Vine Virgin

[xiphidius]

Hi
I have just joined the forum and I have a zillion and one questions whizzing around in my head so I might as well start...I live in the UK and plan on growing my initial vine in the greenhouse in a large 90 litre trough filled with a mix of large gravel, horse manure and commercial compost....it will be positioned on the floor, obviously, but I have no glass at floor level (18" wooden perimeter cladding) Will it get enough light? to grow and be trained through the wooden internal staging to the wires I have created the first being approx.36" from the base of the plant (the plant at present is about 18" tall)...

 

[dwhill40]

Since you have a completely controlled environment why wouldn't you emulate real soil? A couple of inches of pea gravel since it is a big pot then a sandy clay subsoil for a foot or two then a sandy loam with a little compost for your topsoil. The recipe you mentioned above will make for a pretty vine but perhaps unbalanced. Vines are aggressive and will grow like a monster in too rich soil. Shoot for a ph of 6 to 7. You also will need to accommodate/simulate the dormant phase of the life-cycle come fall and winter.

 

[xiphidius]

Ah...I must dig in some sand and gravel then.....I may have over nutrified the whole thing...not to worry its still in its clay pot for now whilst I got prepared so all is not lost at this stage...thank you for your prompt reply...I think I was smothering the plant with kindness hahaha...when really they like a bit of rough or so it seems ...I will try to get my pH to around 6.5 slightly acidic to neutral if I can.

Thanks again
Regards
C