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View Full Version : 18-flat propagation bed saga


Richard
11-03-2009, 11:53 PM
Here's what I'm going to start building in the next few days.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=26169&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26169)

There's a very old saying about the best laid plans of mice and gardeners ...

the flying dutchman
11-05-2009, 09:06 PM
Looks Nice, I would use 1 color for the frame though.

Just kidding Richard, wished I had the space for it, good luck with it!!

Ron

sandy0225
11-09-2009, 08:49 AM
is this thing going to be inside or outside? also what material is being used for the roof? If it's going to be outside and plastic or polycarb you might want to consider one of those solar powered roof vent openers so you don't cook your cuttings in sunny weather. Actually if you had the $$ to throw at it, polycarb might be good for the whole covering. It would be a lot more resistant to water damage than the plywood.

Richard
11-09-2009, 11:40 AM
is this thing going to be inside or outside? also what material is being used for the roof? If it's going to be outside and plastic or polycarb you might want to consider one of those solar powered roof vent openers so you don't cook your cuttings in sunny weather. Actually if you had the $$ to throw at it, polycarb might be good for the whole covering. It would be a lot more resistant to water damage than the plywood.

It is outdoors -- inside my 30% shade cloth plant shelter. The A-frame panels are hinged and will be propped open during temperate weather. The frame is 2-inch PVC. The flat-bed and walls are plywood wall board drenched in latex-silicone paint. The floor and walls are also 2-layered with 2" of insulation between layers. The "top" of the floor and inside of the walls will be covered with pond liner. The outside of the walls and A-frame will be fitted with 8-10 mil plastic sheeting.

Richard
02-07-2010, 02:11 AM
I'm now looking for 1/2 inch thick fiberglass or structural plastic instead of plywood.

sunfish
02-07-2010, 10:04 AM
Fiberglass Sheets, Corrugated Panels, Structoglas sheeting, Crane FRP, Liner Panels, Micarta, G10, FR4, GPO3, Rolls (http://www.fiberglasssheets.com/)

Richard
02-07-2010, 10:41 AM
Fiberglass Sheets, Corrugated Panels, Structoglas sheeting, Crane FRP, Liner Panels, Micarta, G10, FR4, GPO3, Rolls (http://www.fiberglasssheets.com/)

Excellent link, thanks!

Bob
02-07-2010, 01:17 PM
Looks really great Richard. I wish I had the room for one!

Richard
02-07-2010, 05:58 PM
Looks really great Richard. I wish I had the room for one!

If you hang a string of banana peels outside your bedroom window at night, the Fairy Banana Mother may come and grant your wish!

Richard
02-08-2010, 08:22 PM
Tony, the 1/2 inch thick Poly-Foam sheets appear to be a good choice. They come in 4' by 8' sheets. If I make a floor and walls out of this material and provide a few drains, I could lay the heating cable directly on it and then use 3/16 inch fiberglass sheeting on top of the cables for the ring-flats to rest on.

sunfish
02-08-2010, 08:55 PM
How about tilting it to drain and use pvc rain gutter to catch the water. Since you don't need sides to hold sand you could leave a 1/2" cap between the deck and the side that drains for runoff.

sunfish
02-08-2010, 09:07 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=29606&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=29606&ppuser=2868)

sunfish
02-08-2010, 09:20 PM
Plexiglass sheets, Acrylic plastic, Lexan sheet, Fabrication, Fiberglass Panels, Teflon in Stock (http://www.ridoutplastics.com/)

Richard
02-08-2010, 10:00 PM
Plexiglass sheets, Acrylic plastic, Lexan sheet, Fabrication, Fiberglass Panels, Teflon in Stock (http://www.ridoutplastics.com/)

This is actually the same company as the one in your link below. I went there today. Nice facility.

How about tilting it to drain and use pvc rain gutter to catch the water. Since you don't need sides to hold sand you could leave a 1/2" cap between the deck and the side that drains for runoff.

Yes, it will be on a slight tilt because the patio slab is tilted, and I will increase it more if necessary. But I will have side walls because this propagation frame is for "propagation under mist". The side walls will keep the spray from flying out on the patio and also keep warm air from leaving too quickly. The draining water will flow through 1/2 pipe and couple into the drain system that the banana plat is connected to.

I am also going to bleed hot water out through the kitchen wall and mix it into the mister water to keep it around 70 degrees. No need to have the misting water suck off all the heat that the cables have put out!

Richard
02-09-2010, 12:16 AM
Here's one approach to minimizing waste when constructing the floor and sides of the propagation bed.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=29609&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=29609)

Dalmatiansoap
02-09-2010, 06:32 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=29606&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=29606&ppuser=2868)

THE BEAST???
:woohoonaner: