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Post by richardhole on Sept 15, 2010 19:17:52 GMT
Hello I read that it is worth washing peat and sand as indicated at www.growsundews.com/rinsing_peat_and_sand_for_carnivorous_plants.htmlHowever, there may be some types of peat and sand that can be bought with very few impurities in it and it may not need washing. I can buy Te-em brand locally and that is what is recommended for carnivorous plants. It is Canadian sphagnum based peat and it may not need washing like the other types. Also, I read that propagating sand is much better and that is what they recommend. It says that it is washed. If I can get that, it may not need to be washed. If ordinary sand is used they say to wash it well. Would you still suggest that I wash this Te-em peat moss or propagating sand? See the first 3 paragraph that are in green print at triffidpark.com.au/htm_pages/growing_carnivorous_plants.htmI did not notice where they suggest to wash the peat or sand if this type is used. I had been washing the peat and sand by putting a straining cloth in an open mesh tray and putting the peat and sand on top of that and then letting the hose run over it for about an hour to leach any impurities out. Your help is appreciated Regards Richard. |
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Post by peterhewitt on Sept 15, 2010 22:21:00 GMT
Whilst i am no expert, i handle a large number of plants going from TC on to sale size plants, and i go through a LOT of CP mix. I always wash the sand or perlite I'm using by placing in a large bucket and filling with RO water, wash the sand, rinse the brown water off. I usually rinse off three times.
I never wash or rinse the peat, unless i am using a sterilized medium. In this case i wash and microwave the peat for a short while.
I have not found it necessary though, with normal potting up.
I just wash and rinse the aggregate.
I find the Canadian TE-EM to be a superior peat with few contaminants.
This is my opinion only, and works for me.
It gets difficult to rinse or wash two or three bales of peat in a day (which is what i sometimes go through)
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Post by richardhole on Sept 17, 2010 18:48:51 GMT
Hello
A local nursery found that a local porous volcanic gravel is better than sand and they said it aires the soil more. You may find some info on it by doing a web search for ‘Mount Quincan gravel’
I am planning to wash the porous volcanic gravel in a sieve to remove the dirt. What size holes do you suggest the sieve have? I have some fly screens that were used on windows and they could be handy to wash the gravel by putting it on top of the screen and using a hose together with raking the gravel across the screen with my fingers to flush out the dirt and finer particles. I am not sure if fly screen would be too coarse as it has holes of about 1.5mm across in it. This would mean particles of gravel less than that size would be lost. However, would particles less than that size be of any value as coarse sand or gravel is recommended? The gravel is rated to have particles of about 5mm across, although many of them would be much smaller than this.
Your help is appreciated
Regards Richard.
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Post by peterhewitt on Sept 17, 2010 19:44:09 GMT
I think Volcanic gravel is used by many growers in Hawaii, with great success. As for micron size, I'm not sure. Perhaps one of our esteemed Long timers can chime in here.
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Post by richardhole on Sept 23, 2010 17:44:31 GMT
Hello
The 5mm Quincan gravel mixed up well with the peat. The nurseryman said it is better than sand because it does not go as slushy and muddy on the surface. My current mix with peat and sand goes slushy and muddy on the surface so hopefully the Quincan gravel mix may help overcome this.
I also have a lot of moss on the surface. Do you think it would be an advantage for me to put Sphagnum Moss on the top of the soil in the pot? It may help stop the other moss if that is not as good as Sphagnum on the top. Also, live Sphagnum is a good moisture indicator. However, it could cause a problem if it grows too fast as it may smother some smaller plants and grow above the crown. However, the other moss also does this to a point.
Your help is appreciated
Regards Richard.
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Post by peterhewitt on Sept 23, 2010 18:15:04 GMT
Hi Richard. I find that a top dressing of Sphagnum has many benefits from moisture indication to micro biological Activity. It does inhibit slime and other undesirables. You can also trim the moss if it starts to overgrow smaller plants.
My plants with a top dressing seem to thrive, and have fewer Fungus gnat problems as well. As they prefer decaying matter, rather than living tissue. Humidity is also increased round the crown.
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Post by richardhole on Sept 23, 2010 23:11:27 GMT
Hello
I heard that Sphagnum is anti fungal and beneficial so it would be worth trying. How deep a layer do you suggest on the top? Would I only put enough on to hide the surface? Do you also suggest that I take a few millimeters of soil of the surface so that the top of the sphagnum is level with the crown? Currently the top of the peat and gravel mix is level with the crown so if I did not take any soil off the top and add sphagnum the level would be above the crown.
Your help is appreciated
Regards Richard.
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Post by peterhewitt on Sept 24, 2010 13:27:47 GMT
MMm, I'm not sure Richard. I usually just take a few strands of living moss,, chop it in to 2cm pieces and place sparingly, covering the soil. The Moss will grow if conditions are good, so only a thin layer is necessary. Most of the crowns of my plants are a little lost in the living Sphagnum, until they get larger.(which does not take too long)
In the interim, i trim the excess if it gets too wild. If the moss grows well, it is an indicator that general conditions are good, so the plants should grow fast too.
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