Newly Posted Articles

POTS: Are Clay or Plastic Ones Preferable?

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago The main thing is to use only one kind, in order to achieve uniform watering if possible; if a choi ce is faced, choose clay pots with at least three slits in the sides low down because it is impos... Read More

POTTING MEDIA: The Best by Test

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago Of crushed granite, coarse bark, charcoal, peach pips, peanut husks, peat, perlite, polystyrene, vermiculite, coarse sand, broken brick, pine needles, foam rubber, etc., and "flaky" bark and the be... Read More

POTTING MEDIA: The Fine Ingredients Can Be Harmful

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago In an open mix do not add such things as peat moss, or sand as they cause rotting of the roots, excess water retention, salts retention, and black rot. AU84-202 Read More

POTTING MEDIA: Water Retentiveness

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago To reverse the usual levels of wetness try large polystyrene chunks at the bottom of the pots, large cork bits or wine corks in the middle and top it off with an inch of peat and perlite; it is enh... Read More

POTTING: Common Faults

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago The usual ones are: repotting at the wroag season; overpotting; not taking enough care in dividing plants; placing the back end of a sympodial too far down in the mix to get it upright; not repotti... Read More

POTTING: Overpotting of Seedlings by Design

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago A reasonably safe method is to choose a well-drained container which avoids sogginess, such as a Rand Aircone plastic pot and use a mix of coarse pebbles as drainage, then a layer of hardwood charc... Read More

PREDATORS: For Pest Control

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago Ladybugs are used as a remedy against aphids very successfully up to a point, but before all the aphids were exterminated the ladybugs disappeared, presumably to look for a larger supply elsewhere.... Read More

SPRAYS: Against Fungus and Bacteria

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago Physan 20 appears to be an effective bactericide, and it also kills some fungi; the most effective fungicide is Benlate; could be used in a program several times a year. A76-698 Read More

PRESERVATIVES: Wood and Metal

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago Most of them injure plants; paints, creosotes, pentachlorophenol (penta) all have toxic effects; for methods of counteracting refer to AH53. only one is safe to use on wood benches and that is cupr... Read More

PROPAGATION: By Flower Stem Cuttings

Author is Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler), posted over 7 years ago Plantlets on Phaius form at nodes of the cut stalks; after flowering cut the stalk closely to the base, remove the top just below its first blossom point, divide with at least three nodes per secti... Read More