|
Post by unclemasa on Nov 14, 2008 12:24:50 GMT -10
Joe .... "Cinder" is the same as "scoria". The volcanic cinder here in Hawaii comes in red and black. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Scoria_AmsterdamIsland_5.jpg/180px-Scoria_AmsterdamIsland_5.jpgAlthough some growers argue about differences between the two ( .... red is higher in iron(?)) growers I know here have experimented and have found no difference in culture. I grow so many plants that I have standardized my potting mix, pots, fertilizers, shade etc. I do not do a lot of experimentation with potting mixes. My mix consists of cinder, med. coco chips, some peat in the form of ProMix and sometimes some added med. perlite. This has worked for me and I am slow to change something that is working. On the other hand, if, I had to eliminate one ingredient in my mix then, it would be the coco chips. I don't have a real problem with rapid decomposition of the coco ( .... about 20% of the mix) but ultimately it is the first thing to break down in the long term. I do not use sphagnum any longer other than live sphagnum as top dressing to keep weeds down and make the pot look lush. I would assume that rapid decomposition would be more of a problem with a more intensive fertilization regiment. This is the primary reason I do not use sphagnum any longer.
|
|
|
Post by jgriffin on Nov 15, 2008 7:58:42 GMT -10
Thanks, Sam. I was wondering if the fertilizer might have something to do with it, but I am assuming as you are. If you use some peat and sometimes perlite and coco is 20%, would the bulk of your medium be cinder, then?
Cheers,
Joe
|
|
Robiii
Nobiles
Grow the new world
Posts: 262
|
Post by Robiii on Nov 15, 2008 20:31:58 GMT -10
I'd prefer orchid bark over pure cinder (it's a bit easier on the roots for transplant).
Here's what I'm going to be using shortly (felt like I had better overall results with a mixture closer to this)
Bark: 35% Medium 15% Small 25% Cinder: 30% Black 15% Red 15% Peat:5% Sand: 20% Cedar mulch (fluff) 10%
Coral chip Hapuu are two others that will be incorporated into the mix of some.
Rob
|
|
|
Post by rainforest on Nov 27, 2008 6:49:53 GMT -10
I have discovered a new product (well new for me any way) that I get from Lowes. It is pine bark mulch or nark mulch. What it is , is the fine trappings of ground bark or perhaps the bark dust prior to chipping the bark layer into nuggets (which is pricier). This ground media is priable and supple, when you add perlite, it makes an indestructible media which does not break down into heavy layers as coco, peatmoss, potting mixes, red wood conditioner, etc. I also incorporate a layer of cedar mulch (also from Lowes) as a top dressing and to prevent media from splashing out when watered. Even after many years, this media still is priable and aerated. I used to only use this for my seedling size plants but discovered that even stunted plants overgrown in this media works wonders! I also incorporate cinders, coral chips and some bark to different species depending on how dry they want to be. N. veitchii and veitchii hybrids tend to have more rocks media and I also incorporate river pebbles to help increase drainage. I do like to add charcoal to plants especially when grown in a deep pot. I also incorporate coral chips to many species of lowland and cliff dwelling origins.
M
|
|
|
Post by jgriffin on Nov 27, 2008 7:39:20 GMT -10
Hi Michael, I know a grower in Georgia who has been using PBM(pine bark mulch) in his nep mix and even in some other cp Genera. Works good with tuberous sundews and petiolaris too! He also likes cypress(as many others do). I posed a question in a couple of forums about different bark substances and if differences were noted. Did not get much response, but from your opinion, I now know: Coir-bad PDM, cedar- good. And by bark do you mean like orchid/fir bark? Do you avoid perlite?
Cheers,
Joe
|
|
|
Post by rainforest on Nov 28, 2008 7:00:42 GMT -10
Joe, Someone had written somewhere about the problems with using perlite, but I haven't experienced any problems with it. My favorite, though is pumice. But this material is very difficult to find here. If I had a choice I would prefer pumice as it doesn't float when watering.
There are other medias around but I like to keep things simplified. I have used with limited success, redwood soil conditioner and also black sand (a fine grained gritty by product of volcanic origin). The bark is orchid bark and I also gravitate between NZ bark (pricey) and an orchid media of a meshy-fiber bark (expensive). I like hapu'u fern fibers (but this stuff cost more than the plants sometime) and have tried using generic organic composts.
The media wars will go on and as people discover one kind of media eventually causes problems for them, people will always be on the look out for fresh new ideas.
M
|
|
|
Post by jgriffin on Nov 28, 2008 10:02:08 GMT -10
Hi Michael, Yup, and I imagine different conditions make a slight difference on how well these components work for somebody. Perlite can supposedly build up flourides, but..if you are using RO water, etc, I do not know how. Our tap water here is heavy in flouride(great for our teeth!), so I stick with RO just to be safe. I would use pumice too, but, I have never seen it anywhere around here.
Joe
|
|
|
Post by boris on Nov 28, 2008 11:35:01 GMT -10
just a question. Everyone is talking about orchid bark. I'm sure orchids haven't got any useable bark For what I've seen of bark using in orchid substrates it is pine bark. Is it pine bark you are talking of?
|
|
|
Post by rainforest on Nov 28, 2008 12:37:57 GMT -10
orchid bark = fir bark ( as opposed to cedar bark, red wood, etc.)
M
|
|
|
Post by jgriffin on Jan 12, 2009 11:25:14 GMT -10
Where did we end up on this coir topic?
J
|
|
Robiii
Nobiles
Grow the new world
Posts: 262
|
Post by Robiii on Jan 14, 2009 22:34:03 GMT -10
I believe it's a at your own risk... may perform well, may not...
I have seen it do well for some as a seedling mix additive.
®3
|
|
|
Post by jgriffin on Jan 18, 2009 6:14:51 GMT -10
That describes most components, lol, but yes, I think we have all seen some people do well with stuff you would not use now.
J
|
|
|
Post by rainforest on Jan 18, 2009 8:08:09 GMT -10
Your media is so important in growing nepenthes. I cannot stress this enough. It must be porous, and at the same time receive ample water, plants accessed to good light, air circulation, and exposed to the elements. I used to believe that nepenthes were soft, fragile plants like begonias and tender ferns, but now understand that they are tough plants more close to orchids and aroids! This is why we marvel at the places where they occupy. Cliffs, near the ocean, near active volcanos, grasslands, in seasonal flood plains, etc.
M
|
|