Growing in a 55 gallon drum?

[NaturalGreenthumb]

Has any grown any trees in a 55 gallon drum?

If so what was the outcome?

Is there a way to moves the 55 gallon drum around?

Like a dolly of some sort

Some thing simular to this. http://www.cleanairgardening.com/barreldolly.html

Looks plastic and very fragile

[fruitlovers]

Has any grown any trees in a 55 gallon drum?

If so what was the outcome?

Is there a way to moves the 55 gallon drum around?

Like a dolly of some sort

Some thing simular to this. http://www.cleanairgardening.com/barreldolly.html

Looks plastic and very fragile

Those tiny wheels aren't going to do it. A 55 gallon drum is heavy, then you fill it, and add water. It's going to be very heavy! For this reason i suggest instead using a large plastic trash container. Some already come with large tires to move them around. And they won't rust! Plus lots easier to drill some holes in the bottom than in a metal drum. There are 55 gallon drums that are polyurethane, that are used for beverages, but they're a bit hard to get in some places. They would also work well. You can use a regular dolly to move it around.

[thao]

What about air pots or the likes? They are made for long term planting and come in many different sizes to suit your needs. Plus, they air root prune them selves, so you won't have to up size for a while and worry about the tree/plant, getting root bound or develop circle roots.

[Doglips]

The tiny wheels on most any surface other than smooth and flat would be nightmare, even on small pots.

I would think that any type of bag that is not rigid on container of that size would eventually slump and you would end up with a leaning tree.

I have this dilemma with a banana I'd like to upgrade to a bigger pot.  My standard dolly will work, just not very well, you need a dolly with a wide foot in order to get the levelage to tip it up.  A 55-gallon would be even tougher.  Mine converts to a hand cart, but you still gotta lift the darn thing on it.

I'm open for solutions.

[GROWITFROMSEED]

What about air pots or the likes? They are made for long term planting and come in many different sizes to suit your needs. Plus, they air root prune them selves, so you won't have to up size for a while and worry about the tree/plant, getting root bound or develop circle roots.

This

[jbaqai]

I used full size wine barrels and plant many of non-tropical trees in it.

but after putting soil and everything in it they will become real heavy and impossible to move around. and those tiny/fragile plastic dolly will not work

i used heavy duty casters from the local hardware shops. U need to search around to find a good deals. i got mine around $6 each , 3" which can support upto 300lb  from lowes..

[NaturalGreenthumb]

I used full size wine barrels and plant many of non-tropical trees in it.

but after putting soil and everything in it they will become real heavy and impossible to move around. and those tiny/fragile plastic dolly will not work

i used heavy duty casters from the local hardware shops. U need to search around to find a good deals. i got mine around $6 each , 3" which can support upto 300lb  from lowes..

So you have done it?

Can you post some pictures

[jbaqai]

Here is the pics in which I plant guava, loquat, peach etc









For the complete guide pls use the following website, except the dolly part , I used caster directly attached to base

http://hitchhikingtoheaven.com/2011/03/how-to-prepare-a-half-wine-barrel-planter.html

[fruitlovers]

Looks nice!
 To point out the obvious: 1/2 barrel = 27 1/2 gallon, not 55 gallon. If using a full 55 gallon container you will have extremely heavy container to move around. Good for deep rooted trees though.

[forumfool]

Those pics are full barrels...

I have blueberries in half wine barrels. Wouldn't do it again they are drying out/separating after just a few years. Looked nice for a bit though.

[fruitlovers]

OK, i see now, full barrel it is! How much would you estimate they weigh when fully loaded with soil and watered?

[NaturalGreenthumb]

OK, i see now, full barrel it is! How much would you estimate they weigh when fully loaded with soil and watered?

My backs already hurting.

Don't thinks it movable with out a dolly.


How much does 55 gallon filled water weigh vs a 55 gallon drum filled with soil/dirt?

[jbaqai]

I never got the chance to weight them , but should be very heavy . Also considering the weight of tree and fruits etc

But heavy duty casters, which I install at the bottom, are doing real good job in moving these giants around, plus I had really good fruit crop this year

[fruitlovers]

OK, i see now, full barrel it is! How much would you estimate they weigh when fully loaded with soil and watered?

My backs already hurting.

Don't thinks it movable with out a dolly.


How much does 55 gallon filled water weigh vs a 55 gallon drum filled with soil/dirt?

1 gallon of water is 8 pounds, so 55 gallons is 440 pounds.

