Gritty mix uneven moisture
clusty1
5 years ago
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Stefan
5 years agorcharles_gw (Canada)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoRelated Discussions
Gritty mix problem. How do I tell if the mix is too wet ?
Comments (4)Nguyenty - it looks like your Turface has already been screened? The #5 gravel looks very good - about the same size as the granite or cherrystone I use. You're better off with the granite fraction being a bit too small than the Turface fraction, because the granite holds so little water comparatively. I think what I would do is use it as is. I wouldn't fertilize at each watering because I suggest you DO water in sips, with an occasional flush until the roots have colonized the soil mass. At that point, with an established planting, it becomes less likely you could over-water. I would also suggest you insert a wick through the bottom of the pot at the perimeter (if plastic), and after flushing the soil or watering, tilt the container at a 45* angle with the wick down. This changes the shape of the soil that CAN be occupied by perched water to an inverted triangle, better said - a triangle standing on an apex - and reduces the volume of excess water a planting CAN hold; and, the wick increases the effectiveness of the strategy significantly. ..... not lecturing or being snotty. Think of it as a reminder to anyone following along ~ The reasoning behind the gritty mix: it provides a soil with little or no perched water that retains it's structure indefinitely. If anyone is going to build a soil similar to the gritty mix but lacking these two properties, there is little sense in going through all the effort when something like the less expensive and easier to make 5:1:1 mix would serve as well. Really glad to see you made the effort. I hope you let us know if in the end you think the dividends justify the diligence. Al...See MoreCan you mix plants w/different water needs in gritty mix?
Comments (6)Good Morning! Thanks for all the input! Al~ I had to laugh at your post! I was so tired last night that for the life of me, I could not remember buying a Euphorbia.(I'm used to thinking succulents when I see that name) I had to go out and look. LOL! Yes, that is the plant I just got. ;-) And I was thinking of giving it to mom, which means it would be in with petunias and mums and maybe a Lobelia or 2. I wanted to add the zinnias to the back to give it height. I was thinking along the same lines as you Al, but just thought I'd ask. For myself, I wouldn't worry, but I want it to be nice for mom. ;-) It makes sense that as the PWT drops so would the need to separate plants. I totally agree with looking at this with the same "raised eyebrow"! I have basil seeds sprouting in a 10" pot right now! lol.. so that shoots the "overpot" theory all to heck. lol. Now I would have never thought about the dry dormancy. So thank you for that! I'm aware of it where succulents are concerned by never would have thought about it with flowers and such. ;-) ""I should try an experiment where I grow something like one of the Coleus varieties that will tolerate some sun, in the same container with a number of succulents. If I remember, I'll do it this summer - just for grins."" LOL! Your starting to sound like me. I do alot "just for girns" and you can't forget the giggles. lol. ;-) Jodi~ I agree we are open to more options when using the free draining mix that we do! And I take tag/growing instructions with a huge grain of salt! Now that we have the internet, I much prefer to look up the growing care! And will gladly accept the help and advice of a few close friends. ;-) I'll try and get a picture this evening of the herbs I mixed. Al, we'll have to remind each other to get back here and post pics of what we experiment with. ;-) A Very Happy Easter to everyone! From me and my rock bunny. ;-) JoJocolor>...See MoreA WARNING about gritty mixes
Comments (31)Asked : Nomen, this is off the subject a little, but do you have any of your own experience/evidence that watering a hot succulent (or any plant) can cause damage? My apologies for the waiting time for my response It's a welting warm and very sunny day with temps well into the 90's At Apx 1:00 PM a sudden rain storms strikes all your succulents when your not around and wont be around until 5:00 PM the sudden rains ends falling at 3:00 PM During the same time frame The temps then drop to a modest 73 F from the cooling rain but then climb back up to a warmer 88 F quickly after.. Are we all to believe this doesn't ever happen every where there is a succulent in a pot hanging around the adobe and then to agree that such event will also have no ill effects on any succulent ? A statement I can not agree to kindheartedly . I think you want to ask yourself is Does the succulent that is outside and already sun hardened in the sunny location have the experience to adapt to the sudden changes of outside climatic conditions/ changes I just mentioned with out ill effects ? It's not wise to water any plant in heat to suddenly cool it I consider such watering to be the equivalent as a sun bather laying on the beach for three hours until being tossed into the cooler ocean I suppose if that person is use to it someone can easily say the sunbather wont go into shock as I insist they most certainly will. We also know that most any plant in every species doesn't fair as well with sudden changes of hourly ups and downs in watering and warmer to cooler. In my experiences is only as small tid bit of information that may be of little to no value to you and maybe even less to all others. No two people will always agree to another persons methods regardless the facts that one person can produce to all others. Even when the results state to me what is common sense is also common scene to you if you think about it long enough it comes down to three things of which none are soils and/or soil less containers These three things are the potted plants location, location and location Time of year is also a consideration depending on each persons zone VS plant zone hardiness I can understand why the OP wants to address their concerns to others with observations of gritty mix use Common sense tells me that they would need to use higher volumes and more frequent watering during warmer months than what they would use ( or not use) during cooler months. Also understanding that cooler air also carries more moisture content in it the same cooler air can also ( potentially speaking) deliver more moisture to a potted succulent that specializes in getting and holding on to moisture from the air....See MoreIssues Transitioning Cacti to Gritty 111 Mix
Comments (5)Plants sent bareroot (and most are), may get stressed quite a bit if in transit for too log, if too hot or too cold and so on. It is quite usual that sometimes they take longer to recuperate, regardless what mix they were potted in. Always inspect new plants for any bugs or diseases, as they will not only harm that plant but likely infect others in your collection. Prune off any damaged roots. I never do any 'preventative' treatment, some ppl do. I never had to deal with root mealies yet - but there is always a first time!!! Treatment you described sounds almost extreme to me - BUT having no experience I am just saying...and obviously it worked for most of your plants. If lots of root pruning was needed, letting cuts to callus for a bit should helpful (couple of hours may be enough). After, pot plant into dry mix, and do not water immediately. But next day should be ok to water. Monitor dampness of your mix, and water as needed after. They may need watering more often than you do, but it all depends on a mix used and also existing temps. Usually, plant will recover in about a week or so but I had some that took about 4-5 wks (maybe even longer) - I was sure plant was dead, but it wasn't. If all roots were lost, I usually do not water until there is some sign of rooting - most often new growth. If plant (rootless one) starts shrivelling a lot, it is likely thirsty and I may water. But not first 10-15days or so. No roots - no water is a mantra I go by... I discovered this forum about 8yrs ago and also read all articles by Al. They helped me a lot. I diversified a bit from his receipt after a while, because it is difficult to find small enough bark. I also found turface quite water-retaining. I am using mix of sifted perlite and gravel (approx. same size) in 1:1 ratio, and add only about 10-15% of turface. I have numerous plants in a mix without turface too. For watering, I use rain water even in winter - store enough for my plants. In winter, they do not need to be watered so often, even not a all - depends on temps they are in. I am bit lousy at fertilizing...but if I do (seldom) it is usually similar fert. Never used Protect, so can't comment. Perhaps you can post photos of plants in question - possibly could help to see what the problem is....See MoreRob Blomquist
5 years agoclusty1
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoMarica 7 high Sierra's Ca 4,000ft
5 years agoewwmayo
5 years agoSpanishFly - (Mediterranean)
5 years agorcharles_gw (Canada)
5 years agoewwmayo
5 years agoclusty1
5 years agobragu_DSM 5
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agorcharles_gw (Canada)
5 years ago
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