Date: Fri, 22 Jan 99 22:15 EST From: Dave <T442119@RUTADMIN.RUTGERS.EDU> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg199$foo@default> Subject: Re: Repotting CP's
Dear Ian,
> Getting ready to repot plants - I want to put something in the bottom of
> the pot to improve drainage and prevent the medium from slowly dribbling
> out the holes in the bottom of the pot.
Sphagnum moss works great!
> I have lots of pots in which long-fibered sphagnum has been used, but it
> can smell a bit mulchy as it breaks down in the bottom of the pot.
Don't use so much, just enough to cover the holes in the bottom
of the pot. The peat mix or the moss can both start to get funky
from sitting in water all day. Sometimes water should be flushed
through to pot (don't do this to seedlings!!!) and the water in the
tray has to be changed.
This will help keep you soil "fresh."
> In the Home Depot today I saw a sack of horticultural charcoal sold for
> just this purpose. Has anyone used this? I like the idea that the
> filtering action of the charcoal will help to keep the medium "fresh",
> but am worried about effects on ph or unforseen considerations.....
> Thoughts?
Yes, I think you are the right track, here. Charcoal has not
harmed my plants, and it also seems to help airate the soil, similar
to how perlite does this... It's good for Nepenthes soil's, at least
for most of the common mid-highland to low-land species. I don't
know how (if) beneficial it is for Sarracenia though.
Dave Evans
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