[nullzero]

I have fruited a Dwarf Orinoco in a 55 gal container. It was heavy, I made sure most the mix was comprised of pine bark and perlite. I was able to move it around with a nice dolly pretty easily though. I basically took the high quality tough fabric fasteners you can find at an auto shop, and secured it to the dolly to move around easily.

[boukmn]

OK, i see now, full barrel it is! How much would you estimate they weigh when fully loaded with soil and watered?

My backs already hurting.
Don't thinks it movable with out a dolly.
How much does 55 gallon filled water weigh vs a 55 gallon drum filled with soil/dirt?

Ok Guys;

THIS is what I think you need:


I purchased it from a supply house a few years back along with two 55 gallon blue barrels.  It was designed to permanently support full 55 gallon plastic drums with water.



It should more than meet your needs.  Stainless steel wheels.  Can't find the old catalog.  However, google " Barrel Dolly" and you can find it for $65-95.  However, if you want to get multiple barrels, then I suggest you get something like this instead:
http://www.americancartequipment.com/store/default/14/64/

[NewGen]

How are you guys gonna change out the soil when the time comes? With soil compaction, that's inevitable.

[Mark in Texas]

Is there a way to moves the 55 gallon drum around?

What type of surface do you plan on transporting on, concrete, hardpan or sand?  Are you gonna cross any barriers like thresholds?  Being that you're dealing with a container that will finish out weighing over 300 lbs......and if you plan on using a dolly, you'll need a heavy duty one like an appliance dolly.  I'd go with a RootMaker pot which is what I use and at least 1/2 coarse vermiculite in your soil mix.

uhhhhhhhhh, good luck!

[boukmn]

What type of surface do you plan on transporting on, concrete, hardpan or sand?  Are you gonna cross any barriers like thresholds?  Being that you're dealing with a container that will finish out weighing over 300 lbs......and if you plan on using a dolly, you'll need a heavy duty one like an appliance dolly.  I'd go with a RootMaker pot which is what I use and at least 1/2 coarse vermiculite in your soil mix.

I agree. For a container that size (even in plastic) garden soil would not be recommended.  Its just too heavy when alternatives are available.  Personally, I prefer a 50% Perlite, 30% Sifted Compost and 20% Peat Moss (Pine Bark is better).  However, I would stay far, far away from Vermiculite.  That stuff is is a byproduct of asbestos mining and should absolutely never be handled dry w/o a quality dust mask.

[fruitlovers]

What type of surface do you plan on transporting on, concrete, hardpan or sand?  Are you gonna cross any barriers like thresholds?  Being that you're dealing with a container that will finish out weighing over 300 lbs......and if you plan on using a dolly, you'll need a heavy duty one like an appliance dolly.  I'd go with a RootMaker pot which is what I use and at least 1/2 coarse vermiculite in your soil mix.

I agree. For a container that size (even in plastic) garden soil would not be recommended.  Its just too heavy when alternatives are available.  Personally, I prefer a 50% Perlite, 30% Sifted Compost and 20% Peat Moss (Pine Bark is better).  However, I would stay far, far away from Vermiculite.  That stuff is is a byproduct of asbestos mining and should absolutely never be handled dry w/o a quality dust mask.

I think that will depend on the source of the vermiculite. Also you can get large pelleted vermiculite that has almost no dust. The dust is in the finely ground vermiculite.

[Mark in Texas]

However, I would stay far, far away from Vermiculite.  That stuff is is a byproduct of asbestos mining and should absolutely never be handled dry w/o a quality dust mask.

A tsp. in your morning coffee sure cleans it up.

[jbaqai]

How are you guys gonna change out the soil when the time comes? With soil compaction, that's inevitable.

This is what I need to know myself

first few wine barrels were not planned properly and have soil compaction issue. And changing the soil of those fully established babies are not going to be easy.. 

I was suppose to do this year, but got lazy , may be next spring. 

[NaturalGreenthumb]

I think this is a batter Ida but it going to cost around $300


Multi-Purpose Drum Truck/Cradle

[Mark in Texas]

first few wine barrels were not planned properly and have soil compaction issue. And changing the soil of those fully established babies are not going to be easy.. 

I was suppose to do this year, but got lazy , may be next spring. 

Therein lies the beauty of RootBuilder.  You never change pots, just keep adding panels to the original which expands the pot and then backfilling.

Never had a problem with the vermiculite I buy, no dust.  With today's veracious litigious society I don't think a manufacturer is gonna sell you something that may be hazardous to your health. 

[boukmn]

Never had a problem with the vermiculite I buy, no dust.  With today's veracious litigious society I don't think a manufacturer is gonna sell you something that may be hazardous to your health.

What brand of tobacco cigarettes do you smoke, Mike ?

