February 27, 2013 | #436 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 637
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Wow, Levent, how cool is that photo. I think I'll do an experiment with something transparent too. It would sure give me a good indicator when the pot becomes filled up with a good root suppy. This tread is so interesting every time I come here I learn something for all of you.
Without holes in the bottom, is it a matter of careful watering and a very deep cup? |
February 27, 2013 | #437 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Turkey
Posts: 393
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Zeroma you're right, without bottom/side holes you have to check the water level regularly/frequently.Deeper cups are better than shallow ones.They keep much water in the bottom.Overwatering/drowning risk and water loss due to evaporation is also less than shallow pots.
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March 7, 2013 | #438 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Vaasa, Finland, latitude N 63°
Posts: 838
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I saw a product called EcoTraction in stores here. The MSDS says that it is potassium-cacium-sodium-aluminosilicate and a hydrothermal volcanic material. The web site also says that plants can grow in it. I wonder if this is same or similar as DE.
It is quite pricey, but the only other similar product available here is red moler clay cat litter, which has fragrance with it, so I may try also this for seed starting and growing plants. Sari
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"I only want to live in peace, plant potatoes and dream." - Moomin-troll by Tove Jansson |
March 7, 2013 | #439 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Texas Coastal Bend
Posts: 3,205
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Quote:
Ecotraction link to info about using in the garden. http://www.ecotraction.com/Course_en...?jumptopage=11 I think this would probably be a good alternative to DE. Don't use the clay, it will clump and it wouldn't provide enough aeration to the roots. I am definitely interested in how this ecotraction stuff would work and would like to hear how your experiment goes. Good luck. Hmm, this ecotraction is available nearby to me, about a half hour drive. I will have to keep this in mind so I can try it for the next seedling. Store search http://www.ecotraction.com/search.php
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In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~ Last edited by Rockporter; March 7, 2013 at 07:17 PM. |
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March 7, 2013 | #440 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 692
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I was beginning to lose hope of using DE this season. Here in Ontario, Canada all I could find in the Dollar stores was clay or Sodium Benonite, not at all what I need.
Today I found a garage supply they had "Qualisorb #628N, Calcined Diatomite in 22 Litre" bags. Yipeeee. I Googled it and it came up as DE. How about that? Still under 2 feet of snow, but at least it's warming up, so springs on it's way. |
March 7, 2013 | #441 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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Sorry about your snow; but I wouldn't mind one month of really cold weather every couple of years to help kill back the fusarium and nematodes along with other pests that love our warm winters. The last few years we have not had many days in the twenties and none in the low twenties.
I think you will be really pleased with the results of using DE as a seed starter. It is so easy to work with and seeds just seem to sprout faster and with higher germination rates. Bill |
March 7, 2013 | #442 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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Quote:
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March 7, 2013 | #443 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 1,413
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Like a cation tug-o-war between the roots and the zeolyte?
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March 7, 2013 | #444 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: California
Posts: 942
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RayR your a wealth of information! Always learning something new here.
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March 7, 2013 | #445 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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Quote:
You also have Diatomite Canada in Ontario that distributes horticultural grade Australian Diatomite. You might want to check them out, I can get it here across the border from the local Hydroponics store, but it's a bit expensive. |
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March 7, 2013 | #446 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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Pretty much. Botanicare recently came out with a couple coco/zeolite growing mediums, COCOROX and SLACKER that illustrate the point, they pre-charge their zeolite with their Pure Blend Pro nutrients. They even sell their pre-charged Zeolite blend alone as an amendment which they call Hydrolite
I've been playing around with Zeolite myself as an amendment since last summer and made my own coco/zeolite mix this winter to try it with Alpine Strawberries indoors. Quote:
Let me make something clear. I'm not a geologist, but occasionally I might play one here on TV. |
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March 8, 2013 | #447 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Parma, OH
Posts: 147
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I've been browsing this thread and want to give DE a try. Any tips for the best lb/price ratio? I see moltan ultrasorb at orielly for $8 (25lbs), or $6 (15lbs) at autozone. Do the cat litter brands beat that price at a stable PH? Thanks for any help!
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March 8, 2013 | #448 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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I have only used the Ultrasorb from Auto Zone and it has been fantastic. I see no need to try anything else at this point unless it becomes hard to get. Fifteen pounds when using egg cartons for trays will go a very long way. It is so much cheaper than any other seed starting mix and so easy to use. I find the size of the Utrasorb to be just about perfect for any size seed that I will be transplanting except beans which I prefer to plant in potting soil because it clings to their limited roots better.
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March 8, 2013 | #449 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 637
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RayR,
I'm about to start my tomato seeds and don't recall if you cover your egg cartons with Saran Wrap or put the cartons in plastic bags. I don't think you do because the DE stays moist enough. |
March 8, 2013 | #450 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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I've never used egg cartons, I use nursery trays and cell packs for most things, but it's the same basic thing. I always place a humidity dome on top, because you still lose a lot of moisture from evaporation on a heat mat.. Ya, I would cover them with something until they pop up.
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