Diatomaceous Earth as a seed starting medium - Page 14

Levent · November 17, 2012

Ray, it will be the first time and also a challenge in winter/under lights.I'll share the progress by posting in this topic.I like dealing with inconspicuous species from Solanaceae.Lost crops of the Inkas!

ChrisK · November 19, 2012

How do you keep a thick layer of algae from growing on it?

Levent · November 19, 2012

I have never confronted with a deep layer of algae on diatomite!Algae grow only on upper surface of particles.Green algae are harmless to seedlings.

RayR · November 20, 2012

I haven't had a deep layer of algae either. I know in actively aerated hydroponic systems where the surface of the substrate is very wet all the time, they can sometimes multiply to form an thick green slime layer if there is not a cap over the top of the substrate to block the light, but no issues like that with a passive system.
They are not only harmless to plants, but they can be beneficial also. They photosynthesize their own food and release oxygen into the media. When they die, they are food for other organisms which adds organic matter and nutrients. Where there is some moisture and light there will be algae. They grow on the white vinyl siding of my house too, which bothers my wife.

Levent · December 7, 2012

I transplanted Red Robin to a 1.5 lt subirrigation pot 10 days ago.No need to say I used only diatomite as potting medium.Et voila first buds appeared on tip!

greentiger87 · December 9, 2012

Calendula worked beautifully. The root systems were fantastic, and that made transplanting truly a breeze.

Coriander also came up and transplanted well.

Nasturtium still hasn't germinated, I'm thinking I got a couple bad batches of seed.

Baizanator · December 10, 2012

Just FYI, in the test I did, the Moltan Ultrasorb came in solidly at No. 1. The plants had more biomass and the highest germination rate. Average seedling weight of 3.28 grams and germination rate of 80%.

Redbaron · December 10, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baizanator

Just FYI, in the test I did, the Moltan Ultrasorb came in solidly at No. 1. The plants had more biomass and the highest germination rate. Average seedling weight of 3.28 grams and germination rate of 80%.

Thanks! That's good info to know!

December 11, 2012

I am very impressed with your experimants(great photo comparisons), Ray. At the present time I am using UltraSorb for rooting cuttings- too soon to tell yey, but I'm optomistic.

RayR · December 11, 2012

I rooted some Coleus cuttings in DE from a house plant a few months ago, it worked well.

It's good to see you guys are getting good results.

Baizanator, do have any pics from the project?

Baizanator · December 11, 2012

I have a few pics. I'll just post a side by side comparison of root development on two plants. Since DE performed better, you should be able to tell which is which.

Redbaron · December 11, 2012

BTW Forgot to ask. Was that the coarse or the medium ultrasorb?

Baizanator · December 11, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redbaron

BTW Forgot to ask. Was that the coarse or the medium ultrasorb?

It was the medium.

ChrisK · December 11, 2012

Can you share the results of your ANOVA?

Baizanator · December 12, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisK

Can you share the results of your ANOVA?

Maybe in the next few weeks. I'm in the process of moving to OK so everything is packed at the moment.

December 11, 2012	#207
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	BTW Forgot to ask. Was that the coarse or the medium ultrasorb? __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

November 17, 2012	#196
Levent Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Turkey Posts: 393	Ray, it will be the first time and also a challenge in winter/under lights.I'll share the progress by posting in this topic.I like dealing with inconspicuous species from Solanaceae.Lost crops of the Inkas!

November 19, 2012	#197
ChrisK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,448	How do you keep a thick layer of algae from growing on it?

November 19, 2012	#198
Levent Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Turkey Posts: 393	I have never confronted with a deep layer of algae on diatomite!Algae grow only on upper surface of particles.Green algae are harmless to seedlings.

November 20, 2012	#199
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	I haven't had a deep layer of algae either. I know in actively aerated hydroponic systems where the surface of the substrate is very wet all the time, they can sometimes multiply to form an thick green slime layer if there is not a cap over the top of the substrate to block the light, but no issues like that with a passive system. They are not only harmless to plants, but they can be beneficial also. They photosynthesize their own food and release oxygen into the media. When they die, they are food for other organisms which adds organic matter and nutrients. Where there is some moisture and light there will be algae. They grow on the white vinyl siding of my house too, which bothers my wife.

December 9, 2012	#201
greentiger87 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Houston, TX - 9a Posts: 211	Calendula worked beautifully. The root systems were fantastic, and that made transplanting truly a breeze. Coriander also came up and transplanted well. Nasturtium still hasn't germinated, I'm thinking I got a couple bad batches of seed.

December 10, 2012	#202
Baizanator Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hamilton, Texas Posts: 382	Just FYI, in the test I did, the Moltan Ultrasorb came in solidly at No. 1. The plants had more biomass and the highest germination rate. Average seedling weight of 3.28 grams and germination rate of 80%.

December 11, 2012	#204
JoParrott Guest Posts: n/a	I am very impressed with your experimants(great photo comparisons), Ray. At the present time I am using UltraSorb for rooting cuttings- too soon to tell yey, but I'm optomistic.

December 11, 2012	#205
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	I rooted some Coleus cuttings in DE from a house plant a few months ago, it worked well. It's good to see you guys are getting good results. Baizanator, do have any pics from the project?

December 11, 2012	#206
Baizanator Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hamilton, Texas Posts: 382	I have a few pics. I'll just post a side by side comparison of root development on two plants. Since DE performed better, you should be able to tell which is which.

December 11, 2012	#209
ChrisK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,448	Can you share the results of your ANOVA?