hi viks
instead of strings there is another method. we can use nets,[just like fishnets] with holes of about 5 to 6 cm . ie square holes with sides of 5 cm length. these nets should be tied at the top with the angles or pipes of the greenhouse using gi wires. the plants should be trained on the nets as they grow. i am using this method for cucumbers and it is good. just one disadvantage if the support given at the top is not good the whole net may break down damaging many plants. so we have to be more careful
HELP !! HELP !!
the polyester strings which i am using for support/tieing of the plants ( Rs.170/kg ) is about 2 years old now, and has started to blister (Picture - 3) , and break suddenly due to the wind and/or the weight on it, resulting to a very big loss of mine.
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Hi Vivek,
thanks first and fore most for you open heart and secondly to your intelligent mind.
I am getting bored of my current work profile and would like to move to agriculture which was our grandfathers and fathers early occupation.
Though my post would not bring any relief to your current suffering i still would like to add this point
i suspect wetting of the nylon might lead to loss of strength of the nylon i am afraid steaming and continous exposure to
different humidity and temperature has had its toll.
Found some links on topics related to fibre strength and wetting.
itrsonline.org/PapersFolder/ … SPaper.pdf
Since this is bearer of the entire system, it is worth to evaluate the tensile strength and average stress per plant could give a good indication of selection on the thread.
May be as suggested by ak and also logically webbing could distribute the stress more evenly .
Anand
[/quote]
hi Ak (47) 
cucumber climbers are a bit different, the new shootings grow and grip anything for support by default. they have these tiny curly shoots which are mainly with the purpose of self support by the crops natural system.
so yeah, net as you use, is very good for that. but capsicum plants are different. the new shoots need constant support and attention.
i really dono… i am planning to take this crop somehow this year, and change the whole support system only.
i am trying to make a support system, having a spring system which will coil automatically once the shoot is getting bigger, or the string tension gets loose. i dont think this would be economic, but lets see.
also i had tried adding some counter weight to the open end of the string which was tied to the plant, this is ok for 5-10 plants, but makes a big mess when the plants are more and the density is high.
i’ll post some pictures of the support practises followed by my friends here. you guys are more technical minded, so plz consider giving it a look and thoughts.
Vivek
hey Anand !
thanks for the support! keeps me going 
its a co-incidence that my main profession is in textiles, and i am REALLY VERY HAPPY to see that u have taken the PAIN to check the tensile strength of various fibres, and thought about it.
these strings as you have already cleared, loose strength with due time, cause of exposure to sunlight, water, humidity etc.
so i am searching for something which is more stronger than nylon, but cheaper at the same time.
cotton is a good option, as it gains strength when its wet, but than there are other issues like the twists in the string which create a hiding place for the pests.
so nylon strings are good, but has a limited (less) life. so somehow i am going to manage this crop, but will surely change the whole support setup next time.
i was just wondering, are u into textiles as well ? or is it the zeal and thirst in you?
Vivek
How i made mistakes, and learned from them.
Picture 1 - this is of my irrigation/fogging/venturi system.
can you spot whats wrong in this system?
everytime i irrigate my plants (since 3 years) i swear on the drip person and curse myself for being a fool !!
Hope you guys dont make the same mistake i did.
Good day
Vivek
[quote=Viks]
hi Ak (47)
cucumber climbers are a bit different, the new shootings grow and grip anything for support by default. they have these tiny curly shoots which are mainly with the purpose of self support by the crops natural system.
so yeah, net as you use, is very good for that. but capsicum plants are different. the new shoots need constant support and attention.
i really dono… i am planning to take this crop somehow this year, and change the whole support system only.
i am trying to make a support system, having a spring system which will coil automatically once the shoot is getting bigger, or the string tension gets loose. i dont think this would be economic, but lets see.
also i had tried adding some counter weight to the open end of the string which was tied to the plant, this is ok for 5-10 plants, but makes a big mess when the plants are more and the density is high.
i’ll post some pictures of the support practises followed by my friends here. you guys are more technical minded, so plz consider giving it a look and thoughts.
Vivek
[/quote]hi viks i have sent a pic abt the training system. i train the plants like this. initially we will insert the shoot inside the first square hole. then after few days we will get it out through the hole that is just above the first hole. we repeat this procedure till the plant reaches a ht of abt 6—7 feet.
the net supports the plant nicely. actually we remove the tendrils that are putforth by the plant to climb on the support. i hope that this info is useful.
1 Like
hi viks
i couldnot find out what is wrong with ur irrign system. pl explain
woahh! neat setup Mr.Ak.
first things first, about the picture.
when are you planning to plant cucumber?
do u germinate the seeds and then shift them? or sow the seeds directly in the beds?
i also started harvest of my first cucumber plot 2 days back
i am just curious as to why have you used the white sheet for covering the beds? and what is the media you are using? also the drip system you have is different. i dono the technical name, pardon me. but i have a tube (lateral) with discharge nozzles.
so whats the benefit and the cost aspect of the drip system you have?
and Mr.Ak, thanks a lot for the picture. i have old carnation support nets (similar pattern - 4 inch x 4 inch squares) i can try it out, but only when i change the plants. as of now, its impossible to do anything, as the plants are dense 
and about the irrigation system, ummm… its technically a ok dokie setup, but why i curse myself is because of “ergonomics” related to it, and my lack of involvement in the installation phase.
thats more of a clue well… the answer actually… but can you tell whats wrong with the ergonomics in that?
