Looking for plant minding service (forum)

Linton starts with ...
I need help from some place in Melbourne or someone that can look after some seedling plants while I'm away for 2 weeks.

I don't need just an ordinary gardening service to come in and water the plants as most of the larger ones can probably survive for this short period of time.

It's just for the newly sprouted tiny seedlings like Safus and Mangabas which are to be kept under cover and need to ensure that they don't dry out as they would be very difficult to replace.

Please let me know any suggestions. Thanks.

Time: 22nd October 2014 8:18pm

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Original Post was last edited: 22nd October 2014 8:17pm

About the Author Linton
Springvale, Vic
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Chris says...
🎵 Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours...🎵

Time: 22nd October 2014 9:57pm

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About the Author Chris
Sydney
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VF says...
There are professional house-sitters. There is some website they're on - a friend used some years ago and had good experience.

Time: 23rd October 2014 7:27am

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About the Author VF
WONGAWALLAN,4210,QLD
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Linton says...
Thanks for your suggestions but I doubt if I would be prepared to entrust these species to my neighbours or even a house sitter.

If anything were to happen to them, they would be far too difficult to source again and propagate successfully, so would best need to be looked after by someone with some experience in raising exotics from seeds here. Perhaps someone with a horticultural qualification could be the solution, will have to look into it further as I still have a couple of weeks before leaving for Vietnam.

Time: 23rd October 2014 11:41am

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Original Post was last edited: 23rd October 2014 11:41am

About the Author Linton
Springvale, Vic
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MaryT1 says...
Linton if you visit a few nurseries in your area you may find the right person to do it? Or a botanic garden?

Time: 23rd October 2014 12:05pm

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About the Author MaryT1
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Julie 1 says...
Linton, do you have a huge number of plants? Are they heavy? I have the same problem - want to visit a friend in the country but at this time of year everything is at the seedling stage.

I thought I might pile them into the car and leave them with a gardener friend. Then it's not such a big ask, as she won't have to drive to my place every day to water them. Just a thought.

Time: 23rd October 2014 6:31pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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MaryT1 says...
Not sure if it would work with tiny seedlings but for pot plants you can line the bathtub with thick layers of soaked newspaper and sit the pots on them. I imagine you can use that principle and fashion something similar. Perhaps use an aquarium.

Time: 23rd October 2014 7:42pm

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About the Author MaryT1
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Brain says...
self watering wicking pot with sufficient water for 2 weeks? And keep in semi-shade/indoors to reduce water evaporation?

I think a hydroponics set up might be suitable. the types that either pump water to a tray every hour (set up however you want) and drain or the types where a small trail of water is continuously flowing and allow the roots to take in some water. Good luck.



Time: 24th October 2014 2:26am

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About the Author Brain
Brisbane
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JohnMc1 says...
I use a clever device called a smart-valve made by the makers of Auto Pot. It allows a certain level of water into the tray, about 25mm, and then stops the flow until the level of water drops to zero before allowing more water in. It's very clever, the plants get watered and also gives the roots time to breath before getting water again. the valve works off low pressure, like a plastic drum serving as a reservoir. You can also add a weak nutrient solution to the reservoir so the plants get fed.
The smart-valves are usually bundled into a kit with a tray and two pots, but you can buy them individually. I can't lay my hands on the pics I posted up here a while ago, but if interested, I'll take some more and post them up.

Time: 24th October 2014 8:20am

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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Linton says...
Thanks for your suggestions, they are very helpful and I had already considered the self watering systems.

John, if you can put up some pics of your system that would be great. The Auto Pot distributor is close to my house so I will go and look at the smart valve set up.

Time: 24th October 2014 9:43am

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About the Author Linton
Springvale, Vic
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sternus1 says...
I guess I will hold off sending you things while you're away Linton, one less thing you have to think about. Make sure you let me know when. you're back.

Time: 24th October 2014 11:27am

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About the Author sternus1
Australia
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Linton says...
Hi Sternus, yes I will let you know.

Is there anything you would like me to look for in Vietnam? I will be visiting Lam Dong where there are many commercial orchards. Cheers.

Time: 24th October 2014 1:29pm

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About the Author Linton
Springvale, Vic
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MaryT1 says...
John Mc your pics of the auto pot thing are here:

https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/forum/self-watering-siphon/

Time: 24th October 2014 2:05pm

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About the Author MaryT1
Sydney
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sternus1 says...
Any good anonna or psidiums you come across would be well appreciated, or anything that catches your eye or impresses you at all really. Will you have net access over there? If so I can wire cash through to you to.&". K

Time: 24th October 2014 6:50pm

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About the Author sternus1
Australia
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Chris says...
Yes, please bring back the best exotic pest and diseases you can smuggle through customs. Vietnam have a wide assortment to choose from by all reports.

Time: 24th October 2014 7:22pm

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About the Author Chris
Sydney
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Julie 1 says...
These look like a pretty good deal. I would buy them myself, but they have to be picked up - they don't post.

1 000 litre water tank: $15

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/161463282342?_trksid=p11401.c100082.m2367&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140212102725%26meid%3D3cbc57b26f71454dba9d75d5c396c249%26pid%3D100082%26prg%3D20140212102725%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D151443068850&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:AU:3160



Time: 27th October 2014 2:17pm

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Original Post was last edited: 27th October 2014 2:17pm

About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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denise1 says...
The risk of bringing in pests and diseases with clean permitted seeds is very low or they wouldnt be allowed in the first place. Just make sure they are allowed in before sending them. In my experience seeds brought in will be destroyed at the border but seeds going through the post will be inspected and usually allowed to pass through. Remember to declare on packets and envelopes the words- clean permitted seeds- or similar.

Time: 28th October 2014 8:30am

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About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
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