bifurcatum: Some Question

[David]

bifurcatum
Senior Member

member is offline

Joined: Jan 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 381
Location: Batu Pahat, Johor
SOME QUESTION

1.can i use charcoal, coconut peat, s. moss this media to grow neps?






artificialive
Pioneer Member / Global Moderator

member is offline


Joined: Dec 2006
Gender: Male
Posts: 713
Location: Ayer Keroh, Malacca
Re: SOME QUESTION

Hi bifurcatum,
The best medium to grow neps and all CPs is the new zealand sphagnum moss/ peat moss. Coconut peat is an alternative of growing neps in a cheaper way (i admit that i always choose the cheaper option). However, when it is cheap, there are several drawbacks that u have to accept. Firstly, coconut peat tends to breakdown easily and a lot faster than spgahnum moss. Thus u have to repot ur CPs frequently. Moreover, it will attract ants to make their nest in the coconut peat. Altho ants does not harm your CPs, remember that ants can act as a vector to carry bacteria.


David
Administrator

member is online

Joined: Dec 2006
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,326
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Re: SOME QUESTION

You must also be careful where the coconut peat comes from. If it was harvested from coconut trees by the seaside, thre might be salt in ther media. When you grow your cp in them, they will die. coconut peat also give me fungus problem when I use them especially indoors in my terrariums and grow chamber.


David
Administrator

member is online

Joined: Dec 2006
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,326
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Re: SOME QUESTION

Charcoal is ok. Some cp growers use it and it is found naturally in areas where some cps grow. charcoal also absorbs chemicals that are harmful to cps. So it helps.


bifurcatum
Senior Member

member is offline

Joined: Jan 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 381
Location: Batu Pahat, Johor
Re: SOME QUESTION


did the sand that use for building content mineral???


David
Administrator

member is online

Joined: Dec 2006
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,326
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Re: SOME QUESTION

It is very subjective, but I think most of the time it is taken from rivers. If it is taken from rivers, it's ok. However, you still need to wash it very well before using it. Make sure any minerals or salts are washed away.

Problem is you will not know where it was taken from. If it is taken from the seaside, your cps will die. Best if you get them from nurseries. Some nurseries sell river sand