Re: Re: HYB: strange stuff
- To: i*@egroups.com
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] Re: HYB: strange stuff
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 09:31:30 EDT
In a message dated 6/25/00 7:28:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
lmann@mailhub.icx.net writes:
<< Anybody know if the plant pacs from the Marts have germination
inhibitors in the potting soil? >>
Can't speak to that, but some types of potting soil, especially for house
plants, are treated to keep down certain types of germination or fungal
growth. I'd say that economically it might well serve the commercial grower
of cellpacks to use something similar.
For years I used Peters potting soil, picking it up at Lowe's as necessary.
Then I got irritated because it always seemed to be fostering fungus gnats.
And also it tends to pack down a bit and get clammy, which can be a problem
with seeds started inside. So last year I picked up a bag of a special seed
starting mix, Scott's or Hoffman or some mainline product. Talk about hating
a product bigtime! Nothing but finely milled peat and some pearlite. Worst
stuff for seeds I've ever used. Couldn't keep it evenly moist, dried out
entirely too quickly, pearlite floated to the top in that annoying way it
has. I've gotten so I start most quickly germinating seeds in straight
vermiculite--learned that from a greenhouse professional--and next time I do
any irises I'm going to cut my old standard Peters with about twenty per cent
vermiculite and pour boiling water over the soil in the pots three times to
beat back this and that.
Anner, in Virginia
ChatOWhitehall@aol.com
I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAVEL FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR! Get dozens of the best travel agents
competing for your business with our new FREE service.
http://click.egroups.com/1/5745/0/_/486170/_/961939894/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
