I’ve noticed that most of the plants at the Space don’t look like they are doing so well. In fact, some of them appear to be dead. What’s the plan for them?
I personally have never had luck with plants. But they are life affirming things and let’s entertain their presence at the space.
Here are some ideas to rehabilitate our leafy decorations:
- Plastic Plants - problem solved
- Watering Schedule - Work with the Bio committee to track and water the plants?
- Lighting - Maybe they are just in an inappropriate environment; rotate them in and out of the Bio area?
- Cyber Plants - Can we fit them with equipment that will make tweets or post to discourse when their water is low? Probably expensive but could be fun
I am totally willing to chip in for a watering can and basic supplies. I should be up at the Space on Thu night and Sat.
Actually, I was referring to the plants in the Bio area.
I will ask Andrew Floyd as I see him and offer help.
Parents are in town tomorrow Thu night, so I won’t make the DMS open-house. 
I will probably be by the Space sometime tomorrow and can take a look at the plants then. The ones in the tent I believe have gone dry a few times, and while the bulk of the plants are still alive, there is likely a lot of dead stuff to prune back.
I tried to contact Andrew to get an update, but haven’t heard anything. If we need to start watering things on a regular basis we should work together so we’re not over or under watering things.
Those not-so-lively plants are part of a different watering system that may have had some problems. That is supposed to be an automatic watering device I believe. I’ll talk to Andrew about either getting it cleaned up or putting in a different system.
On the other hand, the aquaponics system, while being built up, is healthy. I checked the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and pH last night and it is in that stage of zero ammonia and zero nitrites and perfect level of nitrate. We have just added a full spectrum HID lamp and will be expanding that system or adding another.
Thanks Rice.
I will visit the space tomorrow (Sunday). I will pick up a clipboard on my way in and see if I can find a place where we can hang it for a watering schedule. I venture that will help us organize the effort.
FYI... There are quite a few very large black fly looking flying critters hanging out under the heat lamps... No idea what they are. They are non-aggressive, but plentiful... Might need to look into a bio-friendly way to encourage them to move back outdoors.
Kill them and dispose of them outside? 
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Those insects are black soldier flies. They are feeding on some of the dead plants and are attracted to the HID lamp.
I’m not saying we want them buzzing all over the area, but they are a beneficial insect that seeks out composting vegetation. Their wasp like appearance is a mimicry that they have evolved to but they are harmless and can’t bite or sting. If we were to contain them in a small composting area, their larvae are used to feed fish and reptiles. There is lots of stuff on how to do that and some folks culture them for that reason. Also, they somehow prevent housefly infestation and are used in some greenhouses, etc to kill off these and other flying insects.
If we get rid of the dead vegetation, they will go away. They only live about 3 days and won’t be able to propogate.
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I added a clipboard, notepad and pen to the bio area to help call out and log maintenance in that area (in general, not just for this topic). I will check the clipboard when I visit to see if there is anything I can do to chip in.
Not wanting to overly grief on the soldier flies, but they best begone in my opinion. Let them atrophy naturally, but if they are still around in a few days I might take a shop vac to them.
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The soldier flies would be welcome in an enclosed greenhouse area but I’m not too keen on the open-air swarms. Some of the new visitors to VECTOR have been a little freaked out by them. Also they’re kind of dying around/in the equipment and machines.
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Maybe we should have some sort of bio meeting at some point so we can make sure things like watering plants are covered. I know Andrew is busy, but if he can let us know what,if anything, he needs done then we can make sure it’s taken care of.
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I brought in a Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper plant that has been trained in a tree shape. It has several ripening peppers for those that are willing to blow their taste buds.
Feel free to do what you wish with it. It was going to freeze in my warehouse anyway and I have several larger specimens. The peppers dry very well. Just don’t put them in your pocket!
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That’s awesome. Do you have any more you’re looking to get rid of? I’d love to have one for my house.
I wholeheartedly approve of this plant. I would like to recommend its adoption by the Bio Committee.
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I have a larger non-tree specimen that you are welcome to. They don’t really make great house plants as they need lots of light.
It would survive well but would not produce flowers/fruit. But in the spring you could move it back out in the spring.
Also have Black Habaneros and Yummy Orange peppers (no heat at all).
Lampy
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I’m sorry to hear about this issue. We’re working on a way to contain them and even use them for some applications.
I finally figured out how to get onto this thing so I’ll be around and more responsive from now on.
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I think immediate eradication would be preferable to eventual containment/use. This seems like a basic hygiene/professionalism thing that should be resolved ASAP.