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CORNELL POTTING MIXES
From Hobby Greenhouses in Alberta
Agdex 731-5
The Cornell peat-Lite Mix*
is formulated for growing topical plants. The
Foliage Plant Mix **
and the Epiphytic Mix**
formulas are adapted specifically for their respective
plant types and are modifications of the original
peat-lite mix.
Cornell has used Osmocote 14-14-14
and Peters 14-7-7 fertilizers with the tropical
plant mixes with good results. Other fertilizers
are omitted with the exception of dolomitic limestone
and 20 per cent superphosphate which are added
to adjust the pH and to maintain adequate phosphorus
levels. A trace element mix is added to assure
a balance of minor elements. Trace element mixes
can be purchased from specialty gardening centers.
* "Cornell Tropical Plant Mixes"
by Russel C. Mott
**L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York
Cornell Peat-lite Mix
Mix 1/2 cubic meter each of sphagnum
peat moss and perlite or vermiculite. Add 6kg
dolomitic limestone, 2.4 kg ammonium nitrate,
1.5 kg superphosphate, and 0.3 kg potassium chloride
(omit if using vermiculite).
Cornell Foliage Plant Mix
The Cornell Foliage Plant Mix was
developed for those plant that need a growing
medium with high moisture-retention characteristics.
Plants having a fine root system or possessing
many fine root hairs are included in this group.
| Material |
1 cubic meter |
| Sphagnum peat moss (screened
1/2 inch mesh) |
0.5 |
| Horticultural vermiculite (No.
2) |
0.25 |
| Perlite (medium grade) |
0.25 |
| Ground dolomitic limestone |
4.9 kg |
| Superphosphate 20% (powdered) |
1.2 kg |
| Fertilizer (10-10-10) |
1.6 kg |
| Iron sulfate |
0.4 kg |
| Potassium nitrate (14-0-44) |
0.6 kg |
| Granular wetting agent |
0.9 kg |
Cornell Epiphytic Mix
The Cornell Epiphytic Mix was developed
for plants that require good drainage, aeration
and have the ability to withstand drying between
warterings. Plants having coarse, tuberous, or
rhizomatous roots are in this category.
| Material |
1 cubic meter |
| Sphagnum peat moss (screened
1/2 inch mesh) |
0.33 |
| Douglas, red or white fir bark*
(about 0.5 cm size) |
0.33 |
| Perlite (medium grade) |
0.25 |
| Ground dolomitic limestone |
4.2 kg |
| Superphosphate 20% (powdered) |
2.7 kg |
| Fertilizer (10-10-10) |
1.5 kg |
| Iron sulfate |
0.3 kg |
| Potassium nitrate (14-0-44) |
0.5 kg |
| Granular wetting agent |
0.9 kg |
* Fir bark comes from Douglas fir,
white or red fir, or redwood, ground and screened
to a definite size. Finally ground bark (about
0.5 cm) has a dry weight of about 200 g per liter
cube. Fresh bark has a pH of about 5.0. Upon weathering,
it becomes slightly more alkaline. The bark contains
some nutrients, but these will not meet the requirements
of growing plants.
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