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Post by Peter on Oct 22, 2014 10:53:45 GMT 10
Good morning all.
I have three questions, if I may:
1) Is there a "shelf life" on bbq gas? A recent tidy-up of the shed revealed a 3/4 full, 9kg cylinder in the shed that's been sitting unused for almost a year. Does the gas go off?
2) I've been reading up lately on "square foot gardening" - which seems to make sense at least in theory. Does anyone have experience they'd like to share about this type of gardening?
3) Can anyone recommend a good reference on growing fruit trees in pots? I'm hoping to plant a few in underground pots; I'm hoping this will contain water closer to the roots and help limit weed growth.
Cheers.
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Post by SA Hunter on Oct 22, 2014 11:06:16 GMT 10
Hi Mr Pete - I can only answer question 1 from my own experience.
I have a 9kg gas bottle on our caravan, and it has been there almost 2 years, and so far have had no problems using it. Same with the one on our BBQ - over 12 mths stored, and ok.
Just make sure the fittings etc aren't rusty or leaking - pays to replace them when the bottle is completely empty if out of date.
Q2 & Q3, well, I'll pass on those!
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Oct 22, 2014 11:59:59 GMT 10
Question 1 - I recently finished my fathers old BBQ gas bottle which when I finished it would have last been refilled about 5 years ago, worked perfectly until empty. Now the problem is no one will refill it due to it's age.
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Post by pheniox17 on Oct 22, 2014 14:06:41 GMT 10
1) there is, but even when "stale" will still burn just not as hot if you get my drift
And I believe the life is years, even more if there is no o2 in the tank (so if the question is can you still use it, yes you can) just need to check seals etc
2+3) outside my league, i have a potted lemon tree that grows but dose not produse useable fruit if that helps
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Post by Peter on Oct 22, 2014 14:24:41 GMT 10
Thanks folks. I'll give the bbq gas a go once the storms we're expecting pass. I've also just noticed that I really should get a few more 9kg bottles - fuels of various types will be in short supply wtshtf.
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Ammo9
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Post by Ammo9 on Oct 22, 2014 14:39:34 GMT 10
3) By containing the water, you'll contain the roots and also constrain the size the trees will grow and therefore the amount of fruit you'll reap. If you're going to be planting them in the ground anyway, I personally wouldn't bother with the pots. But I'm definitely no expert
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Post by Peter on Oct 22, 2014 14:49:19 GMT 10
3) By containing the water, you'll contain the roots and also constrain the size the trees will grow and therefore the amount of fruit you'll reap. If you're going to be planting them in the ground anyway, I personally wouldn't bother with the pots. But I'm definitely no expert That makes sense. I suppose that focussing the water directly onto the roots will do the same thing. Not to mention saving me time and money. Fortunately it'll be at least a few weeks before I get to doing this - I've still got a heap of work to do in the area. |
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Oct 22, 2014 15:24:20 GMT 10
1) there is, but even when "stale" will still burn just not as hot if you get my drift And I believe the life is years, even more if there is no o2 in the tank (so if the question is can you still use it, yes you can) just need to check seals etc 2+3) outside my league, i have a potted lemon tree that grows but dose not produse useable fruit if that helps I should hope there is no O2 in the tank, otherwise you have both components for an accident. |
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krull68
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Post by krull68 on Oct 22, 2014 15:50:14 GMT 10
Growing fruit trees in pots is doable, you just have to look for the miniature trees, and make sure they are the potable ones.
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Post by Peter on Oct 22, 2014 16:18:24 GMT 10
I should mention - in case it makes a difference - I'm looking at growing the fruit trees as espalier (ie along horizontal wires). Yet another topic to add to the reading list...
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wolfstar
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Post by wolfstar on Oct 22, 2014 16:47:43 GMT 10
You could do it similar to bonsai perhaps, cut the tips of branches when you want to restrict length and force branching. Like trimming the trunk inhibits it's height.
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Post by pheniox17 on Oct 22, 2014 17:52:02 GMT 10
1) there is, but even when "stale" will still burn just not as hot if you get my drift And I believe the life is years, even more if there is no o2 in the tank (so if the question is can you still use it, yes you can) just need to check seals etc 2+3) outside my league, i have a potted lemon tree that grows but dose not produse useable fruit if that helps I should hope there is no O2 in the tank, otherwise you have both components for an accident. Small amounts of air get into the tank and makes the gas stale This was a convo not long ago (another forum) and someone that works with gas gave some good science info on it, I got air in tank accelerates the going off process  |
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Oct 22, 2014 19:17:19 GMT 10
must be very few PPM otherwise you could technically get combustion inside the tank.
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Post by happygolucky on Oct 25, 2014 8:50:00 GMT 10
Depends the size of your 'pots'. If its the small garden variety and its not a dwarf tree, the output is not going to be fantastic. Having said that, one of my neighbours planted an apple tree in one of those wholesale vegetable and fruit crates... the results are quite good.. he knows it won't be big but that's the way he wants it.
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