Re: Attn,: MOIRA RYAN
Michael Barclay wrote:
Moira Ryan wrote
> Just a few comments from a rank amateur.
> I must say hoof and horn meal has never come my way and I wonder if it
> is available any more. RESPONSE: Hoof and horn and blood and bone are
> readily available at all nurseries and garden centers. There has been a move
> away from bone meal as overpriced and of little value but I was raised
> to use it and still do. If I run out I substituite "raw rock phosphate."
Michael
Hoof and horn has never been available in NZ and bonemeal went out of
production some years ago. As you say raw rock phosphate is a very good
organically-sound P source, but a slow-release nitrogen source is not so
easy to arrange here.
Is the hoof and horn in your stores a specifically local product and so
safe from that taint of Mad Cow disease of the materials imported from
Europe? Many US-based folks on the Organic list seem very concerned
about this.
>
> Regarding the American mixes, commercial potting here is obviously done
> with something similar, though I understand local formulae often
> include ground pine bark. I realize these are highly advantageous to
> large operators being so easily atandardized and light to handle, but
> for the home user they have a number of negative aspects. Perhaps the
> worst is that they dry out pretty easily and (due I suppose to the peat
> component) are very difficult to rewet without full soaking. YOU BET!
> I WOULDN'T USE TRADITIONAL PEAT FOR ANYTHING!
A good few people seem to be tending in this direction.
> One other grumble is that they are altogether physically too light if
> used outdoors in our windy climate and the pots very liable to blow
> over. LIKEWISE, BUT I THINK THEY ARE INTENDED FOR INDOOR
> USE.
I often want to stand containers outside, at least over summer.
>
> Moira-Thank you for this fabulous letter. I will have to read through it
> several times to be sure I've digested <G> it all. Thanks for your kindness
> and time.
Glad you think you will find my remarks useful, please don't hesitate to
query anything you find unclear. I see we agree on some points already.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
