Exterior Vines?

[eosha]

It's been mentioned before, but I haven't yet heard any solid answers.

I'm pondering a dome covered in vines. MDI's tried it (http://static.monolithic.com/plan-desig ... pic08.html), but I'm curious as to the specifics. Anyone else done this?

Would some sort of undercoat (chainshell, etc) be necessary, or just the bare airform? The plants probably want something to climb; chainlink seems like it would work well.

For the botanists:
I'm pondering growing hops and raspberries on the outside. Would either of these present a particular problem (raspberry thorns vs. airform was my first thought). Any other ideas for climbing plants that would work well?

[Kevin Goebel]

Here are some pictures of the dome I took during the May 2006 workshop I attended. The MDI dome used chainshell to give the vines support.

http://www.kevingoebel.com/dome/monday/monday102.jpg
http://www.kevingoebel.com/dome/friday/friday178.jpg
http://www.kevingoebel.com/dome/friday/friday163.jpg

I'm no botanist, but questions I would consider are:

Where you are building - what vines flourish in your dome's region?

Height of your dome - can the vines haul water and nutrients to the height of the top, or should you have several planters around the dome with dirt and water reservoirs to give the vines a "leg up" in transporting water and nutrients to the peak of your dome?

Kevin


Seasonal changes - will the vines shed their leaves for winter and what will your dome look like then?

[angelofdodd]

If your going to do the rasberry vines,I would suggest growing one of the thornless varieties.A good non fruiting,evergreen,hearty vine for southern climes is confederate jasmine.It should'nt harm the airform,and when it blooms,the dome will be covered with pretty flowers,that smell awsome.Butterflies,and humming birds love it as well.I don't think climbing height would be a problem either.I've seen the stuff climb to the top of a power pole without any trouble.Matt

[DOME_OR_BUST]

I was just watching a show today on Planet Green Channel on the worlds largest green roof that has domes scattered on the roof and has a "many hills" appearance to it. They used coconut fibers on the top to have the plants that was used to create a habitat for the root system for the plants. They used all kinds of layers of other materials underneath to waterproof the roof and some egg shell trays to keep the water to water the root system to keep it from drying out. Seems like the coconut fibers really worked. They sell molded versions for pots and such at most stores like Lowes and Home Depot. Even at Wal-Mart also. I wonder if you could purchase them in sheets and weave them together?