I missed most of the early spring, but it will be nice to extend my growing season to ripen those late figs.
johnnyq627
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How to know you have a gnat problem...
[URL=http://s110.photobucket.com/user/johnnyq627/media/Figs/2014Apr12/IMAG0969.jpg.html][IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/johnnyq627/Figs/2014Apr12/IMAG0969.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
johnnyq627
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Well, the greenhouse hit a rock, literally. The contractors need to come back Monday night with a jack hammer to break up some of the rocks.
What a beautiful weekend! 70+ degrees and sunny all weekend long. But man was it windy! I had to brace a few of my taller RdBs and put their 5g SIPs inside larger pots to keep them from falling over (made me realize I'm going to have a problem this summer with my 5g SIPs).
I also planted a Bronx White that I got from Jimmy last year. It is supposed to get cold for a couple of days later in the week so I will have to protect it.
Hopefully the wind and thunderstorms tomorrow don't do too much damage and then back to the shuffle Tuesday night.
johnnyq627
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I know! The wind has been brutal also. I moved most of the indoor figs back into the house tonight. The rest will be brought in tomorrow after work. So very disappointing! Hopefully this is the last cold spell though.
johnnyq627
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Say a prayer for my large conadria! The rain today soaked the big pot and for the life of me I couldnt budge it, let alone get it back in the garage. Poor planning on my part. I tossed a heavy plastic over it, so we'll see what happens. 23 expected for a low tonight.
johnnyq627
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The conadria didn't fare well in the cold. It will likely drop its leaves and have to regrow. Enough water evaporated from the pot so I was able to drag it back into the garage. Travel over the next four days will require me to leave them in the garage.
The contractor came back with a jackhammer and was able to dig the holes for the piers, unfortunatley, they werent in quite the correct spot. So they will have to come back Monday to adjust slightly.
I would put that cutting in a gallon pot with moist soil and spray it with water a bit. Continue to spray/mist it everyday for a couple of weeks (or longer). Water the pot only if the soil looks dry.
Within a couple to three weeks the roots would have grown into the new soil and your transition period is done. Mist the cutting too. If you want to leave the pot in the container that's fine but gradually take it out.
Good luck
johnnyq627
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Thanks Rafed, I might try up potting a couple this week. The humidity difference with the leaves is what has me the most concerned.
Shailesh, I ordered the root riot cubes on Amazon.
johnnyq627
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The greenhouse piers and base have been completed. I'm hoping the vertical 4x4s will provide the structure a bit more stability in some of the high winds we get.
I'll let the concrete set today and tomorrow, then carriage bolt the base to the verticals and begin frame construction.
Also, I tested planting one of my extra figs in ground last week to see if it could tolerate the cold. I covered it with a bucket during the night, but the answer is a definite no. We'll see if it bounces back, but as of now I can't recommend planting in ground earlier than probably mid May in zone 6b.
We also made some progress on the greenhouse. We got the base set with carriage bolts and the bottom of the greenhouse connected to the base with foam in between. We also dug out the drainage pipes and a pipe to run water and electric in.
The two figo pretos were packaged extremely well and hadn't even wilted in the box. Thanks again John!
johnnyq627
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Due to a change in jobs, I had to take my office fig, a hardy chicago) home. It has been at my office since the day the cutting arrived. I rooted it in a 2L SWP and transfered it to the .5gal SWP all while at work. My office has no windows. I had it under a simple 15w flourescent spotlight. It thrived!
While I was at it, I potted some of mybroot riot cubes. Each rr cutting was hit or miss. Some had great roots with leaves, some had leaves with no roots, and aome had roots with no leaves. I'm not sure I'd use them again for rooting, it will depend on my overall success rate once complete. As of now, there are only one or two of the fifty that are dead or on their way out.
I found the Excel from USDA to be fantastic rooters, not sure about you. Looks like you're going to need a bigger greenhouse already, though.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=Ampersand]I found the Excel from USDA to be fantastic rooters, not sure about you. Looks like you're going to need a bigger greenhouse already, though.[/QUOTE]
Kelby it has been hit or miss with mine. Some pieces rooted very well and others have been slow. The desert king has been the slowest by far for me.
johnnyq627
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Was able to make some decent progress on the greenhouse today... would have gotten a lot farther, but 40mph winds came out of nowhere today and really hindered my progress. The wind ended up sending my heavy duty ladder and drill flying. Luckily only a small dent in the metal of the greenhouse, but took us forever to find my only 7/8" drill socket that went flying!
[QUOTE=johnnyq627]Was able to make some decent progress on the greenhouse today... would have gotten a lot farther, but 40mph winds came out of nowhere today and really hindered my progress. The wind ended up sending my heavy duty ladder and drill flying. Luckily only a small dent in the metal of the greenhouse, but took us forever to find my only 7/8" drill socket that went flying! [URL=http://s110.photobucket.com/user/johnnyq627/media/Figs/2014Apr26/IMAG1066.jpg.html][IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/johnnyq627/Figs/2014Apr26/IMAG1066.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s110.photobucket.com/user/johnnyq627/media/Figs/2014Apr26/IMAG1068.jpg.html][IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/johnnyq627/Figs/2014Apr26/IMAG1068.jpg[/IMG][/URL] We also made a run to the nursery to get more Freys Mum mix and took a pic of their beautiful greenhouse... [URL=http://s110.photobucket.com/user/johnnyq627/media/Figs/2014Apr26/IMAG1046.jpg.html][IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/johnnyq627/Figs/2014Apr26/IMAG1046.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/QUOTE]
Johnny, you my friend, have a green thumb! Your photos are incredible.. even that gardenia in the back of the photo with the "Office Chicago Hardy" (which if you need a home for ;) lol) looks so lush! Not an easy feat without good humidity!
johnnyq627
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Ok, hit my first snag... for the life of me I dont see how to connect part #72 to the crown beams... anyone who has put one of the HFGH 10x12 together have any tips?
