Sod mat method of growing aquatics applied to Sarracenia
Apr 16, 2019 9:50:28 GMT -5
dpowell, nclarkii, and 1 more like this
Post by jamesprice on Apr 16, 2019 9:50:28 GMT -5
In growing bare root stock for the aquatic plant business fertilizer was spread on these concrete raceways and then native clay was dumped and spread over the fertilizer aprox. 3 inches thick. Very lucrative. Water was raised just over the clay and then sprigged with bare root aquatics to establish a colony for easy harvest in most cases the next year. Hybrid rushes, cattails, iris, lilies, arums and other assorted ornamental aquatics. Water maintained at only 1/2 inch over the clay for maximum heat gain for increased growth rates in the beginning, depth increased as plants became mature. Different spacings depending on a particular plant's growth rate.
In this case experimenting with the mat growing method on Sarracenia and no less than a 3 year crop. More like 6-8 years to establish a full bed. Sarracenia are removed in tact from nine - 18 inch pots and allowed to grow 'free range' in a 4' x 22' concrete raceway, 6 to 10 inches of fresh peat on 2 inches of standing water. The deep media assisting in healthy aerobic conditions. Bacterial balance and soil health was maintained in the original peat planting media in the 12 inch deep X 18 inch diameter pots for 9 years so assumption is being made that the peat in this bed will stay healthy for another 10 years. Normally slow growing plants like Sarracenia would be single rhizomes sprigged on 6 inch centers, but in this case 9 - 18 inch diameter establishd pots will serve as the stock for this bed.
Growing media is Home Depot peat and added as needed.
The peat will be added over an extended period around the mother pots as the Sarracenia's growth warrants to choke out unwanted plants that WILL grow in naked uncolonized peat.
Work in progress, large pot and clumps in foreground to be relocated. Looks like 9 - 18 inch pots will be separated on equal centers over 22 feet and serve as the mother pots.
18 inch pots were un-potted on concrete walkway and transferred to empty pan conveniently from adjacent pan. Optimum spacing by sliding clumps around to final position for grow out.
In this case experimenting with the mat growing method on Sarracenia and no less than a 3 year crop. More like 6-8 years to establish a full bed. Sarracenia are removed in tact from nine - 18 inch pots and allowed to grow 'free range' in a 4' x 22' concrete raceway, 6 to 10 inches of fresh peat on 2 inches of standing water. The deep media assisting in healthy aerobic conditions. Bacterial balance and soil health was maintained in the original peat planting media in the 12 inch deep X 18 inch diameter pots for 9 years so assumption is being made that the peat in this bed will stay healthy for another 10 years. Normally slow growing plants like Sarracenia would be single rhizomes sprigged on 6 inch centers, but in this case 9 - 18 inch diameter establishd pots will serve as the stock for this bed.
Growing media is Home Depot peat and added as needed.
The peat will be added over an extended period around the mother pots as the Sarracenia's growth warrants to choke out unwanted plants that WILL grow in naked uncolonized peat.
Work in progress, large pot and clumps in foreground to be relocated. Looks like 9 - 18 inch pots will be separated on equal centers over 22 feet and serve as the mother pots.
18 inch pots were un-potted on concrete walkway and transferred to empty pan conveniently from adjacent pan. Optimum spacing by sliding clumps around to final position for grow out.