3 replies to this topic

[MalcolmP]

Ok, next newbie question ! :

I've taken the advice to stand my pet sarracenia in a tray of rainwater
and then I got to thinking ,,,,

I have an old bale of Irish sphag.moss peat from long ago when I kept and bred Discus (softwater tropical fish from the Amazon)
Is there any advantage in adding peat to the water in the tray
(or even keeping a pot of peat soaking in rainwater ready to be used to top up the tray.)

What are the pros/cons?

so far I have : pros = simulates the water in a bog, acidifies/buffers that water, adds organic (humic) acids.

cons = might encourage the plant to root out through the bottom of the pot (but prob. would do that anyway ?? is that a prob when it comes to re-potting ? )
Might evaporation from the tray cause it to become too acid / too strong in organics ?

Malcolm.

Edited by MalcolmP, 31 May 2012 - 10:43 AM.

[Alexis]

I don't think it would have any effect. They're already sitting in pure peat. At the end of the season my trays have a layer of peat sludge anyway

[mantrid]

You wpould be better off growing live sphagnum in the trays as a kind of buffer to maintain the acidity of peat. I would try this myself but my trays are full of plants with no room for the moss. It could be prove useful if you are prepared to sacrifice tray space for it

[MalcolmP]

no prob with tray space, I have (so far!) only the one plant.
So all I have to do now, then, is source some sp.moss (I already have the peat)

My local gardenC does not have it.
,,,,,,
But it has CPs. mostly flytraps of obscure parentage and diminutive sarracenia of undeclared species,
all at silly prices.

Edited by MalcolmP, 31 May 2012 - 23:29 PM.