AdamH Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Hi, Has anyone ever used either Seramis (clay granules) or Vermiculite in any Drosera substrate mixes? I'm especially interested in experiences with Seramis, as I suspect that with Vermiculite, being a mineral, it may not be suitable for Sundews. I already use both Seramis and Vermiculite as a component of Pinguicula mix (2 parts Seramis, 2 parts Vermiculite, 2 parts Perlite, 1 part John Innes No. 2 [loam-based potting compost]) with good results, but my main concern with Drosera is that any components don't increase the pH of the mix or "leach" any unwanted chemicals / minerals etc into the mix. I'm hoping to try Seramis at least with some Australian species, e.g. Drosera petiolaris-complex plants, also maybe pygmies and tuberous species in the future, as many of these apparently occur in well-drained partially clay soild in nature. Any comments / experiences? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob H Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Try here: http://www.vermiculite.org/properties.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamH Posted April 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Hi, Thanks - I notice that the pH of Vermiculite in water is 6 to 9, so best to give that a miss I guess! (I wouldn't use anything with a pH > 7 for Sundews). Save it for Pings. I thought that Vermiculite wouldn't be ideal for Drosera, and was more interested in Seramis anyway. I found a comment on a Cypripedium forum about Seramis (it is often used as part of a mix for hardy orchids) suggesting it has a neutral pH: see - http://www.cypripedium.de/forum/messages/1024.html. So it should be ok pH-wise for Sundews. I'm still interested if anyone else has actually had any experience of using it with Drosera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellis Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Yes - I absentmindedly put some D. 'Lake Badgerupp' gemmae in a pot of 50/50 mix of peat/vermiculite last autumn and they grew just fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob H Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Ellis that either shows they are very tolerant.... which is good, or that vermiculite ain't as bad as all that...... which is good. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellis Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Yes Kribuk. Not sure which but heres a pic taken of two in flower yesterday to testify. Not the clearest picture but what can you do with a dig. cam! http://www.strike9.com/comments.aspx?filei...keBadgerupp.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob H Posted April 28, 2004 Report Share Posted April 28, 2004 There you go then, pictoral evidence. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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