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Washing peat?
- Thread starter pond boy
- Start date
Washing Peat? I'm not sure I understand your question.
All I do is put x-amount of water and x-amount of peat in a bowl. The peat floats, so I press it down with my hand until some of it has absorbed water and start mixing it together. Then I add whatever other ingrediants.
Its very dusty, but I'm not sure you CAN wash peat. Peat Moss, Right?
All I do is put x-amount of water and x-amount of peat in a bowl. The peat floats, so I press it down with my hand until some of it has absorbed water and start mixing it together. Then I add whatever other ingrediants.
Its very dusty, but I'm not sure you CAN wash peat. Peat Moss, Right?
Yes, peat can and should be washed. Independent studies by several growers using TDS meters to analyze water taken from rinsed peat have demonstrated readings of over 1000 PPM in some cases. CP generally prefer less than 100 PPM.
This incicates a high mineral presence in peat, right from the bale. The same problem exists in silica sand: micronutrients are present in both.
There is peat, and there is peat. Natural anaerobic bacteria in the lower levels of a peat bog are responsible for adding carbonates (lime) into the peat. The best peat comes from the upper layers of a harvested bog. Lower down you start running into problems.
If these nutrients are allowed to remain in the substrate, they can favor the growth of cyanobacteria (already present as spores in the peat). These organisms have the capability of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into the mix, another no no when it comes to CP culture. This in turn provides what is needed for mosses to colonize the pot to the detriment of the plants.
So my advice is to always rinse the peat and sand that you use.
Here is my method. Take (2) 5 gallon buckets. Add peat and pure water to the first. Knead the water into the peat, and allow to stand for a few days. Then scoop out the sodden peat, and wring it out. Put this moss into the other bucket. When this bucket is half full, repeat the process. Do the same with the silica sand, rinsing it until the water runs clear.
Make up your pots with these products. I try to make up as many pots in the spring as I think I am going to need for the season. Once the pots are made up, I place them outside where the seasons rains can leach through the pots, carrying away addidtional minerals that may be present. I use the oldest pots first.
That's the way I do it.
This incicates a high mineral presence in peat, right from the bale. The same problem exists in silica sand: micronutrients are present in both.
There is peat, and there is peat. Natural anaerobic bacteria in the lower levels of a peat bog are responsible for adding carbonates (lime) into the peat. The best peat comes from the upper layers of a harvested bog. Lower down you start running into problems.
If these nutrients are allowed to remain in the substrate, they can favor the growth of cyanobacteria (already present as spores in the peat). These organisms have the capability of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into the mix, another no no when it comes to CP culture. This in turn provides what is needed for mosses to colonize the pot to the detriment of the plants.
So my advice is to always rinse the peat and sand that you use.
Here is my method. Take (2) 5 gallon buckets. Add peat and pure water to the first. Knead the water into the peat, and allow to stand for a few days. Then scoop out the sodden peat, and wring it out. Put this moss into the other bucket. When this bucket is half full, repeat the process. Do the same with the silica sand, rinsing it until the water runs clear.
Make up your pots with these products. I try to make up as many pots in the spring as I think I am going to need for the season. Once the pots are made up, I place them outside where the seasons rains can leach through the pots, carrying away addidtional minerals that may be present. I use the oldest pots first.
That's the way I do it.
jimscott
Tropical Fish Enthusiast
Yes you should, pond boy. I'm sure it's different from peat to peat, but the stuff that sinks in my peat is this black slimy sludge. I throw it out.
Also, don't forget to nuke it (dry) before you wash it. Microwave the heck out of it. I put a bowl in for 4 minutes, but it depends on microwave and amount.
Capslock
Also, don't forget to nuke it (dry) before you wash it. Microwave the heck out of it. I put a bowl in for 4 minutes, but it depends on microwave and amount.
Capslock
I don't soak it for days. I usually soak it just overnight, and sometimes just for a few hours. I usually get about 30 - 40% of it sinking to the bottom. I realize this is a very imperfect method, as if you don't wait long enough, non sinks, and if you wait too long, all of it sinks. There's a happy medium in there.
Also, I really like Tamlin's advice to wring it out and transfer to another bucket. This really accomplishes the same thing, by squeezing out the sludge.
Capslock
Also, I really like Tamlin's advice to wring it out and transfer to another bucket. This really accomplishes the same thing, by squeezing out the sludge.
Capslock
