Re: Alternative growing media

Andreas Wistuba (A.Wistuba@DKFZ-Heidelberg.DE)
Tue, 17 Jan 1995 17:44:12 GMT+1

> Among other things,
> the rockwool did not stay firmly packed around the stem of the cutting. Any
> movement of the bag tended to make the cutting move around, potentially
> injuring the newly forming roots.

I observed the same, if Nepenthes were growing in volcanic soil. I
once was given a plant perfectly growing when visiting another grower
in Germany. I transported the plant to my home by car (around 2 hours
drive) After that the plant did not grow any more. A check after some
weeks showed that most of the roots were broken or cut by the sharp
lava particles.
I think some soft substance in the medium like peat, Sphagnum,
bark... helps to prevent such damage which otherwise may occur when
moving plants.

Andreas
Andreas Wistuba; Mudauer Ring 227; 68259 Mannheim; Germany
Inet: a.wistuba@dkfz-Heidelberg.de / a.wistuba@carnivor.rhein-neckar.de
Phone: +49-621-705471 Fax: +49-621-711307