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Post by Syble on Jan 16, 2008 10:26:49 GMT -5
I know many of us use this for our plants, just wondering if anyones found any problems? I have the one that comes in the brown paper bag #2040 (not that i know what that means). Bell & makenzie make it i guess... I've been using a heavier sand/peat mix for my cephs. well I've noticed that the green live sphagnum that i root the cuttings in once potted up will get hard tops and brown off, with i would guess a salt deposit of some sort... no idea what its about because i'm still using the same rain water source. I was looking the plants over today and 2 of my ceph cuttings are in decline... getting pretty concerned now! Anythoughts? and no i have no meters or anything to test with. Thanks Sib
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Post by Rick Hillier on Jan 16, 2008 10:55:30 GMT -5
Is that the same stuff I got last year at Jay's?
Most of the stuff I have planted in it seems to be doing okay, but I find that I need to keep the water level around the pots quite a bit higher than normal unless the plant has set deep roots within the pot.
I find that the growing medium tends to be much drier than if I had used pure peat moss, so I could see sphagnum drying out to a point where it might get grouchy if used as a top dressing.
Is there a possibility that the cephs just didn't appreciate being transplanted?
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Post by Syble on Jan 16, 2008 12:56:21 GMT -5
I think its the same thing ver batum that jay uses. But I don't think its a dryness thing, infact i know its not. I'll try and snap some photos, but the moss isn't drying out and becomming a shell, its being filled up and built up with something (i have to imagine salts), and is completely full and solid a the growth tips. Thanks Sib
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Post by lloyd on Jan 16, 2008 13:08:53 GMT -5
If you feel like sending me a small sample of sand or moss or whatever in a little baggy, I can wash it in distilled water and check the TDS of the wash water. I think an ounce or two would fit in a non-standard letter mail for about $2. I can check water samples too if they don't leak in transit.
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Post by vraev on Jan 16, 2008 15:24:04 GMT -5
One thing is for sure....cephs do not appreciate being transplanted. No matter how careful u are. I am comparing them to VFTs by the way which never show transplant shock and start growing on day 2 as if nothing happened. Ceph roots are a lot finer as they branch and any breakages are detected and it for the most part.... on average takes atleast a month to get back to growth. Ofcourse there are exceptions. About sand....Idon't know much as I have never used it....btu I have never seen anyone use sand where LFS is growing. Maybe becos...lfs needs a good amount of humidity and moisture and sand simply doesn't cut it.
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Post by Syble on Jan 16, 2008 20:15:13 GMT -5
Can you pm me your address lloyd, I'd like to take you up on your offer! I'll send you a sample of the moss, and any other possible contaminates, how much would you need to test (amount wise). Vraev, it's not a transplant issue, these guys are started in LFS cubes, which are transplanted at first pitcher opening to the pots, the whole cube goes and the soil is built up round it, not squished together, gennerally speeking they've been doing fine, till very recently. Thanks Sib
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Post by vraev on Jan 16, 2008 22:34:52 GMT -5
hmmm..... I guess I don't have the experience to answer that one for ya Syb. Sorry! Hopefully you can figure it out.
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