To use crock? Or not to use crock? That is the question

[chalky]

Hello to all

I was just wondering if anyone could just give me a pointer please. I have just brought four Drosera capensis (Narrow leaf form). I am not sure if I should use crock when potting them to assist with drainage. It seems a little silly to provide drainage but then to have the pot sitting in a tray. Can anyone help with this please?

Thanks

Chalky

[chalky]

Mmmm I was hoping for more of a response then I’ve had. Perhaps it is a language thing, crock is what we in England call the bits of broken pots that are placed in the bottom of a pot in order to assist with drainage. Im not sure if I should just put in CP compost or crock at the bottom and CP compost on the top. Any opinions? Any at all?

Thanks

Chalky

[arvin555]

Chalky, you are a bit impatient You posted at 1am at our time, you have to take into consideration time difference and stuff. Plus not everyone has experience with Capensis or crock.

I myself am not so sucessful with Capensis, there is a chance that they are sort of like intermediate nepenthes, that they want a bit of cold nights, but that is just my opinion.

The only other comment I can give with crock is that some people say that they harbor bacteria and diseases that might not be good for the plants. I guess if you want to make the potting mix more drainy, why not try Vermiculite or Perlite?

TTFN
Arvin

[jk]

I don't know if I'm understanding this correctly, but if the crock creates space in the bottom of the pot and if you are using the water tray method, I don't think it's advisable to use crock because it would mean that the medium would dry out when there's still water in the tray when it's at a level that's lower than the upper level of the crock.

[chalky]

Thanks for the responses. JK I have the same train of thought on this as you do but pretty much every gardening book (nonCP if I’m honest) says it’s important to use crock.

Thanks

Alex

[jk]

Regarding the use of crock in containers with the usual types of plants, the addition of coarse material at the bottom of containers does not improve drainage, and it may hinder growth (contrary to common "knowledge"). If you are willing to read a long (but rather interesting) explanation, see:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/...151724775.html

[Ifurita]

Alex, I'm thinking that D. capensis would be growing like a weed in your climate. D. capensis doesn't seem to be picky, as long as the medium doesn't go bone dry for a long period of time, it doesn't seem to care either way. I've got it growing in various conditions ranging from flooded undrained conditions all the way to shallow, drained trays that go dry between waterings and it doesn't really care. If you're on the lazy side like me, then go with an undrained container or just don't bother with the crock.