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Post by Dennis Z on May 31, 2014 16:45:14 GMT -5
I have been using pure peat moss for one of my VFTs for about a month and it's been growing quite well. I have read about it being bad to use pure peat moss because it isn't aerated and holds too much water but I haven't had any problems so far. My question: What is the best "mix" for CPs?
Also something to keep in mind about Premier Peat Moss is that it often has large chunks of wood, wood fibers, sticks and even stones mixed in with it. I use it for my VFT but I do advise to shake the peat until the large objects come to the surface (Granular Convection) and remove any harmful objects that may leach minerals into the peat such as stones.
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Post by lloyd on May 31, 2014 19:20:55 GMT -5
I never liked pure peat. It's much easier to wet peat when it is mixed with something else like perlite or gritty sand. It doesn't seem to compact as much when it is mixed with something else and many plants seem to do better in the long run with a mixed, more aerated medium. That being said there is a lot of variation in practice and success or failure. Other factors such as the species/environmental conditions/watering schedules/type of water will probably interact with the soil medium.
The best peat is the type that comes in compressed cubes. It will have a relatively small amount of plant debris. Avoid the brands with large chunks of wood and any with stones are trash for CP's.
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Post by hal on May 31, 2014 21:40:36 GMT -5
Depends on the family/genus, but 50/50 peat/perlite is a good all-purpose CP mix. I buy big bales of Premier for the garden and keep some in a plastic container inside for my CPs. If you lay the bale down and slit the top then pour in a few watering cans full of rainwater the peat will get wet in a few days and then it's much easier to handle. Lots of sticks and chunks of wood in it, but I haven't found any stones yet.
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Post by Dennis Z on Jun 1, 2014 8:11:18 GMT -5
Where do you get your perlite? I've only found the miracle gro perlite in my area which is obviously deadly to CPs.
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Post by LAKJP on Jun 1, 2014 8:56:38 GMT -5
In stores such as Home Depot, Reno Depot, Canadian Tire, garden centers, etc.
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Post by bonfield on Jun 1, 2014 11:48:31 GMT -5
I get quite a few of my supplies from the local hydroponics store.
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Post by Dennis A(cook1973) on Jun 1, 2014 12:55:03 GMT -5
I used to use pure peat moss and plants did ok I could not find Perlite so a friend told me he used rinsed aquarium gravel I tried this mix and the plants did better in it! He used to grow weed,he has MS so he comprised and experimented a lot til he had what seems to work well on weed plants,house plants ad VFT's !! he told me to try it on Sundews but I am not prepared to lose them if this mix don't work he did hydro and aquaponics which he seems to favor.
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Post by LucST on Jun 1, 2014 13:58:27 GMT -5
I'm always amazed that so many of you cannot find perlite. Almost any garden store or big box hardware store (Can Tire or Home Depot) carries it, and I've only found federalized stuff once.
As for keeping dust down a quick rinse of some of the media works well others will make you life difficult. I just poked holes in my perlite bag and filled it with water. Then added it to the peat and it was the perfect wetness to use and handle.
I'd rinse sand and perlite and avoid rinsing peat. I'm not too sure about vermiculite I've only used it premixed at the nursery, if you are using it straight away then it make sense but it does expand when wet so storing wet it for a period may be silly.
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Post by Dennis A(cook1973) on Jun 1, 2014 14:15:41 GMT -5
I always take the pot or pots measure materials out and rinse that way you don't end up with a brick Perlite is hard to find here cause construction or road crews use it and buy whatever they find, often before we even know stores even had it! that's my main reason for looking for alternatives.
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Post by canuk1w1 on Jun 3, 2014 8:29:06 GMT -5
... I'm not too sure about vermiculite I've only used it premixed at the nursery, if you are using it straight away then it make sense but it does expand when wet so storing wet it for a period may be silly. +1. Vermiculite breaks down in a soil mix (to a substance with a basic pH, i.e. over 7). You'll want to keep it dry until using it or you will need to repot even faster. FWIW, #8 sand seems to be a good perlite replacement. It is about the same size as small perlite. Much heavier yes and it doesn't hold water but it doesn't break into pieces either and will be easy to recover after repotting.
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Post by amanitovirosa on Jun 11, 2014 22:39:48 GMT -5
...#3 Silica Sand, from Bell & Mackenzie, they're actually out of Hamilton, by the bay, 20 minutes from me. I just got 2 bags today. Primo, it will not break down, and it is very easy to wash because it's quite coarse, about 1/8" - 1/4". I was using their finer sand before but it's a pain in the ass to wash. This #3 sand is much easier to work with and my plants should be much happier because it will aerate better. Cheers!
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Post by ilikewhatido on Jun 13, 2014 17:24:22 GMT -5
I use sand/peat mix, 100% peat, and 100% long fibre sphagnum. Never had success with peat/perlite mix for some reason. 100% lfsm seems to work the best for me.
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Post by Maiden on Jun 13, 2014 20:07:30 GMT -5
Sundews(sa)/Sarracenia/Stylidium = 50/50 peat/perlite
Vfts, genlisea = 100% LFS
Nepenthes = 75/25 Orchids mix/peat
Heliamphora/Cephalotus = 25/25/25/25 peat/oak bark chunk/coconut husk/chopped lfs.
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