It's nothing special, I've just been doing some transplanting und snapped some "root" pics. I think I removed 2/3 of their root system along with the stones even though I tried not to. Now my 9 seedlings have a little more room to grow again. Well, not much more but still.
Hi Rika,
ReplyDeleteThose are very nice looking root systems on your Frithias. The average growers never gives enough attention to the condition of the roots. One of my professors in horticulture told me, "If you want to know the potential health of a plant, examine its root system." Steven Hammer seems to make a point about the pH requirements between Fritha pulchra and Frithia humilis. He says you must keep the soil acidic for F. pulchra, while F. humilis is tolerant of a wide range of soil pH's. Since you are using pure pumice, which is reported to have a neutral pH (7.0) your pH is probably dependent on your water pH. If your water is from a city supply it may be alkaline. However you seem to do relatively well growing Frithia (better than most of us)but it would be interesting to explore the media pH issue concerning F. pulchra and it's lack of flowering at your location. I always have enjoyed diagnosing plant problems. :)
Hi Bob!
DeleteThanks for posting your thoughts on the matter :)
I don't have the resources to vary the soil mix, I use pumice for everything. But I could do something about the water. Someone told me you get acidic water by adding a couple of drops of vinegar to it. I never tried but now that I have two pots of F. humilis I actually could try it on one bunch (I'm extra cautious with them). Allthough it's the F. pulchra with the flowering issue (?). I'm sure F. humilis are still too young/small for that. But who knows. I had my F. pulchra for less than a year. If it doesn't flower next year and the year after that, there might be a problem. At the moment it's just a plant that would like to focus of its career instead of family :D