Some people actually learn by hearing new things, asking about them, and then researching further into the newly presented idea on their own. Sometimes only a tad bit of clarification is needed. Granted 'citation needed' is rude, as is the wikipedia comment in the original candida thread. Obviously I can use google (thanks for the wiki link), but when I ask for more information about a fabulous claim it shouldn't be too off putting to whoever made it.
I don't question other people on their thoughts, experiences, or observations; but when a new 'fact' is presented to me, I like to ask for clarification.
I still can't fathom why this would be discouraged. That's how people learn on their own, instead of learning how to follow what somebody else does or says.
If people get that bent out of shape by using the internets, they should probably not use it.
I don't know if I should continue this here, pm, or another thread -- but why would permies.com discourage asking for citations?
I can see why if someone says "I planted lots of clover and tons of butterflies showed up" -- then maybe don't ask for a citation of clover planting and butterfly population studies. Or in this case, "I stopped with the sugar and felt better." ->No source needed.
But if someone claims something to be fact that is obviously ludicrous (example) then why should asking for a source be discouraged?
The example provided is egregious, IMO. It's borderline libel.
I have a hard time comprehending why permies.com would rather have mis/wrong information touted as fact to prevent a slight (online)ego incursion?
I used to 'spray' a lot when I was a homeowner, but I was spraying things like compost tea, EM, milk, ferments, teas, etc.....
One of my neighbor, who shopped exclusively at Mart-Wal, refused any of my vegetables because "I spray too much". Even though, on numerous occasions, I explained what I was doing and spraying.
Not saying that is what is happening here, but people do get nervous, rightly so, when the ole sprayer comes out.
So I should be putting the mice caught in snap traps into the chicken tractor instead of into the compost pile?
I haven't checked the traps from last night yet.
paul wheaton wrote:I popped a note in to the staff at coderanch about this. I suggested that if a user has more than 30 posts then the timer can be reduced.
Thanks Paul.
I actually don't mind the Permies search function, so that's why I'd like to see it improved.
I end up misspelling or mis-remembering what keyword I need to use and sometimes need more than 3 attempts. I misspelled my own name in one of those attempts that even got me to make this thread.
It lets me do three searches, then locks it out. I found out I can shut down the browser, open a new one, and start again after. Not sure how long it wants me to wait...
Some, myself included, would say searching through a search function would be much easier than hunting and pecking through hundreds of posts.
EDIT: I specified I 'made a new thread' because I know there are other "search function" threads, but I didn't want to hunt and peck through this sub-forum, and my search was locked, so new thread it was.
I was just baffled after trying to search for one of my posts and being 'locked' out of it after 3 attempts. I don't really understand that one. . . . . . .
Jon Paddy wrote:Bocking 4
>More vertical, deep root structure
Bocking 14
>More spreading, shallow root structure ideal for areas of shallower soils, shallow water tables, or growing in large pots
I hate to be 'that guy' but could I ask where this info comes from?
I thought I was pretty well-read on these 2, but haven't come across this at all.
I'll be honest -- "defoliation" is big on cannabis boards with hydro growers who know nothing about actual plant biology. I'm definitely no expert, but from what I know the leaves produce energy from the sun and this is moved through the stem to help produce seed. Fruit is just an exciting bonus we get. Leaves are also a 'storeroom' for some nutrients that can be translocated if needed.
I have seen this recommendation before, however it was more of a way to encourage existing fruit to ripen before a hard freeze occurs in the fall. Like if the weather guy says in September "it's gonna be 20 next week" some people will go defoliate their plants to get the fruit to 'ripen faster'.
I've also seen the recommendation to keep tomatoes to 2-3 main growing stems by pinching/pruning throughout the season. That's 2-3 apical meristems, not actual leaves though. I've tried to do this, but much into the season I lost interest and stopped doing it diligently.
Kinda along the same lines as this is to limit N for tomatoes. High N fert/compost/amendments will encourage lots of vegetative growth. My old boss always put lots of straight turkey manure on his plants and said he only would get a few tomatoes from each plant. I kinda tried to tell him it was the high N, but then he got fired so I'm not sure if it helped him.
I would definitely not encourage you to try this on 100% of your crop this year. Maybe a few test subjects. TBH I get good enough tomatoes just letting the plant do it's thing.
Some notes I took while watching this video series featuring Jim Adkins of the Sustainable Poultry Network include the following for selecting good breeders:
Feather size - wider = better
Skull size - wider = better
Pubic bone size - 3 fingers wide spread. Soft, pliable. Not hard. Slightly curved inwards. Not straight or really rounded.
Molting - Bird molts all at once and quickly over 6-8 weeks. Molting isn't spotty. Don't cull when molting.
Heart girth - wider = better. You want a 'flatter' back.
Body depth (legs to top of back) - Taller/wider = better. Easier to pass eggs.
Keel bone - want a good size.
Food consumption - more = better.
In addition to good temperament, not aggressive, friendly, manifestation of breed characteristics, etc.
It's been in the upper 20's and lower 30's. No rain for the 10-day forecast is scheduled. I have them on pasture that hasn't been irrigated either. Should be nice and dry. I even put down a little pile of wood chips, to remind them of the garage. But they are huddled in a corner currently. Hope I don't get any smothering.
I've researched when to put out chickens, and like most things online, opinions differ.
I have ~ 60 chicks that are 6.5 weeks old. All but about 6 are fully feathered. The backs of these 6 (RIR and PBR) are not yet feathered. Are they ok to go out tonight?
I have them in your standard 8x10 cattle panel tractor. It's covered with a tarp, and I'm gonna block the front part tonight with cardboard or contractor plastic, to reduce any winds. Temps are supposed to be in the low 30's for tonight and the next few. I'm not planning on putting a heat lamp in there. I was thinking with 60 birds, they should be alright huddling together.
Ok to go out, or move the half dozen back to the garage? Thoughts from anyone more experienced?
EDIT: They have been in a brooder in an uninsulated metal outbuilding. I removed their lamp about a week and a half ago, so they have been sustaining temps that low just fine in a non-moving air location. I'm worried about the added stress of a breeze.
Plastic bins are/were too hard to get the moisture balance correct on, IME.
I just use large fabric pots (Smart Pots), stuffed with wood chips, manure, leaves, compost, etc . . . Keep them watered with the other houseplants. After a few months, you got a handy little bucket full of worms, cocoons, and vermicompost. Worms can move through the material, so you could 'stack' them.
I'm a noob, but I have 60 chicks in the garage (roughly 60). It's tough to accurately count bouncing peepers. I got a count once, when they were calm, but not bunched together sleeping. I usually get a 'rough count' every few days, or I'll try to count the numbers of individuals of a particular breed (I got 3). Counting 20 is easier than 60. They turn 6 weeks in a few days, so I'm gonna get an accurate count when I move them to the tractor next week. I'll try to get a sex count, but some of them still confuse me as to being a cockerel or pullet.
I prefer the black 'high quality' hoses from walmart. Not sure of the name.
Even more than the red/orange contractor hoses. These degrade in the sun much faster.
Michael Vormwald wrote:perhaps just piling on organic matter in the garden is better than making hot compost?
That's the way Mother does it.
Leaf mold from hardwoods is considered the finest compost by some people. It's essentially a pile of leaves, kept moist until it's broken down. Which depending, can take up to a few years. With the low levels of N and high levels of C and lignin content, you can really get some nice humus going.
