Some things I put that crushed coral on the bottom of their pots last fall did terrible with it. Others went berserk and grew like crazy. pentaphebia (sp) is one of the ones that grows like gang busters with it. Here is some cuttings I took a couple of months ago and potted up 2 weeks ago. When I potted them up, I added a little of that coral to the bottom with the perilite. Look how they are growing.
Marcy I use crushed coral in all of my eriostemmas and they have put on mad growth!! I may try it in some of my other hoyas!
Blessings,
Awanda
I would caution you on using it with other hoyas. I used it in my mix before I starting using Promix in my mix. It turns out that Promix and Supersoil and many of those already have a 'sweetener' mixed in. When I tested the pH I got a reading of over 7.5 while most hoyas enjoy a more acid soil (5.5-6.5). The Eriostemmas apparently like it a bit sweeter, as well (I have heard) H. imperialis. In order to get the pH DOWN, I cut out the crushed coral and cut down on the ProMix...added more peat. It is now about 6.0 and I am happy with that.
Just my opinion.... :>)
Yes, some of them definately dont like it.... densifloia for one. It got all corroded looking leaves & stopped growing when I used it.
Also some of the thinner leaved ones started dropping leaves when I used it. I think Cindy lost a plant when she added it,....So you must know which ones want it ....or NOT.
Marcy
I have found my pH meter VERY useful...VERY!!! I mix large batches at a time....and test all of them. I had no idea that Promix had dolomite added. They do had some nutrients, but they don't even register on 'the meter'.
What in the heck is dolomite Carol? I have never heard of this befor. There are a couple other hoya that benefit from crushed coral but I can't think of them off the top of my head.
Dolomite is Dolomitic Lime (I think that is the correct term)...it is mostly used planting in landscape when the soil is very acid...it allows plants to take up nutrients more efficiently. I think it is a form of calcium that is easily taken up by the plants. Crushed coral does the same thing.
Hoyas that like the soil sweeter tend to be those found growing where there is a substrate of Limestone (High pH) rather than Granite (more acid).
No doubt we will find the correct answer to this on another forum, after this has been read and digested by others....
Carol
Thats interesting. Sounds like it would be safe for all the hoya's, if it allows the plants to take up nutrients. Hmmm?
Tami...only if the plants are in soil that is TOO acid does the Dolomite help. Plants that LIKE acid don't have a problem...unless the soil is TOO acid.
Darn, I thought maybe just a pinch would help them all. I better get one of those soil testers.
The orchid mix I've been adding to the potting mix I've been potting my hoyas in has charcoal in it. Since charcoal acts as a soil sweetener would it be making the mix too alkaline? Should I remove it from the orchid mix on all the hoyas except the Eriostemmas?
Sandy
You can buy some pH test strips at your local garden store... Anyway, it's hard to say what the pH is... affected by water too .. unless you test it....
Good idea....I'll see if I can find some and see if I can find some neem oil at the same time. Thanks Carol.
Sandy
