8 replies to this topic

[desana]

What is the best type of soil mix for vft's. Ive searched forums and some use a mix of peat moss, perlite,. Some use peat moss, perlite, & silica sand. Some just use peat moss. Also some sphagnum moss is added to some of the mixes. And ive read that some use vermiculite instead of perlite. I just wondered what ppl mixes were or what they would recommend pls. Im so confused as what to use!!!       Many thanks.....

Edited by desana, 09 June 2012 - 16:23 PM.

[FILLTHEHOLE]

I use a mix of 50/50 peat/perlite or 50/50 peat/sharp sand and the plant grow the same, I find that if the mix is too wet the vft will rot in any soil mix.

[Andy Collins]

I never use sand just 50/50 peat/perlite.

[Richard Bunn]

Take a look at Mantrid's fascinating experiment on this post It appears mix B is the best (50/50 peat and pine needles)

[gardenofeden]

never use vermiculite, it is slow poison to most CPs except Pinguicula and Nepenthes

[Flytyer]

I use the mix recommended by the CPS, 4 parts moss peat, 2 parts Perlite and 1 part sand. Last year I grew one completely in spagnum moss and, although it grew nicely, the moss soon overgrew it. When I recently repotted it (in the above mix) I got something like 7 or 8 plantlets from it. When I repot some again, I'll try using pure spagnum again, but will regularly clip the moss down to size so it down't overgrow the VFT....

As gardenofeden says, do not use vermiculite in your mix - he gave me that advice soon after I joined this forum, and the bag I'd already bought is still unopened  

[Richard Bunn]

Yup Gardenofeden is always right.

[Richard Bunn]

carniplatns, on 09 June 2012 - 19:46 PM, said:

Personally I use 1:1 Perlite peat moss.
Now I'm experimenting with 50 peat moss 50pine needles.  
More info here Here

Are you using the small short pine needles or the old fashioned pine cone tree that has needles the length of your middle finger? How you getting on with it?