popespliff Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 ran this small experiment last year to see comparisons of 3 vft composts http://www.littleshopofhorrors.co.uk/downloadfile/36 Alistair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dode Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 The question is...what was the fertiliser, or is it a secret? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amar Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 what dode said. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantrid Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 I dont think the type of fertilizer is critical. They all provide the same things that the plant needs, NPK they differ only in the ratios of these elements. Generally higher N for foliage. Higher K for flower formation from what I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlytrapCare Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Nice experiment. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linton Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Interesting also that the plants potted in the 'compost plus' mix have a generous cover of carpet moss unlike the other 2 kinds of media. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popespliff Posted March 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Interesting also that the plants potted in the 'compost plus' mix have a generous cover of carpet moss unlike the other 2 kinds of media. Hi Linton the carpet moss is an added bonus for us as it makes the posting of the plants easier as the compost is more likely to stay in the pot . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popespliff Posted March 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 The question is...what was the fertiliser, or is it a secret?Hi Dode yes it's a secret.The recipie is held in the same safe as the formula for coca cola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchasselblad74 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 So is it in the same safe....... or is it the Coca cola itself........AHA!!!!! Time to Coke up my VFTs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
numpty Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Nice experiment. Relevant to the discussion on peat substitutes too, as the chopped moss seems to be at least as suitable as the peat/sand mix, at least for VFTs. I guess it would be natural to wonder if adding some kind of slow-release fertilizer to the chopped moss might lead to increased growth comparable to that in the "compost plus" (though it would probably lead to slimy moss as well). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 It would be nice to see the experiment repeated with one or more of the peat moss free composts, such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice or Levington Organic Blend. I've got a Cephalotus growing in Levington multi-purpose compost, with added sand, but that's reduced peat not peat free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dode Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I am also experimenting with some of the shelf fertilisers, we will have to wait and see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ahrens Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I have VFT's from seed in a coir mix before now. 2 parts coir to 1 sharp sand. They grew alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Thanks for sharing. Pretty much what we already knew though, fertiliser = faster growth but less colour. I know some people have been using those slow release fertilizer pellets mixed in with the peat for some years, also I know of one cp nursery that uses a half strength fish emulsion fertiliser in the tray water ever 2 weeks. I found it not only increased the growth and lessened the colour but also increased the amount of plants I lost to rot. Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popespliff Posted March 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Thanks for sharing. Pretty much what we already knew though, fertiliser = faster growth but less colour. I know some people have been using those slow release fertilizer pellets mixed in with the peat for some years, also I know of one cp nursery that uses a half strength fish emulsion fertiliser in the tray water ever 2 weeks. I found it not only increased the growth and lessened the colour but also increased the amount of plants I lost to rot. Trev Hi Trev We didn't get any rot in any of the 60 plants used.I think it's important to make sure any effects of the fertiliser are over in good time before growth slows in the late Autumn so no lush soft growth,also not to use to early for same reasons but also to avoid catastrophic release of fertilizer if the resin coated pellets freeze and burst. Alistair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 It would be good see a group which has been fertilised naturally e.g. isolated and left with a tub of maggots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petesredtraps Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 I'm giving Alistair's mix a try, I've a feeling it'll be a boon to the smaller VFTs that can't catch much, especially Wacky traps that can't catch anything at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davion Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 'How'-Did-You RECONSTITUTE The-'Dried' NEW-Zealand Sphagnum??? WATER or WATER + FERTILIZER??? >(*~*)< WHOEVER 'Said' Coke-Up My-Plants ... You're 'Not'-FAR-Wrong so-to-speak ... but-It's The-'Way'-They Do-it that Counts!!! >(*U^)< OOPS Have-'I" "said' TOO-Much / DEATH-SENTENCE Forthcoming!!! >(*~*)< / >(*U^)< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popespliff Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 'How'-Did-You RECONSTITUTE The-'Dried' NEW-Zealand Sphagnum??? WATER or WATER + FERTILIZER??? >(*~*)<WHOEVER 'Said' Coke-Up My-Plants ... You're 'Not'-FAR-Wrong so-to-speak ... but-It's The-'Way'-They Do-it that Counts!!! >(*U^)< OOPS Have-'I" "said' TOO-Much / DEATH-SENTENCE Forthcoming!!! >(*~*)< / >(*U^)< Rain water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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