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Post by italoamericano on Apr 4, 2008 23:52:31 GMT
Hi Everyone,
While potting my VFTS last month, I went ahead and compacted the growing media (Sphagnum Peat Moss and Silica Sand) very, very tightly. Now I'm wondering, will the roots of my VFTS be able to get enough moisture from the growing medium?Do roots of VFT just keep searching for water no mater how tight the soil is?I fear that the roots of my VFTS will have a hard time seeking water with the growing medium compacted so closely together.
Thank you in advance for any useful information!
Giovanni
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Post by Not a Number on Apr 5, 2008 0:22:49 GMT
It's probably not a problem but if it worries you than take a toothpick or some such object and gently and slowly push it straight down into the media around the plant at intervals. Take care not to poke the rhizome/corm and a gentle touch should just push any roots out of the way.
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Post by Alexis on Apr 5, 2008 11:32:21 GMT
Roots can push through very very hard material. Water won't be a problem - they don't have to tap into sitting water.
A looser mix is better for maintaining a bit of oxygen, but peat compacts naturally over time and is usually low in oxygen anyway.
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Post by italoamericano on Apr 5, 2008 17:27:23 GMT
Thank you for your very useful information!
Currently I water my VFTS from above. Is this okay or should I use the tray method also? When my peat/silica sand mix dries it seems to get really hard and compact.
Thank you again.
Giovanni
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Post by ICPS-bob on Apr 5, 2008 17:46:34 GMT
I have watered my VFTs from above for decades. My primary reason is that I use marginally good tap water and flushing water through the pot reduces mineral buildup. This works for me, but may not be recommended for others. My advice is to experiment until you find what works for you. The only problem that I have noticed is that the water can inadvertently trigger some traps.
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Post by italoamericano on Apr 5, 2008 17:58:48 GMT
Thank you for your post.
I like to water from above because this lets me know when my VFTs have had enough water but you also have a very good point about reducing mineral buildup. When water starts dripping from the drainage holes, I know my VFTs have had enough and I do not water again until the soil is barely wet.
With the tray method, it is very hard to determine when my VFTs have had enough water. Also, I've never triggered a trap watering from above but I have gotten water into the crown(Part where all the new VFTs grow from) is this okay?
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Post by ICPS-bob on Apr 5, 2008 18:11:34 GMT
It is OK to get the plant wet. I think the trap triggering may be due to the temperature differential between the water and the trap rather than to mechanical disturbance of the trigger hair. It only happens when the water floods over a trap.
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Post by jj1109 on Apr 22, 2008 0:50:26 GMT
The only question i have about that statement, Italoamerican, is that VFT seem to grow just fine in the wild with rain falling on them and wetting the crown, so why can't we do it?  cheers, JJ |
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Post by waldobrits on May 8, 2008 9:20:10 GMT
Well first off Rain is a very nice way to clean old dead bugs out of the traps....Or thats natures way of doing it.....
I also always water my Cps from the top... Never from the bottom and i have no problems....What i found is that most growers grow there plants in very tiny pots....that dont work for me at all....( and every thing is grown outside) My pots for all my pc's are about 5-9 inches deep and 8 by 20 inches ....this way i know there is a lot of moisture in the ground all the time and the roots have plenty of space...and i dont get a build-up of chemicals from the water at all, i only have some trays at the bottom and they are only about a 1/2 inch deep (most of the time they are dry). Only problem if it rain real hard the top soil is a mess and i have you clean the traps a bit ....but its not a real problem.
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