|
Post by nesky on Jun 16, 2017 16:12:04 GMT -5
Quick questions for you guys, if im doing a 50/50 peat and sand mix for my drosera seeds, is it okay if I use play sand? or is that to fine? or is there any other suggestions?
Oh i will also be transplanting a butter wort, would that be okay for them to?
Thank ya!
|
|
|
Post by lloyd on Jun 16, 2017 16:29:36 GMT -5
Use peat/perlite instead for both.
|
|
|
Post by nesky on Jun 16, 2017 16:33:54 GMT -5
thank Lloyd, thats what i thought and thats what ive been using, but i was talking to a prof at the school I work at, and she said that perlite tends to go green and growws algae.
That is what ive noticed. All my seed pots have green stuff growing on the white perlite. what does that mean? is it to humid?
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by lloyd on Jun 16, 2017 22:50:33 GMT -5
Green is ok.
|
|
|
Post by nesky on Jun 17, 2017 9:24:05 GMT -5
okay thank god... thanks a bunch Lloyd, I appreciate your input. With my pots with seeds being in a Ziploc bag under my lights, is that to humid?
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by WillyCKH on Jun 17, 2017 10:44:07 GMT -5
That sounds fine. Algae is okay unless they start taking over for some reasons like too much nutrients in soil. I like perlite better than sand because they are lighter, easier for the plants' roots to go around.
|
|
|
Post by nimbulan on Jun 17, 2017 10:59:49 GMT -5
I've never had algae issues with perlite myself - it's going to come from the peat if anything. Rinsing the peat can help reduce that problem though.
As for sand vs perlite, I prefer sand for seeds since I always worry that the large chunks of perlite are going to "beach" seeds and prevent them from germinating. I also find it more difficult to provide a smooth soil surface so seeds don't disappear into little crevices with perlite.
|
|
|
Post by RuBisCO on Jun 17, 2017 11:13:04 GMT -5
I have switched from perlite to pool sand. I like that it makes a more uniform media and find it is a little nicer to work with.
|
|
|
Post by nesky on Jun 17, 2017 12:43:32 GMT -5
Hmmm, so it sounds like everyone has their own sorta preference. I guess since I already have perlite, ill stick with that for now and see where it takes me.
|
|
|
Post by hal on Jun 17, 2017 23:51:27 GMT -5
You can't go wrong with 50/50 peat and perlite. The only problem with perlite is it floats and can be a pain in the arse when top watering. But dews are usually in a tray of water so it's not an issue. You should also top dress with some live sphagnum moss, and wild moss will eventually colonize the substrate.
You can fine tune with experience. Sand is heavy. I've never had much success with it, other than using very coarse stuff - almost gravel - for pings.
|
|
|
Post by nesky on Jun 18, 2017 7:55:37 GMT -5
i put my capensis under my lighting setup and have it in a water tray with 50/50 peat and perlite and its growing like crazy, im so happy!
Thanks Hal!
|
|