New Plunge Beds

[Chris Stopher]

Hi, I've been gardening for years but am new to alpines. Just after some info please....

I've just installed 10" deep plunge beds inside the new greenhouse but not sure whether to line the aluminium beds or not?
I've read various blogs where some line the plunge beds (to protect aluminium from pitting) with pond liner or thick fleece and others just fill with sharp sand and drill holes in the new plunge beds and let excess water drain. Any thoughts?

Also, Is it advisable to water the plants in pots directly or because of the plunge bed system am I best to just keep the surrounding sand damp and let the clay pots soak in the water they require?

As a newby to alpines, any advice on plants to go for or to avoid in the beginning would be appreciated, thanks.

[brianw]

Commercial aluminium sheet corrodes in the presence of water. If you think you can keep it completely dry with pond liner go ahead, but in the long run water usually gets in between and you may make it worse. You may want to consider a sink type waste so you can flood and drain to water. Depends how you work. Some sands, assuming that is what you are filling it with, may corrode it quicker than others. Red sands high in iron are bad news. Try and get a light coloured high silica sand.

[Chris Stopher]

Thanks for the reply Brian.
The local sharp sand that I 'm going to use is fairly light coloured so hopefully wont be too bad but I'll have to give it some extra thought now

[ArnoldT]

I use a plunge made from stainless steel.

Went to a fabricator of kitchen supplies, vents and work surfaces..

Gave him the dimensions and he was able to put it together with little difficulty.

Put a drainage hole at one end and keep a cork in it.

Mix of gravel and sand.  Plunged clay pots in it.

[John85]

The easiest and cheapest is to paint the aluminium :sand it,apply the right primer and then the paint.
If done properly it will last for years.

[Chris Stopher]

Thanks Arnold, think maybe I should have thought it through a bit more before I jumped straight in, your set up sounds really good.

I guess its going to be a steep learning curve 

[Chris Stopher]

Hi John, that is probably the best way out now.
I've got a few days off next week so that will give me a chance to to look into it. I guess I only need to provide a bit of extra protection as long as I'm careful with the watering.