I did some searching and found this image on a blog about assembling and earlier version of your greenhouse, where I saw this black plastic piece. Hope it is what you are looking for.
johnnyq627
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Thanks Hoosier, I got those four earlier, now I have four more that are supposed to connect to the diagnal vertical roof beam... no clue where or how.
johnnyq627
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Managed to get the greenhouse frame done, minus those four black pieces.
A note for anyone putting a hfgh together and wanting to use tubing to cross brace... use 3/4" EMT as opposed to the 1" galvanized pipe. The 1" galvanized was extremely difficult to flatten the ends of and pretty much impossible to bend the end to 45 degrees without major tools.
nycfig
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Looking good!
johnnyq627
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Unfortunately, the rain has been putting a damper on the greenhouse project. I was able to get an hour of work in tonight and get the shelf bracing in the correct spot as well as one of the EMT ceiling braces. Then a thunderstorm moved in and that was it.
I also got a couple of toys tonight. The 20" intake shutter came, along with a shutter motor and two thermostat controllers that I will use to run the greenhouse fan and intake shutter in the summer, then the heater in the winter.
The fig trees that overwintered in the garage are doing extremely well. Except they all dropped their breba. My negronne has two holding on still. I'm not sure if they dropped or if something ate them... they just disappeared.
The figs that overwintered in my office under lights have been slow to adjust, showing very little growth. The cold nights have not been helping and last night's 40 degree temp with a slight frost caused a few main crop figs to drop. Will summer ever come?
The one VdB I put in the greenhouse is doing extremely well, I was afraid it might get roasted as the temp gets into the high 90, but it seems to be loving it.
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=sppsp]Hey Nick, those fig trees are huge. Summer days hopefully will be here soon. Some place dipped to 38 degrees. Is your greenhouse finished?[/QUOTE]
The greenhouse is nearly finished. It's fully functional with automated exhaust fan and shutters, but the flooring can't be done until our patio is done and we are having trouble getting our contractor to complete/start that job. I will try to get some new greenhouse pics up tomorrow...
johnnyq627
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The figs in the driveway are doing well and growing nicely. A few have been pinched after the fifth leaf formed. Hopefully, our patio will be done by July and I can move them to the backyard.
It is a fig I believe I got from Vito last year. It was only labeled "bifere". I thought for sure it was going to be a green fig, but much to my surprise it turned black when it ripened. It is taking every bit of strength I have not to pick it and let it get ripe. It is soft, but not droopy yet. Vito if you read this and have any more info on this fig please let me know :)
johnnyq627
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I got to meet bigbadbill today also. He and his family stopped by. They brought a couple of friends along for the ride as well...
An unknown Bronx Yellow
[URL=http://s110.photobucket.com/user/johnnyq627/media/Figs/2014May24/IMAG1177.jpg.html][IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/johnnyq627/Figs/2014May24/IMAG1177.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Bill I forgot what you said you thought the yellow might be, can you remind me?
johnnyq627
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This young Violette de Bordeau has suddenly decided to fruit and what a beautiful sight!
I picked the bifere today. Probably could have used another day, but it was just too tempting! It was slightly sweet witb a bit of crunch. Decent for this early in the season.
Another Vito Bifere ripened and was droopy today. It was excellent, especially for it being so early in the season here. After the last two days of rain, I was afraid it would be watered down.
Well done, Nick. I am jealous. Any brebas on your other varieties starting to ripen?
johnnyq627
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[QUOTE=bigbadbill]Well done, Nick. I am jealous. Any brebas on your other varieties starting to ripen? [/QUOTE]
Hey Bill! Nearly all of my breba dropped or were eaten by something. Only the negronne has a few left and they are very small still. Not a huge loss since they usually aren't all that good. I'm not sure if the cold made them drop or if the birds found them. I never saw many laying on the ground, Im just not sure if something ate them before or after they dropped.
johnnyq627
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Black Madeira, you are an evil mistress!
My first one started to ripen and it was a dandy! I mean fist size!
It was still AMAZING! There was something different in the flavor that just had a wow factor to it. My wife was amazed as well and asked when the next one would be ripe.
The next one is a few days away from ripe, but began splitting also. Tonight's storms likely will not help matters.
My RdB continues to fail to live up to expectations. The taste from both trees has been average and somewhat bland.
Speaking of underwhelming... The Melanzana I got from Bills Figs is apparently not a self polinator. I got two breba off it last year, none this year, and the main crop has turned color but been dry inside both years. It is time to move this one to the trash heap unless someone in the area wants it...
![[outside+front+top+corner+7-31]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Fx-YC8Cle8s/RscmLy4wwwI/AAAAAAAAAE0/OMtbTAYHZGM/s1600/outside+front+top+corner+7-31.jpg)