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When first putting down leaf cuttings do not feed until you see the babies coming thru the soil.
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When the babies are an inch or so high, cut off the mother leaf and watch the babies grow. If it is a variegated variety make sure the babies have plenty of green showing, otherwise leave the
mother leaf on until they do.
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When a mother leaf gets too big and is blocking light from others, take a pair of scissors and trim her back.
Tip Cuttings And Suckers
When putting in tip cuttings and AV suckers, put some soil in the bottom of the pot and put in 4 or 5 pellets of 14-14-14 Osmocote slow release fertilizer, then finish putting the rest of the soil in the pot. When the roots start growing and they reach the fertilizer it will give the new plants a good start.
Potting (All)
Do
not pack the soil around the plant with your fingers. Tap the
pot on the work surface to settle it in around the plant. Roots
won't get the air they need if the soil is packed in. It is
very important to the learn difference.
Regular Potting Mix
This potting
mix is what we use for bottom or top watering.
12 quarts Pro Mix BX
12 quarts course perlite
12 quarts course vermiculite
2 cups charcoal (optional)
Potting Mix For Wick Or Matt Watering
12 quarts Pro Mix BX
12 quarts course perlite
6 quarts course vermiculite
2 cups charcoal (optional)
If you wish to make the mix heavier or lighter, add or take away vermiculite.
Wick Or Matt Watering
Contrary to popular belief, the size of the wick does not control how much moisture your plants receive. Your potting mix does!
PVC Table Top Light Stand
Follow the photo for assembly.
The table top light stand is simple and cheap to build. It is approximately 4' long and 31" high. It is made from 1" pvc purchased from the home store.
You will need the following: 6 elbows, 2 t's, 4 pcs cut to 5" long, 2 pcs cut to 19" long, and 1 pc cut to 49.5" to 50" long. These lengths should be varible to your own personal needs.
The only part you will need to
cement is the two elbows at each end
of the 49.5" cross peice This will
prevent it from pulling apart. Not
cementing the rest of the stand will
allow you to take it apart for
storage.
Now all you will need is a 4' flo-fixture,
40 watt, two bulbs. I do not
recommend that you purchase the $8
shop light because the reflector is
not big enough to distribute the
light efficiently.
Matted Reservoir
Select a container with a matching lid. If you do not use a purchased one, but a used container, you will have to cut two holes in the lid to accommodate the wick. Next cut your mat (I use fleece) to fit the top of your lid. Note, this material must be a synthetic material and not a natural fiber. The natural fiber will rot. Now cut a strip of yarn 8" or 9" long depending on the depth of your container. Before you use your reservoir, you must pre-soak the mat and the wick for it to work. Fill your reservoir with water and plant food, Set your plant on top of the matting on the reservoir and you're in business. These reservoirs will last me 2 or 3 weeks. Mine are 32 oz in size. Some plants take up more water than others, so this may vary.
The hole
in the edge of the mat in the
picture is for filling the
reservoir. Align the hole in the
mat with the hole in the
reservoir lid for filling.
For me this method is better
than the regular wicking method.
It has far less failures.
