The air and water content of a growing mix is affected by how it is handled. Compaction of a growing mix can cut in half or even eliminate the air space necessary for good drainage.
University of
Massachusetts Extension floriculture specialist Tina Smith said to minimize compaction, containers, cell packs and plug trays should be lightly filled with medium, Brush away the excess. Here are more don’ts:
* Don’t pack or tamp media down.
* Don’t tap down filled containers on the bench.
* Don’t stack containers directly on top of the pots.
* Don’t stacktrays directly over one another.
Add water to the mix before filling containers. The medium should be moistened, then mixed and allowed to set overnight before sowing or planting. If the filled containers are needed sooner, wait a couple of hours after wetting the mix to aid in hydration.
For more: Tina Smith,
University of
Massachusetts, (413) 545-5306;
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
; www.negreenhouseupdate.info.
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