Javier Fernandez Diaz Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 Hello! I have a dude. Hi, I'm using polystyrene foam for mixing with the substrate the Utricularias, I've tried it on 3 and are luxurious, far better than other. Well, I have read and are not biodegradable, its pH is 6, and does not decompose. Do you think it eventually can give me a problem? I think not .but .... you help me? If you think that not are a problem, today i mix the otger utricularas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL7836 Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 From another thread... Be careful with polystyrene (styrofoam), I have had plants react badly to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefforever Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I know it works well for U. livida (I broke down a styro cup and used that); I've only used it on this one species though. I don't see why it would hurt the plants... I've seen threads about vermiculite hurting utrics though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I cant see why polystyrene would cause any problems to plants, its a simple aromatic organic polymer, It doesn't dissolve in water and would have no affect on the Ph of water. Totally inert, hence why its such a problem in nature as it doesn't degrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javier Fernandez Diaz Posted November 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 Thanks all, is the same that i think, i cant see any problem. Thanks! My plants that have in the mix are growing good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 Hello! I have a dude.Hi, I'm using polystyrene foam for mixing with the substrate the Utricularias, I've tried it on 3 and are luxurious, far better than other. What else is in your mix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I cant see why polystyrene would cause any problems to plants, its a simple aromatic organic polymer, It doesn't dissolve in water and would have no affect on the Ph of water. Totally inert, hence why its such a problem in nature as it doesn't degrade. Styrene is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene. Styrene has been reported to cause death or low growth rate in plants. Information sources: http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/polystyrene/health.html http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/polystyrene/styrene.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 Styrene is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene. Styrene has been reported to cause death or low growth rate in plants.Information sources: http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/polystyrene/health.html http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/polystyrene/styrene.html That's a good point and styrene is as dangerous to humans if not more so, something I might think about next time I eat any food packaged with polystyrene (ie most of it) or drink out of a polystyrene cup. However, styrene is not polystyrene. Styrene also has a half of two days in water. It's possible that styrene may leach into the soil, just as it can leach into food from the styrene and a lot of work has been done to try to quantify any possible effect on humans. Not sure what the outcome is but as its not been banned yet, I suspect there no obvious danger. Given that any styrene present in polystyrene is in minute quantities, it degrades in soil/water after a few days anyway. Maybe we should be more worried about ourselves than the plants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I recall Stephen (gardenofeden) commenting that he had bad experiences with using polystyrene in potting mixes so I just wondered if styrene may be responsible for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I recall Stephen (gardenofeden) commenting that he had bad experiences with using polystyrene in potting mixes so I just wondered if styrene may be responsible for that. It would be interesting to know, I for one would look at food packaging in a different way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 It would be interesting to know, I for one would look at food packaging in a different way... If styrene doesn't get you, aspartame will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsivertsen Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 A friend of mine who grows orchids told me that there is a chemical reaction that occurs when various pesticides and fertilizers are used that releases toxic chemicals. Not sure what exactly or if it's true, I haven't tried it myself. - Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javier Fernandez Diaz Posted November 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 A friend of mine who grows orchids told me that there is a chemical reaction that occurs when various pesticides and fertilizers are used that releases toxic chemicals. Not sure what exactly or if it's true, I haven't tried it myself. - Rich Polyestirene a chemical reation with pesticides and fertlizers?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 A friend of mine who grows orchids told me that there is a chemical reaction that occurs when various pesticides and fertilizers are used that releases toxic chemicals. Not sure what exactly or if it's true, I haven't tried it myself. - Rich styrene is soluble in oil and ethanol Could this be the reason? Do pesticides contain oils or alcohol? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Could this be the reason? Do pesticides contain oils or alcohol? some pesticdes have oil added, yes. I think there will be natural plant oils and soap compounds in the peat as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsivertsen Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Some pesticies also have toluene and other organic solvents. - Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 Polystyrene is soluble in organic solvents (i.e. toluene, benzene) and is barely soluble in most oils. BUT polystyrene is not styrene. If your putting benzene or toluene on your plants i'd be more worried about that than the polystyrene... (think image of gasoline can pouring over rare nepenthes... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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