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What is this Growing Medium?
- Thread starter Acro
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Where is the photo from? Is it someone you can ask ... or could it be a random person who bought a Nep with no idea of what to do with it and posted a photo online?
It might just be a thin layer of gravel over something else, as Pittsy said, but fine gravel might be a good growing medium if growing conditions are tightly controlled, although the Nep could be dead in an afternoon if conditions aren't. I grow Sarrs in pots of 1" wood chips sitting in water. It works here in the NE US, but probably would fail in a hotter, drier place unless some kind of water flow could be maintained.
I had some rupicolous Laelias back in my orchid days, a type that grows in the gravel and debris in cracks in open Brazilian bedrock, and I grew them in little clay pots of fine gravel. They looked really cool growing like that.
It might just be a thin layer of gravel over something else, as Pittsy said, but fine gravel might be a good growing medium if growing conditions are tightly controlled, although the Nep could be dead in an afternoon if conditions aren't. I grow Sarrs in pots of 1" wood chips sitting in water. It works here in the NE US, but probably would fail in a hotter, drier place unless some kind of water flow could be maintained.
I had some rupicolous Laelias back in my orchid days, a type that grows in the gravel and debris in cracks in open Brazilian bedrock, and I grew them in little clay pots of fine gravel. They looked really cool growing like that.
DragonsEye
carnivorous plants of the world -- unite!
I would also say gravel or, perhaps, a LECA analog.
From what I can see, this material is the only material being used.
From what I can see, this material is the only material being used.
D
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Hello, the medium in the photo is called Kanuma, (that orange color and shape is the tell tale look of it) it is a Japanese substrate mined out of the mountains (then baked & sifted) and typically used for bonsai. It is commonly used for "acidic loving plants" however this is often debated, and I don't think its actually leaning on the acidic side, but rather more just a good buffer. It comes in a few different sized grits. Its good for both maintaining moisture and providing drainage.
I was recommended using it for darlingtonia, but I'm sure it would work good for sarrs and other stuff too.
I have never heard of nepenthes being grown in it (I don't grow neps), but that plant looks pretty healthy in it.
I was recommended using it for darlingtonia, but I'm sure it would work good for sarrs and other stuff too.
I have never heard of nepenthes being grown in it (I don't grow neps), but that plant looks pretty healthy in it.
DragonsEye
carnivorous plants of the world -- unite!
From what I've read, it is basicly a form of light weight pumice and for all intents and purposes is quite similar to perlite. (Including perlite's irritating "float to the surface" tendencies.) Here's a link that talks about it --- Kanuma soil.
