Hi all,
just went down to FEF area to today, thought I would give a report about Potting media and stuff.
Firstly, for stuff: the VFTs are going for 9.90 and Sarracenias for 13.80 as mentioned by KCH, not very healthy, but 'savable'.
There is a shop behind Goodwood (further down the road if you are approaching from FEF towards Goodwood(hey the name sounds wierd, did I get it wrong?)) And they sell ventratas (not the giant ones) and mirandas. I can see some fertillizers on the soil and it explains why there were only several shrivelled pitchers. They are quite large but in relatively small pots...but sorry I forgot to ask the pricing!
Secondly, for media: again at that shop behind goodwood: they are selling cocohusk- the thread like, nylon texture husk, not cocobark, cocopeat, or cocochips! for $4 in a bag of similar size to horti peat moss, if you know what I'm talking about!
And yes, horti peat moss at the shop on the left of FEF for $3.40 for 1kg. That shop also sells Horti Orchid mix. I was looking for fir/orchid bark all over hte place and finally found this: it says 'from aromatic pine bark.' Its selling $4.50 in similar sized bag...I need some advice since I dont have much room for error. It is brownish to black small, slightly flat and about 2 cm in length... ( I think I can use cornflakes as a comparison? - just not as brittle and half the size!
)What are your opinions on this? A description is found at
www.horti.com.sg but I am slightly worried since it says "a corrrect amount of fertillizer has already been included to get the plants off to a good start" and "Horti Orchid mix will supply your plants with all the nuitrients they need for strong and healthy growth during the first 6-8 weeks, after that, feeding is required during growht period" ... ... to use or not to use?!
this same shop has quite some other nice stuff like tillandsia... but getting back to media: they also sell charcoal and cocochips (not cocohusk, cocopeat,) It is quite difficult to describe...and I am not sure which part of the coconut tree it is from, but I have it already and it absorbs and holds water slightly but because of its shape, it also helps drainage. I just dont know how long all these stuff will last before decomposing or compacting...
oh yes, it sells for 1.20 in slightly smaller bag...didnt ask price of charcoal, but I think its in similar region
Lastly, as you should know, sphagnum at FEF, there is also vermiculite and perlite - thats what the label said, but perlite was out of stock...
Ok thats about all, hope info would benefit anyone going down anytime soon. So what are your opinions on the 'pine bark' ?
Thanks