Greetings! New here, and anxious to learn. Especially about how to help heat exhausted plants that are in containers and even under the shade! I can grow so many more things here in North Florida verses just two hours south of here... but the heat... has taken some of the plants from beautiful to dropping, weak and totally unstable. I'm going to go out and search your blogs for some help! Oh... here's another one... Have you ever heard of capturing rain, (that falls from the roof), ever containing contaminates (from the roof) that could kill plants? Anyway, thanks for any help anyone can give me! Deborah
Hi there MH&G. :-D I've been collecting run-off water for the garden for over twenty years now and it hasn't had any adverse affect on my plants so good luck.
Hi Deborah, welcome to the Stew from north Texas. I have been collecting rainwater for a couple of years with no problem. But that would totally depend on what your roof is covered with.
Hi Deborah, So glad you've joined the group. Even here in south eastern N. Carolina, plants are really looking tired and heat-stressed by this time of the year. Add to that a 20 inch rainfall deficit ... ... well, you can just imagine. So by now, I'm already chanting the gardener's mantra .... "Ohhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm-maybe-next-year"
Deborah, welcome! Hey, regarding to capturing rain, does anyone know that in some European countries (UK?), rain water belongs to the property of the state and capturing rain is illeagal? You'll be sued for stealing their water. Perhaps, you can counter-sue them for their water trespassing on your property (Zuzu, sorry for stealing your smilie icon. I love it). Just kidding. Experts say that raindrops from normal asphalt roofs are safe to use for flower garden and vegetable garden. The chance of any petroleum contaminants is very small and plant root does not take up any petroleum products.
Rain off of roof Thank you for your replies! I can't even imagine that rain belongs to the state! It's laws like that which make me glad I live in the USA... however, don't tell any 'officials' over here... They might grab ahold of it and start it here!! I'm wondering if I began seeing failing plants at the same time I started watering from rain falling from the roof and at the same time the heat around here began soaring... It may be from the heat... I'm going to get a picture to show you before and after because the leaves kind of started to crimp and fullness dwindled.. . I'll let you know when I get the pictures up... Thanks everyone! Deborah
Deborah, If you have enough water, heat may not be the problem of crimp. And I don't see any problem if you use rain falling from roof either. Failing plants may be caused by disease or pests.
Disease.... hummmm You know that very well could be... I don't wear my GLASSES out when I'm gardening.... Maybe I should PUT THEM ON!! Ha!! I'm going out there right now!
Hi Deborah Welcome to the stew from southern Ontario! I collect rain water too and have never had a problem.
I've got the pictures... but I don't know how to get them here... I'm off to get educated.. But I'll be back! By the way... see no pests.... with or without glasses on!
Hello from central Texas .I hope you find the problem as I have one confederate rose that sounds like your plants.
Droopy Plants I have a funny feeling that where I have them sitting, they're getting to much afternoon sun... I've moved them in the past day to see if that helps... Cross'n my fingers! I'm a dead-head... Can't seem to figure out how to post photos here... Anyone have a clue what link I look at to figure it out? Thanks... I've also posted ZuZu's slide show, but I'll let her tell you about it... I don't want to get in trouble here... I like it too much! Thanks! Deborah
Hi Deborah and welcome to the Stew from Washingtone State. Looks like you're already starting good conversations, so I'll skip the "don't be shy" part.
Re: Droopy Plants Can't wait to see your photos, Deborah. :-D Frank put up some really nice instructions (on photo posting) for us HERE. Gosh Deborah, your Florida site must get lots of visitors, I was very surprised :-o (pleasantly) to see how the # of viewings of my slideshow has jumped.
