|
Post by sundewlex on Apr 3, 2009 9:41:30 GMT -5
So I've been looking around at different planting mediums. I still have to re-pot my spatulata into a perlite/peat mix, but I've been having a hard time finding a small suply of clean peat. I keep thinking I should just use one of those peat pellets, but I worry if there's anything else in the mix. So I was wondering if anyone has tried using this stuff, sumi soil: www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=59368&cat=2,47236 or this stuff: www.watergelball.com/ProductShow.asp?ArticleID=137Also, it was suggested to me that when I pot stuff in my glass containers that I should put something mmore attractive around the outside of the pot, like pebbles. I'm not sure which pebbles I should use. Pebbles for fish tanks are coated in silica, and I don't know if that will affect the plants or not. And, does anyone have an opinion on using plastic pots or clay pots? if the pot is going to be surrounded by pebbles or something, then water could be absorbed through the sides of the pot, with the water level is kept high enough (I'm still not sure how high to keep the water levels, ideas?). Or am I better off sticking to plastic pots? Both my sundews from Canada Blooms are looking really good, lots of new growth and dew. Now to find more...
|
|
|
Post by mabudon on Apr 3, 2009 9:49:01 GMT -5
With gardening season starting, you should be able to get one of them "small" (I think it's a cubic metre, a little smaller than your standard blue/recycling box) bales of plain old peat fairly easily now- peat is hard to find over winter and trust me you WILL use it eventually, it won't go "bad" in the bag anytime in the next several decades if kept dry
Water levels- most plants aren't too picky- I like to top up my trays then leave them til they are almost dried out then repeat the cycle- some Utrics prefer a steady "deep" water supply, but most sundews don't mind fluctuating water levels
Plastic pots are by FAR the easiest, clay can promote salt buildup and also can hold fertilizers and other things that aren't good for the plants, and it increases evaporation as well. Also with plastic pots you don't have to worry about prettying them up
Hope that helps!!
|
|
|
Post by renesis on Apr 3, 2009 11:32:18 GMT -5
I would be a bit weary of using the peat pellets, a lot of them tend to add a few things like surfactants and more importantly lime to bring the pH up to a more acceptable level for other plants.
As mabudon said, peat season has just barely gotten underway and you should be able to find the small bales pretty soon.
|
|
|
Post by lloyd on Apr 3, 2009 14:11:10 GMT -5
There are bales of peat all over in my area. Peat pellets are good if you use the ones recommended for aquariums, just compressed peat but much more expensive than the bales. The ceramic balls are nice-I use them for my orchids. I have seen neps grown in them too, at Bustans in Toronto. The ceramic balls make for a very airy, well-drained medium, maybe too dry for CP's unless you water them daily. The gel is not a good idea, it requires an alkaline pH or it disintegrates which would burn CP roots.
|
|
|
Post by sundewlex on Apr 4, 2009 7:54:54 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! Lloyd, I had no idea about the gel's pH requirements! I'll go get a small bale of peat this weekend. And I'll go take pictures of my little guys. I think they are doing quite well. Once you see the set up, you guys can tell me what I'm doing right/wrong. Does anyone know of man made mediums that work well for sundews? I'm going to start another thread about lighting, as in what kind of bulb do I need and where do I find one (that fits in a regular socket). Thanks again!
|
|
|
Post by mabudon on Apr 4, 2009 9:28:50 GMT -5
Only reason there aren't many suggestions for alternate media is due to the effectiveness of peat/silica sand mixes (or peat/ perlite, peat/ vermiculite etc) All's the second ingredient is really for is to keep the peat from getting too dense, which is why "inert" neutral things are recommended most- the peat take care of the acidity and hold moisture really well without breaking down.
What I am saying is that peat-based mixes are generally foolproof (barring added crap in the peat)
|
|
|
Post by sundewlex on Apr 5, 2009 0:29:26 GMT -5
So I got my bale of peat, and I can re-pot now, but I'm wondering if now is the best time. I asked in my other thread as well, so I apologize for repeating myself, but here's my spatulata: He's grown a lot since I bought him. Should I re-pot him now? How do I get his old medium off of him? Thanks everyone!
|
|