Gritty mix water retention - sanity check
alan_oz
12 years ago
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
12 years agoalan_oz
12 years agoRelated Discussions
Increasing water retention for gritty mix
Comments (7)That would help with the watering (I've also "wicked" by setting the pots on an extra fluffy towel - the towel fuzz has contact with the soil through the drainage holes and pulls the moisture out.) However, that doesn't address the cedar chips in the mix and the probable nitrogen problems, yes? If it will be a potential major problem repotting before fall, I will wait. I'd feel much better about it if I did it soon, as in my last several threads there has always been mention of the terrible soil and how problematic it will likely be for me if it sits in it over winter. I will make sure (whenever it happens) that the bark is not too much bigger. If it is I'll put it in a sheet and mash it up a bit with a hammer to break the pieces into smaller chunks. Maybe a silly question, but I have a bag of Vermiculite that I am not sure how I came across. Is that similar to Turface?...See MoreWhen to water "gritty mix"
Comments (0)"Gritty mix" is composed of equal volumes of Turface (which retains water), granite (which adds bulk and allows excess water to drain) and bark (which acts as a filler, but it is excellent because of its durability, chemical composition and moisture retention qualities). Since the overall color of "gritty mix" is grayish-brownish, how can I tell when to water the mix?...See MoreWatering + Gritty Mix + Haworthia/Gasteria? Overwatering?
Comments (13)Rina - It's because I threw all the dead ones away. Just kidding! It was only a few... really.. =) SucculentCity - A couple key questions come to mind: Are all your Haworthia showing similar issues? Which specific species are showing dehydration/stress? Are they newish plants to you or well established over many (4+) months? There's probably many other considerations... if it wasn't so late maybe I could remember them! There are many many ways to tweak individual pot mixes and other factors. I think I'm always fiddling with my plants and trying slightly different things to see if it helps them grow better. 1. A few or all: If there are just a few outliers, then you could consider just repotting and adjusting the mix of those plants. If it is everything, than maybe there is a more global/overall change that you could to help reduce the watering burden. 2. Picky Species: I find H. cooperi to be fairly forgiving. Even both these plants receive the same growing conditions you can see how much more stressed the H. pygmaea is. In this case, I'm not bothered too much because I like the colours and the plant is still pupping. This H. venusta hybrid is extremely easy to stress and stunt growth, while the H. bayeri beside it wants more light! Conversely, this H. venusta is still getting fully established but can take more light than the one above. These are pickier species to grow (supposedly very rot prone) and I am much more careful where I put them under my lights. And what about H. lockwoodi? It's a fickle beast! Too late on watering just a couple days and the outer leaves start to dry up and turn into onion skins. 3. New vs. established: I am very particular where I put my plants. The newer additions go in different shelf areas and I put them at the edges of my grow areas and keep my lights slightly further away to reduce stress on them. The ones that I've had for much longer have much more freedom to go anywhere. I prefer to put them in the highest light areas to maximize their growth. With grow lights and reflectors, there is a brighter area in the middle and the light falls off at the edges. That exact light distribution is an important consideration and helpful in optimizing space usage/light utilization....See More100% Water Retaining Gritty Mix for my summers?
Comments (15)Helen Turface has about 52% water holding capacity. That may be highest of substrates mentioned. So getting 100% could be difficult. You are correct that many substrates hold water internally and release it slowly, but you are looking for 100% water holding capacity - I am not sure what would you have to use...maybe ewwmayo can calculate it (SORRY Kevin!). He did sample of WHC of different substrates and even few different mixesin this thread but nothing is 100% water retaining - we are trying to get much less than that. Here is sample chart: Bugs are not exclusive to use of soil. Many ppl get mealy bugs and others even if using gritty mix. OTH, many ppl use mix of 50/50 C&S soil and perlite and I don't think they have more bugs on average. I use very gritty mix, but do not live in such hot climate. So it would be wise to listen to ppl that do, like Kara. Al's water retaining mix is still not 100% water retaining. His suggestions are for ppl that are in hot climate, but plants still need watering except not daily. I am not sure if Kara mentioned somewhere how often she waters succulents in her mix. Shade cloth is definitely big help, just tie it so that there is still good air circulation - but I am sure you know that. There are also timers you maybe can set up (?) that would water your plants whenever you set them to: daily or 1x/week and anything in-between....See MoreOhiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio
12 years agopenfold2
12 years agogreenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
12 years agoalan_oz
12 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
12 years agoalan_oz
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12 years agoalan_oz
12 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
12 years agoalan_oz
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)