Ever seen GAS coming out of your containers?

JackieB999 2/25/2013, 9:13 am

I'm really worried about this. There seems to be gasoline coming out of my potato planter. Any ideas? Might it be the plastic? Would you trash them? sobbing

Ever seen GAS coming out of your containers? 2013-013

mollyhespra 2/25/2013, 9:21 am

Two thoughts:

1- What does that liquid smell like? It looks like some sort of oily thing--does it smell like gasoline?

2- It may be that there was residual oil in the pores of that slab that rose to the surface when the water ran off the bottom of your pot. To be sure, clean off the bottom of your container & put it on a tray so that you can really see what's coming out of it.

HTH & good luck.

JackieB999 2/25/2013, 12:48 pm

Thanks Molly. I just remembered back when I had a compost mite problem that I was spraying (mostly) the sides of the container and dirt with an organic blend of rosemary and clove oils. It's probably from the oils, I cant figure out what else it would be. That area of the concrete never sees any equipment. Does anyone think or maybe have seen herb oils to be colored like gasoline?

mollyhespra 2/25/2013, 1:18 pm

I think all oils will have that irridescent quality to them when in a thin layer over water or some other non-oily fluid because they tend to separate. Did you try smelling the liquid?

JackieB999 2/25/2013, 2:39 pm

I didn't smell it but I have a good excuse. I had surgery on my foot and I cant get up and down very well today. I think you're right tho... all oils probably give the irradescent streaks. Thanks for helping me work it out Ever seen GAS coming out of your containers? 3170584802

Ever seen GAS coming out of your containers? 3170584802

mollyhespra 2/25/2013, 2:44 pm

Glad to help.

plantoid 2/25/2013, 4:42 pm

Even non contaminated decaying compost usually produces plant oils especially if your composting flowers and brassicas .

All seven of my compost bins have given an irridiscent skin over water around the bottom of the bin & they were full of finsihed compost back in august last year.
As the compost in the planted tub ages and decays more you still get it for several months .

Bees love it by the way , I'm sure it must contain something usefull for the hive /nest especially during the first few warm days of the year..

Triciasgarden 2/26/2013, 2:35 am

JackieB999 wrote:I didn't smell it but I have a good excuse. I had surgery on my foot and I cant get up and down very well today. I think you're right tho... all oils probably give the irradescent streaks. Thanks for helping me work it out

Well take it easy with your foot so you can recover quickly and be in top form for gardening and all the other things you enjoy!

Triciasgarden 2/26/2013, 2:36 am

plantoid wrote:Even non contaminated decaying compost usually produces plant oils especially if your composting flowers and brassicas .

All seven of my compost bins have given an irridiscent skin over water around the bottom of the bin & they were full of finsihed compost back in august last year.
As the compost in the planted tub ages and decays more you still get it for several months .

Bees love it by the way , I'm sure it must contain something usefull for the hive /nest especially during the first few warm days of the year..

That's cool and interesting!

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Ever seen GAS coming out of your containers?

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