Will Oak Barrels Soaked With Cabernet Harm Rhododendrons?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I found some very solid oak wine barrels that I want to use to plant rhododendrons. Unfortunately, the barrels were used for cabernet wine, and the insides are solid purple and stink of wine. Is this just an organic residue that will eventually fade away, or would this potentially harm a growing rhododendron? Is there any way to neutralize it?

I drilled a single 1.5" hole in the bottom of the barrel. Is that enough or should I be looking to put in a few holes on the extremities as well? Since rhododendrons have shallow roots, I am not so worried about the plant finding the drain hole and blocking it with root growth.

For the woodworkers out there: is there a trick to making it easier to drill a hole using a battery-powered 18V Dewalt drill? I had the right drill bit for a large wood hole, but it got quite hot and still took a while to drill. I could hose down the hole as the drilling takes place to cool things off. Is that recommended? What are best practices?

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westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author

6 years ago

@Jj J As long as the plant can still stand up, I am okay with that :)

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Comments (8)

Jj J
6 years ago
I think a Rhodie might be very.... happy?
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked Jj J
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tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
6 years ago
Oak is very hard wood and 1.5 inch bit is too much for a 18V drill. It is going to get hot. You need a power drill. Otherwise keep the bit cool and go slow. I have a can of water handy to dip the bit frequently in cold water.

Wine residue should not bother any plant I think.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
The wine residue is no problem at all. If anything, there might be some slight leaching of acetic acid, which the rhody should appreciate. And drill a few more holes if you can. When I used half whiskey/wine barrels for planting. I'd drill about a half dozen holes scattered across the base.

And be sure to fill it where you mean it to be permanently :-) I am used to dealing with large and very heavy planted containers but a filled and planted half wine barrel is going nowhere fast!!
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
6 years ago
@tropicofcancer What I ended up doing is putting a hose on a slow trickle and just immersing the drill area in water. That worked incredibly well and I only had the drill stop a few times, near the end.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
6 years ago
@gardengal48 I cannot believe how strong oak wood is, at least the 1.25" boards. This thing is a beast. $39 at Home Depot. :)
ShadyWillowFarm
6 years ago
I wood liked to be soaked with Cabernet.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked ShadyWillowFarm
luis_pr
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Oooh, Sniff, sniff. Ohhhh, Cabernet. I like it, alas, it is too early in the morning to be drinking wine. Sigh. Life is tough, man. Enjoy the project, westes.

https://balconygardenweb.com/diy-wine-barrel-ideas-garden/
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked luis_pr