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Author Topic: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!  (Read 7841 times)

Radium

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Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« on: June 01, 2015, 08:21:41 PM »

Hi everyone,
My little balcony doesn't have any more space, and I decided to take some of my seedlings onto the rooftop.
I replanted the seedlings from their cup into a pot the size of a soccer ball, and placed them at the rooftop under full fuzzy sun to flourish.
The problem is the sly troublesome crows came again and uprooted the seedlings and shredded them to peaces before leaving them as a mess on the pot's surface.
I had the very same problem last year with C.sativa seedlings, but after the first crow raid, I covered the next seedlings with a big clear plastic disposable bowl placed on top of the seedlings, to allow them grow into scary sizes before letting them to meet our black neighbors; and that idea worked pretty well!

But this time I'm growing Ipomoea tricolor vines, and unlike C.sativa, on this plant the main stem never gets so thick to withstand any possible raids.

Got any ideas to crow-proof the vines?
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BubbleCat

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2015, 08:30:07 PM »

Have access to a fishnet or similar or can make one ? Then make a simple frame and drape your net over it, shall keep them crows away. Ypu could also bend small cages from wire for individual pots. Try a scarecrow albeit I never saw one that worked, anything that moves, best would be if it moves in unpredictable pattern, also consider tying strips of cloth in the wind. Also there is reflextive / mirror spheres or glass balls intendet to do the job via reflexion of sunlight. Same thing here:

"Take an old glass pop bottle, and sliding a metal rod down the bottle’s mouth, tap the bottom out.
Tie some string (I used 10-pound test nylon fishing line) around the bottle’s neck, and tie it to a pole.
Drop the other end of the string down through the mouth of the bottle and tie a 20d (20-penny) nail to it so it’s hanging halfway past the bottom edges of the bottle, like a bell clapper. (See photo.)
Tie another string to the bottom of the nail, and to that, tie a shiny pie-pan (I used one of those CD computer programs that come in junk mail-a good use for it, I think.)" Not my receipt.

When the romans invaded areas east of the rhine, people would sacrifice them and tie them to trees later, just saying.
If everything fails: A portrait of yours on ypur rooftop, ultima ratio, might get in trouble with greenpeace for violating animals right tho :P
« Last Edit: June 01, 2015, 08:41:42 PM by BubbleCat »
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Radium

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2015, 08:41:07 PM »

I love them despite their troublesome naughty ways of entertainment (killing seedlings for fun)
I don't want to kill any crows,
I'm even longing about having a pet crow/raven.
The net idea is the good idea.
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BubbleCat

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2015, 08:45:14 PM »

Its killing seedlings for food ;)

The latter two suggestions were jokes btw a dead crow will only attract another crow ;)
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Radium

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2015, 08:58:57 PM »

No they don't eat any of the seedlings,
They just snap the seedling and uproot it, and then leave it alone and fly away.
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New Wisdom

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2015, 09:49:18 PM »

They are probably looking for some leftover, easily digestible nutrients from the sprouted seed at the bottom of the seedling.  Kinda like alfalfa sprouts or something. Lol.

I would get some netting and make a little spot for your seedlings that's covered.   Maybe some shade cloth. Seedlings usually like shade cloth anyways.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2015, 09:51:58 PM by New Wisdom »
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ONandONandON

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2015, 10:14:20 PM »

Maybe if you left food for them, they wouldn't bother your pots. The netted pot idea sounds good. You could try a fake snake or owl.
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BubbleCat

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2015, 10:35:29 PM »

both, inanimate rubber snakes and plastic owl are perfect company for crows after they have a few suspicious looks at them. NW is right so far they love sprouts in fact they are gourmets. Idk about leaving food, if it works you will have to keep that service running or it will get worse meaning more crows will come and only find seedlings if you stop, if the plants havent outgrown seedling stage by then. I am not sure about feedibg habits ina group of crows, they appear rather selfish and agressive meaning if you attract many and the stronger ones bully others away they again have to go for your seedlings.

I still think physically locking them out is best so net or cage, also I would try the CD + music bottle device or several. Keep in mind they adapt quickly to new things that they initially feared.

Shading cloth depends on your sun intensity (I guess its pretty much) and the plants of course, some will even benefit in some way when mature, to get a better idea you might want to look at tobacco shading. Just keep in mind: your seedlings have to be protected in all directions, if theres just a tiny gap at the bottom they will simply not fly in but walk.
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ONandONandON

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2015, 10:40:59 PM »

Get a cat!   :)
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TBM

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2015, 02:49:11 AM »

Crows are too smart for cats I think, the cat will get one crow and then the rest of them will figure out a way around the cat! Here's a great video showing how smart they are: http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_klein_on_the_intelligence_of_crows#t-10939

BubbleCat

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Re: Rooftop + Seedlings + Crows = PROBLEM!
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2015, 02:54:29 AM »

The cat wont even stay on the roof in the sun voluntarely :) so I guess it was a humorous advice.
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