petesredtraps Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 That's why I have not bought peat for 15 years. What do you use now then Stephen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 sure, but that's just because not many stock it, because of low demand, because of (overly) cheap peat that we have got used to. How much do you think postage on a 200l bale of peat will be?Peat is going to become very expensive and very hard to get in future, I've been saying this for decades as working in the conservation field I've seen it coming. That's why I've been researching different composts over the years. That's why I have not bought peat for 15 years. the CPS and other societes should be funding (research into alternatives). They should also be lobbying for access to peat for specialist growers if we want our hobby to survive. With oil supplies having peaked though, no matter how cheap the compost is, you won't be able to afford to pick it up in your car or have it delivered in future. the world is changing... I have no idea how much peat will go up to. I'd love to start using different growing mediums but is there anything that is comparable in price, growing success, and availability? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 That's why I have not bought peat for 15 years.What do you use now then Stephen? Moorland Gold of course, see link below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Moorland Gold is peat though. Ok its not dug up but its still peat. Is it not? So if there is a "ban" on peat wont the include Moorland Gold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petesredtraps Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Moorland Gold of course, see link below Excellent article Stephen-very encouraging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 (edited) Andy...possibly...but it's not mined peat. BTW it is not peat, although it does have peat particles in it, also sand, loam, leafmold... Edited August 4, 2009 by gardenofeden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Andy...possibly...but it's not mined peat. BTW it is not peat, although it does have peat particles in it, also sand, loam, leafmold... With things like loam and leafmold does it not effect the plant? Silly question after seeing yours but you would think they would. Don't get me wrong if there is anything out there which can be used instead of mined peat then I'm all for it but this is a hobby and not a job. I wont spend the family silver just to get a growing medium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 (edited) It's a fallacy that all carnivorous plants grow in pure sphagnum moss peat in their natural environment. For instance, VFTs grow in silversand in their natural environment, albeit enriched with the surrounding peat bogs. Tropical growing CPs, such as Nepenthes often grow in forest which naturally have leaf-litter. Drosera have been known to grow on rotting logs. Edited August 4, 2009 by mobile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 I see so the use of peat with whatever is not needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 I see so the use of peat with whatever is not needed? Jury is out, even for neps i'm not convinced yet that alternatives like coco peat do the trick. There are many grades of coco peat and we are limited as to what people import. Peat works much better in some/most cases for seeds in the UK, although growers in tropical countries routinely use other media. Moorland gold i suspect is also in short supply, so if demand goes up so will the price, drastically. Has anyone tried sarras in perlite or similar, with just enough additives to make it acidic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 It's debatable as to whether oils supplies have peaked but that's another discussion. The fact is that peat will, and already is, becoming harder to source so the price is bound to rise. I agree this is another discussion. The majority of forecasts/measurements though say oil has peaked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loligo1964 Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 (edited) It's a fallacy that all carnivorous plants grow in pure sphagnum moss peat in their natural environment. For instance, VFTs grow in silversand in their natural environment, albeit enriched with the surrounding peat bogs. Tropical growing CPs, such as Nepenthes often grow in forest which naturally have leaf-litter. Drosera have been known to grow on rotting logs. I have experimented with many different composts over the years, including primarily sand-based mixes for Dionaea (which I have seen in the field on many occasions and their compost varies a good deal depending upon specific location) with a bit of peat added for additional acidity; not only did those plants -- grown alongside others in standard 2:1 or 1:1 mixes of sphagnum peat moss to sand -- do far more poorly than those in standard compost, but also experienced a return of vigor and a noticeable burst of growth when transplanted back into traditional media . . . Edited August 5, 2009 by loligo1964 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 the CPS and other societes should be funding (research into alternatives). They should also be lobbying for access to peat for specialist growers if we want our hobby to survive. I couldn't agree with this statement more. This is what I believe a society is all about, promoting the hobby and protecting it so we can all enjoy it for many years to come. It's not all about the open days (thou these are good) If you do order bulk please keep me in mind, I must add cost is also very important to me with our first child on the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyoliver Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Here here! They don't get any cheaper Carl trust me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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