| I wanted to ask about planting without soil. I want to know what I can use instead of soil. |
| You can prepare your own artificial potting medium with little difficulty. The following mixes are suggested for growing foliage plants: Two parts peat, one part perlite, one part coarse sand. Two parts peat, one part coarse sand. One part peat, one part coarse sand, one part pine bark. One part peat, one part pine bark, one part perlite. CORNELL PLANT MIXES Two soilless mixes were developed at Cornell University for commercial growers, but they are easily adapted to home use. Each recipe will make a bushel. Cornell foliage plant mix: ? bushel sphagnum peat moss ? bushel vermiculite, No. 2 ? bushel perlite (medium fine) 8 tbsp. ground dolomitic lime 2 tbsp. superphosphate (20% powdered) 3 tbsp. 10-10-10 fertilizer 1 tbsp. iron sulfate 1 tbsp. potassium nitrate This foliage plant mix is well-suited for ferns, Begonia, Cissus, Coleus, Ficus, Maranta, Pelargonium, Pilea and Sansevieria. Cornell epiphytic mix: 1/3 bushel Douglas fir bark (finely ground) 1/3 bushel sphagnum peat moss (shredded) 1/3 bushel perlite (medium fine) 8 tbsp. ground dolomitic lime 6 tbsp. superphosphate (20% powdered) 3 tbsp. 10-10-10 fertilizer 1 tbsp. iron sulfate 1 tbsp. potassium nitrate This plant mix is suitable for bromeliads, cacti, Crassula, Dieffenbachia, Episcia, Gloxinia, Hoya, Monstera, Philodendron and Peperomia. Hope this answers your question! |
