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Post by hal on Sept 2, 2011 22:41:46 GMT -5
Anyone know where I can get clay pellets in Toronto?
I've read that P. moctezumae likes alkaline clay soils, constantly wet so I'm going to try it with my plant, which has never seemed to thrive.
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Post by 31drew31 on Sept 2, 2011 23:05:36 GMT -5
Hey Hal by clay pellets do you mean hydroton? If so any hydroponics store sells them, usually 10-50L bags.
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Post by hal on Sept 2, 2011 23:26:31 GMT -5
I don't know what hyrdroton is and I sure don't need 10-50L! I'm just looking for a clay-based soil. Everything around here is sand.
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Post by 31drew31 on Sept 2, 2011 23:35:33 GMT -5
I've been using shultz APS for my pings and so far has been great. I've used pure APS, APS/perlite, and APS/perlite/sand with the top cm pure perlite which is my favorite. I bought the bag at Home Depot. Been using this mix for about 4 months so not very long but so far it's great. Hydroton is the expanded clay pellet you see people using with orchids. Hydroton: greenleafsupplies.com/images/Hydroton.jpgAPS (same as turface): www.cypripedium.de/forum/soilmaster.jpg
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Post by hal on Sept 2, 2011 23:58:36 GMT -5
Thanks, drew. I'll get me some APS and maybe get this moctezumae going.
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Post by H2O on Sept 3, 2011 0:02:31 GMT -5
Diatomite is another option to try, I know my local hydroponics store has some, works great for anything that needs a higher pH
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Post by 31drew31 on Sept 3, 2011 0:02:34 GMT -5
I will warn you when you rinse it, it makes a popping/hissing noise. I read about it and seems to be normal. I was quite confused the first time it did it to me.
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Post by bonfield on Sept 3, 2011 0:14:43 GMT -5
Would white marble be a viable option? It's alkaline, and is sold in various grades at Home Depot, landscape supply, etc.
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Post by hal on Sept 3, 2011 0:24:03 GMT -5
I have a patio covered in limestone screenings so a substrate with low PH isn't a problem. In fact I've added some limestone to a few of my Ping pots including the moctezumae. But it doesn't seem to have done much so I'd like to try some clay. And I guess it should be calcareous clay.
I'll look for some of Drew's pop rocks. APS = Aquatic Plant Soil I think?
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Post by bonfield on Sept 3, 2011 0:30:11 GMT -5
Maybe an excavation company would be willing to contact you the next time they have to remove large deposits of clay, or a landscape supply/gravel pit may also be able to help/answer questions regarding a good source!
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Post by 31drew31 on Sept 3, 2011 0:36:47 GMT -5
You got it Hal!
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Post by renesis on Sept 3, 2011 11:54:22 GMT -5
Hey Hal,
What kind of limestone did you use?
There is calcitic lime, and dolomitic lime. If you used dolomitic limestone [CaMg(Co3)] the calcium is mostly bound up, as the presence of magnesium prevents uptake of calcium in the roots.
If you have calcitic lime, [CACO3], MUCH more calcium is made available to the plant.
Hope this helps, as I think I have some moctezumae in TC as well
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Post by hal on Sept 3, 2011 16:49:00 GMT -5
I'm not sure if it's calcitic or dolomitic. It came in a bag called "limestone screenings". I guess if it's local it will be mostly dolomitic from the Bruce Penninsula?
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Post by nwflytrap on Sept 8, 2011 20:58:11 GMT -5
If you can't find the aquatic plant soil Hal, let me know. I have about 300lbs of it that I used to use in many of my aquariums. It's sitting in various buckets collecting dust at the moment.
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