So the experiment with a hybrid phrag compot continues. The first photo is from just under a year ago when the plants had been first repotted from the small compot seeltray into a seed tray with no holes in the bottom. Compost was leca at the bottom and mini rockwool cubes above. They sit under a couple of T5 lights which are on about 16 hours a day.
The idea was to allow root runs that are consistently close to the surface to allow plenty of air into the compost. Pretty much how it happens in nature. The moss grow abundantly across the surface after a few months and I was happy for this to happen, again mimicking nature. The idea came from Tom at Fox Valley and his way of growing superb besseae plants in seed trays and moss.
The second two photos are from today, before and after repotting. Although the initial growth was slow, this was more down to a lack of nutrients which was quickly remedied. Growth this year has been good, especially in the last few weeks when the summer heat has abated.
The plants were getting too cramped for the tray, some well over six inches across, but instead of giving each an individual pot, I decided to keep the experiment going and repot 16 of them into a large water tray with the same materials. I’ve added some of the old leca and moss to re establish system. The top dressing in the tray is large rockwool cubes and I’ve tried to keep the compost as open and airy as possible. Nothing has been pressed down and the moss has been placed on the top very lightly.
The root system under the moss was extensive and very vigorous. I want to grow these plants in the best way to flowering size. I’m not bothered about keeping them apart. They seem to grow very well as a group so why change?
it is also much easier and quicker to look after one large pot rather than sixteen smaller ones. The smaller seedlings on the left went back into the same seed tray.
I should see flowers next year. There may be the odd one next spring but more likely in the autumn or winter.
Let’s see where we are in six months.
David
The idea was to allow root runs that are consistently close to the surface to allow plenty of air into the compost. Pretty much how it happens in nature. The moss grow abundantly across the surface after a few months and I was happy for this to happen, again mimicking nature. The idea came from Tom at Fox Valley and his way of growing superb besseae plants in seed trays and moss.
The second two photos are from today, before and after repotting. Although the initial growth was slow, this was more down to a lack of nutrients which was quickly remedied. Growth this year has been good, especially in the last few weeks when the summer heat has abated.
The plants were getting too cramped for the tray, some well over six inches across, but instead of giving each an individual pot, I decided to keep the experiment going and repot 16 of them into a large water tray with the same materials. I’ve added some of the old leca and moss to re establish system. The top dressing in the tray is large rockwool cubes and I’ve tried to keep the compost as open and airy as possible. Nothing has been pressed down and the moss has been placed on the top very lightly.
The root system under the moss was extensive and very vigorous. I want to grow these plants in the best way to flowering size. I’m not bothered about keeping them apart. They seem to grow very well as a group so why change?
it is also much easier and quicker to look after one large pot rather than sixteen smaller ones. The smaller seedlings on the left went back into the same seed tray.
I should see flowers next year. There may be the odd one next spring but more likely in the autumn or winter.
Let’s see where we are in six months.
David