[fruitlovers]

All pesticides are safe, all products are safe, because nobody wants to be sued. Consume at will....and other delusions. 

[Mark in Texas]

What brand of tobacco cigarettes do you smoke, Mike ?

Word is that Big Mike (not me) smokes Texas Red Bud, how 'bout you?

Facts before feelings,
Mark

[Mark in Texas]

All pesticides are safe, all products are safe, because nobody wants to be sued. Consume at will....and other delusions. 

Who's delusional?

Enjoy your worship services at the altar of organic wackos Oscar.   I'll get the facts and live on.

Mark

[boukmn]

Now, now guys.  No need to get testy w/ each other.  I'm here to learn from you guys...and I am willing to accept that there are now less risky forms of vermiculite on the market.  I still won't use it since there are more effective alternatives available that are even less a potential risk.  That's not sentimental "feelings" but a judgement call based on the info I had and comparing it to what I just learned in the thread.  I'm a precautionary principle kind of decision maker. 

Mark, even Oscar was with you ....up till your corporate credulous statement:
"With today's veracious litigious society I don't think a manufacturer is gonna sell you something that may be hazardous to your health. " statement that makes us do a double-take.  You don't really believe that now, do you?

[NaturalGreenthumb]

Need to figure out which ones better.

Anyone have any expeierience in growing in eithe one?

I need to put my plants in pots.

Estheticly barrels would look better but the trash can with wheels is movable since it will have its own wheels.

The barrels are movable to but I would need to buy a barrel dolly.

Need some opinions and suggestions.

Thank you.

[boukmn]

Yes, barrels are much nicer looking.  Why don't you try those plastic look-alike 1/2 barrels?  Same esthetics with a fraction of the weight.
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Pots-Planters-Barrels/N-5yc1vZbx4v

[fruitlovers]

All pesticides are safe, all products are safe, because nobody wants to be sued. Consume at will....and other delusions. 

Who's delusional?

Enjoy your worship services at the altar of organic wackos Oscar.   I'll get the facts and live on.

Mark

I guess all your ancestors were wacko then because prior to about WWI everybody was organic. Most pesticides were invented after that war when stockpiles of no longer useful chemical weapons began to be turned into a new profitable venture: agricultural pesticides.

[Mark in Texas]

Mark, even Oscar was with you ....up till your corporate credulous statement:
"With today's veracious litigious society I don't think a manufacturer is gonna sell you something that may be hazardous to your health. " statement that makes us do a double-take.  You don't really believe that now, do you?

Yes, I believe that or I wouldn't have stated such.  When a court of law awards millions to folks who burn themselves with a cup of McDonald's coffee or get caught up in an elevator door because they're too stupid to get their big ass out of the way.....  In the end, it's your responsibility to wear a mask or gloves when handling what you consider hazardous materials.   I make my own custom soil at least twice a year by the tractor bucket load and come time to pour vermiculite into the bucket I let if fly.  Being lightweight it swirls all over the place in the wind.  I'm still standing and as healthy and strong as a horse. 

I don't care what others do, I'm not some nanny control freak or neurotic. I'm a reasonable person who spends hours getting the facts.  I report, you decide, and you make a choice.

2nd, I have a right to defend myself and the Monsanto's of the world and won't put up with the sideways angry daggers thrown by those who adhere to misguided half truths and spin spearheaded by an industry that's only in it for the money or the cult.

Now......how's that project going my friend? 

[Mark in Texas]

I guess all your ancestors were wacko then because prior to about WWI everybody was organic.

Right, and before 1800 folks were inhaling the toxic fumes of candle soot and getting skin cancer from being out in the sun while spreading organics on their crops.  What's your point?

[Mark in Texas]

Yes, barrels are much nicer looking.  Why don't you try those plastic look-alike 1/2 barrels?  Same esthetics with a fraction of the weight.
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Pots-Planters-Barrels/N-5yc1vZbx4v

A heavy duty, good looking plastic container would be a good choice because of its light weight.  To really tweak it and improve plant health coat the inside with a root tip pruning paint so you don't have to upcan for a long time.  You'll get twice the vigor and production in half the volume of soil. After this thread expired --> http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3239.0  CTMIAMI tried it and filmed an excellent YouTube demo on planting a mamey in a MicroKote treated pot which reflected no root spin out.     I have used copper hydroxide latex paints to treat pots for years, Griffin's Spin-Out, with consumables and perennials.  And before someone does the automatic knee jerk drill "but chemicals are bad for you".....the fact is, the copper ions are NOT translocated past the terminated root tip.  If they were the plant would be killed due to Cu toxicity. 

Mark