> Perry Malouf seemed to question the applicability of peat in
> Nepenthes soils...I seem to recall that Botanique's experiments
> with peat tea first used Nepenthes as subjects, with dramatic results ...
Let me clarify. I don't question the applicability of peat moss in
Nepenthes potting mixes. Some people are growing their Nepenthes in
mixes that include peat moss. I do claim that the plants don't grow
in peat moss soils in their native habitats.
Botanique's first experiments with _peat tea_ (not peat moss in the
potting mix) were with Nepenthes. This was done not to examine the
use of peat moss in Nepenthes potting mixes. It was done to introduce
tannins and alkaloids to a potting mix composed of long fiber sphagnum
and perlite--a mix that normally does not contain tannins.
The reason this was done is because native Nepenthes habitats have
soils which contain tannins and alkaloids. This was an attempt to
view the effect of such substances on the well-being of cultivated
plants.
> Rob at Botanique also mentioned using actual tea leaves as a
> substitute ...also suggested experimenting with other known sources
> of tannin
Anyone who has been following this thread must be more than curious
by now about the upcoming article in CPN. Let's look forward to
the January issue...
Charles Brewer wrote:
> I like the idea of running water through a bucket of peat. I wonder if
> there are advantages or disadvantages to allowing the water to sit in
> the peat for a few days before you drain it out?
> I like the idea of boiling the peat moss even better, your black tea
> would be almost sterilized...
We choose to produce a peat tea by boiling for at least two reasons.
First, hot water leaches out the tannins better than a cold water
percolation. Second, boiling will sterilize the tea. If you use
a cold water percolation, and happen by misfortune to have a bad
batch of peat moss, you could water your plants with a bacteria or
fungus-laden tea.
Perry Malouf