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Post by mobile on Oct 22, 2011 17:19:13 GMT
A number of weeks ago I brought my Cephalotus in from outside, the largest of which had a flower stalk which had finished flowering. Being rather lazy, I decided to just pull the stalk out, rather than cut it, which resulted in me pulling out a length of rhizome, a pitcher and some leaves with it. I didn't really care as to whether the rhizome rooted or not, as it's just a typical, so I decided to try another growing medium experiment. We have a pet hamster and we use a by-product of the paper making industry as a bedding for it, that being a high temperature dried wood pulp. This material is absorbent and fibrous, which sort of reminds me of fibrous peat, so I decided to pot the rhizome in that. Figuring that it would probably offer very little in the way of nutrient or anything else beneficial, I decided to make a 'starter' solution to water it with so mixed some molasses, a vitamin tablet, Trichoderma and mycorrhizal powder into deionised water and gave the wood pulp a good watering with it after planting the rhizome. I top water the plant with deionised water most of the time but occasionally add some of the 'starter' solution. Within a week or so of planting new leaves were visible and within the next few weeks more have appeared:    As molasses are sugar, there is obviously a risk of unwanted fungal growth, though I'm hoping that the Trichoderma and mycorrhizal keep it at bay. There is also a chance that these they will digest the cellulose in the wood pulp, thus breaking it down. Time will tell, but as it's been growing well for a good number of weeks I decided to share the results. UPDATE: Exactly one week later from the above pictures being taken it has started pushing out a pitcher:  |
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Post by bluemax on Oct 26, 2011 7:36:03 GMT
Very interesting, Mobile. It looks very healthy and I see no signs of fungus, which I would've guessed would be a problem using this medium. They're showing good color yet I don't even see any algae. Perhaps the Trichoderma has it all under control? What is the name of this product? Perhaps it is available here in the states.
- Mark
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Post by mobile on Oct 27, 2011 17:56:26 GMT
Perhaps the Trichoderma has it all under control? What is the name of this product? Perhaps it is available here in the states. It's just Trichoderma atroviride, which I believe is available in the States. I don't know if I can post links to commercial sites on here, so I'll send you a PM. |
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Post by bluemax on Oct 28, 2011 4:43:44 GMT
I understand that posting links to commercial sites is allowed on this forum - as long as it isn't blatant advertising!
Can you tell me the name of the paper product you are using as the medium?
- Mark
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Post by mobile on Oct 28, 2011 5:34:27 GMT
Can you tell me the name of the paper product you are using as the medium? Hi Mark, I could tell you the product but you will not be able to obtain it in over there. The nearest equivalent that I know is available in the States is 'Carefresh Natural Pet Bedding', though it is not exactly the same and I think the particle sizes of that are smaller. |
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Post by gardenofeden on Oct 28, 2011 11:29:39 GMT
I love your experimental approach to potting composts Carl, great to explore alternatives to peat. I have my own suspicions as to how this experiment might turn out having tried some "inert" biologically derived materials like fern fibre and lawn moss in the past... but would be happy to be proved wrong!
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Post by mobile on Oct 28, 2011 19:38:23 GMT
I have tried quite a few experimental growing mediums and systems. I currently have three running - a VFT in pine needles:peat, a Heliamphora in a flood and drain hydroponic system and this one. In the past I have tried totally inert mediums and while short term they seems to perform good, over the long term growth slows down. I suspect that they are simply using their reserves in order to survive but when these have gone there is nothing to replenish them. For this reason I have started to experiment with organic nutrients in otherwise inert mediums.
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Post by Aidan on Oct 28, 2011 23:01:11 GMT
I have my own suspicions as to how this experiment might turn out... Harvesting toadstools? ;D |
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Post by gardenofeden on Oct 29, 2011 13:36:16 GMT
indeed
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Post by mobile on Oct 29, 2011 15:30:04 GMT
We'll see.
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stevebooth
Full Member
Happy to be here
Posts: 140
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Post by stevebooth on Nov 3, 2011 13:13:14 GMT
Afternoon all
Perhaps an occasional spray with a systemic fungicide may prove benificial?
Cheers
Steve
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Post by mobile on Nov 3, 2011 14:35:53 GMT
Afternoon all Perhaps an occasional spray with a systemic fungicide may prove benificial? Cheers Steve Hi Steve, Unfortunately, that would kill the Trichoderma and mycorrhizals I have added. |
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Post by Aidan on Nov 3, 2011 20:10:55 GMT
Unfortunately, that would kill the Trichoderma...Which as a soil borne fungus is likely dead anyway. ...and mycorrhizals I have added. is not thought to form mycorrhizal relationships. mycorrhizas.info/nmplants.html |
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Post by mobile on Nov 3, 2011 21:10:18 GMT
Unfortunately, that would kill the Trichoderma...Which as a soil borne fungus is likely dead anyway. Trichoderma can grow directly on wood: botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/nov2004.htmlMore specifically, Trichoderma atroviride which is the strain I use, has been isolated from decaying wood: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18720503...and mycorrhizals I have added. ' likely to be NM' is not scientifically conclusive. |
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Post by Aidan on Nov 3, 2011 23:12:52 GMT
Touché. But equally, you will be unable to say if either additive (supposing they do survive the environment) have any beneficial effect.
I look forward to seeing the final outcome.
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