.:/ viVek [u][/u]:.
hello
i am waiting for seeds. may start growing within a week. this will be my fourth crop .
i have not covered the beds. i am using grow bags . the bags are filled with coir pith and some organic manure.
then abt drip. i think it is a normal setup. we have attached a microtube to the lateral and attached a dripper at the end of the microtube . the dripper is inserted into the grow bags.
then regarding your " treasure hunt" question.---- i couldnot find any thing wrong in ur drip set up[ now only i found the meaning for ergonomics] thank u. ok bye for now
Hi AK,
How you are providing the necessary nutrients to these plants when you have power problem, how many times per day you providing the nutrients, are they special nutrients, can you elaborate please if you have some time.
Thanks in advance,
4th crop? awesome!
Mr.Ak, plz start a cucumber growing experience post and i will join u there
i’ll post the pictures of my cucumber setup, once i am back, so u can help and guide me.
and yes, grow bags indeed, my mistake. so why grow bags? why not open soil beds?
and you have a polyhouse setup right ? cucumbers have like male and female plants, and need artificial pollination (not self pollination like capsicum) so what practise are you doing for that ?
Good day
viVek
You are welcome sir,
You have saved us a lot of time and frustration for us wannabies.
I felt you deserve minimally encouragement if not expertise support (though limited from my side).
i was just wondering, are u into textiles as well ? or is it the zeal and thirst in you?
Nope, I am into IT, Its just my physics graduation which directed that thought process.
@AK ,
Seems you are into hydroponic on cocopeat, Are you?.
My guess,
Shouldnt the Disc Filter be before the venturi system from input in your setup it could reduce the pressure downstream
as filtering is done after venturi.
hi Anand,
well… the disc filter will be after the venturi, incase you are sure that the fertigation (which is being injected via venturi) is pure and clean, and doesnt have any particles which would block the drip/fogger nozzels, then the venturi can be after the disc filter also. but normally, the drums get dirty, external dust accumulates etc so the filter will be in the last stage and control valves after that to direct the filtered water.
there is hardly any change in pressure before and after the filter, as my motor is 30 feet away from the filter, so the pressure is high.
the one and major thing wrong with the system is the “LAYOUT”
if you’ld see, theres this stone platform about 2.5 mtr x 2.5 mtr. which the drip installation fellow asked me to make (he specially said 2.5 mtr x 2.5 mtr). so i was like why… and he said for the venturi system and control valves etc. so i was like ok.
and after he did the installation, it looked fancy and wooed me. but when i actually started using the system i realized that i need looonggg hands to operate the system.
as the return valve is on one side (which i need to adjust to create required pressure), then the venturi system on the exact opposite side, and the drip control valves on the third side.
this all is ok… but why the hell did he want a 2.5 mtr x 2.5 mtr platform for that?? i have to go around and keep circling the platform every time.
so there are things i didnt pay attention to when the work was going on. plus i was like “oh, hes the expert, so he knows better” and lets just do as what he says.
this is really a very silly and a small mistake, but why should i tire myself when i can operate the whole process standing on one spot ?
i am doing some modifications in the system, will post the after picture with explanations.
Vivek
OFF-SHORE FISH CULTIVATION
i have a artificial water pond, which is my first and basic need for farming.
i always wanted to recur the expenses i made for the making of the pond via fish farming. but sadly due to leakages for the first 2 yrs of making, finally this year, the water level is stable.
so i had put some little baby fishies.
posting pictures with dates to know the progress.
Picture 1 - fish seeds (little baby fishes - 8-10 days young)
Picture 2 - fish attacked by bird and passed out
Picture 3 - fish we caught in a net, to see the growth.
Vivek
hello VIKS
i have just started fumigation in my 2 setups and will be preparing beds later on. Could you provide me the size of the beds and the walkway, that you found suitable for capsicum plantation. books suggest 90 cm of bed, it will be better if you share your experience about this and the tying system for plants that you use.
How are the capsicum plants tied ?
which stem to be tied and is it simply a single thread from top to the plant that holds it ? or is it a different complex system ?
If possible, please provide the pictures of the same.
THank you
Aman
Hello VIKS
First things first, thank you for explaining about the infection that might be caused due to the blade during pinching, great details.
I havent found this thing mentioned in any of the papers earlier, so a big thank you. It looks important.
also you mentioned about writing your day to day fertigation schedule and pesticides used, are you doing that ?
thought you forgot, because that will be great help to me as i would be interested in researching about which fertilizers and pesticide to be given when and their importance.
Thank you
Aman
Greetings Mr.Ak,
posting pictures of my cucumber plants (with the support/training system. the 3rd phase support (entangling) work is currently in progress.
plz advise on plant health, and anything you observe.
Picture 1 - new shootings are developing and need urgent attention. (WIP)
Picture 2 - after the shootings are attended (3rd support) is done.
Picture 3 - full height of 7.5 feet
Picture 4 - Close up of support system
Vivek
Hello VIKS
i saw this post today, and sure the (extra water valve) must be giving trouble to you. I understand the importance of it, as it is a key component to maintain pressure. When we start the foggers it is very important for a trained person to stand near the valve and maintain the pressure in the gauge as instructed because high pressure sometimes results into leakage of the foggers and also it may throw off the fogger from the line due to the pressure.
Question WHY DON’T WE USE MISTERS INSTEAD OF FOGGERS IN CAPSICUM CULTIVATION ?
thank you
Aman
Hello VIKS
i did cucumber plantation last year, which did gave me good results in the starting but the production got disturbed later on.
I found these factors which affected my productions majorly(hope this might help you in someways):
- I did not train my plants correctly which resulted in lack of aeration, decaying of leaves which were in contact with the ground, fast spread of virus and most important it almost covered my walkway due to which most of the flowers were damaged when the workers went through to clean, tie etc.
- Their was an attack of white fly, i gave the pesticides little late. also, when i applied the pesticide the worker did not spray on the bottom of the leaves (where these flies would mostly hide).
- After some harvest i started getting cucumber with bottle neck (i could not control that)
Hope this might help you later.
thank you
Aman