Terrarium substrate non-perlite

Richard xerics@cox.net
Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:18:36 PST
There is a product called Dry Stall which is sold by many feed
and hardware stores as a floor drier for horse stalls. It is all
pumice, but not quite the size you would like for succulents.
Particle size is somewhat smaller. As far as I know, it is
shipped across the country. At least I was able to get it in the
Atlanta area. The company is in San Clemente California. Way
back then, a 40 lb bag cost $9.00.

Richard
San Diego County

-----Original Message-----
From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jane McGary
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 10:49 AM
To: Pacific Bulb Society
Subject: Re: [pbs] Terrarium substrate non-perlite

A fast-draining mineral alternative to Perlite is horticultural 
pumice, which can now be purchased in small quantities in many
garden 
centers in areas where this rock is not "native." Also, I think
an 
attractive way of growing some of the more epiphytic plants in a

terrarium would be to plant them in thick moss growing on a
rock, if 
you happen to live where such mossy rocks can be obtained (I
know, 
probably not in Arizona). My woods have big piles of rocks
dumped 
there many decades ago by farmers, and because these rocks have
a 
porous surface layer, they host lovely mats of moss, in which
I've 
planted such things as certain types of Saxifraga, small
Heuchera, 
and ferns. I'll bet some of the small species of Asiatic Primula

would do well, and also some of the gesneriads. Keeping the moss

planting in a closed environment would provide enough humidity
to 
prevent the moss going dormant in summer.

This is getting pretty far from bulbs, I admit!

Jane McGary




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