LYNDYLOO Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Hi guys, I bought a couple of new plants from Animates yesterday, they are in plastic pots which are filled with some type of foam, do I take them out of the plastic pot thingy and the foam before planting?? Never quite know which is the right thing to do when it comes to this :facepalm: You thoughts on this is very much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 That foam is called mineral wool and it is used to propagate some plants. It also helps to keep the roots safe during transport. The plants will do better if released from that so the roots can get access to nutrients in the gravel. :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted February 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Awesome thanks Jennifer I shall release them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 I found that with my plants, the one plant that was left in the mineral wool has really taken off, the rest get dug up too often by my Bristlenose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 The rockwool is completely inert and is used to locate the plant while being fed in a hydroponics setup. They will do a lot better if planted out (if you can keep them planted) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 There has been some concern that man made vitreous fibres such as rock wool might be carcinogenic (like asbestos ) and so people are warned to avoiding breathing in the fibres when in a dry state. However, the current conclusion is that rock wool is safe with no excess lung cancers amongst end users. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 There has been some concern that man made vitreous fibres such as rock wool might be carcinogenic (like asbestos ) and so people are warned to avoiding breathing in the fibres when in a dry state. However, the current conclusion is that rock wool is safe with no excess lung cancers amongst end users. :smot: Relevance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Don't eat the wool! Rock wool is also one of the main media used for planting in aquaponics, and it is purchased in a dry state. The main users online at least seem to be americans growing marijuana for home use in hydroponic setups. I was going to purchase some as well for seeding my plants in my hydroton, but in the end I used cotton wool which seems to work too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Hi guys, I bought a couple of new plants from Animates yesterday, they are in plastic pots which are filled with some type of foam, do I take them out of the plastic pot thingy and the foam before planting?? I don't think she'll be sniffing the foam in the pot, or letting it dry out :gigl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 In aquaponics you just leave the rock wool there to support the roots. I can't see why it would be different for planting into some gravel. Wouldn't you also take the risk of damaging the root structure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 I don't think she'll be sniffing the foam in the pot, or letting it dry out :gigl: I certainly won't be :sml1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 The foam is another inert media like the rockwool and does nothing to feed the plant. Your problem seems to be keeping the plants planted. Might I suggest having a deeper sustrate or adding lead to the plants stem. The pots restrict root development which is a problem with heavy rooted plants like swords or crypts but not for most stem plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Lyndyloo - what sort of plants are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Have no idea what they are called Adrienne, people in Animates didn't know what they were called either. Looks very similar to this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.asp?id=452259789&cc=602&pid=144717985&hbc=&ct=link Phoenix seemed to think it was, Cyperus helferi. I'm really wanting to know in general if a plant should be removed from the pot before planting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 I'm really wanting to know in general if a plant should be removed from the pot before planting. Yes, absolutely. Remove the pot and that wool. If it's not a stem plant cut the ends of the roots off (a tiny bit) and plant with a fert ball for best results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Awesome, will do :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 In my opinion, which isn't backed by a lot of experience, it's a case by case basis. How deep is your substrate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 In my opinion, which isn't backed by a lot of experience, it's a case by case basis. How deep is your substrate? You dont have substrate! You have a decorative layer of gravel. In your case leaving them in the pots will probably be more beneficial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 You dont have substrate! You have a decorative layer of gravel. In your case leaving them in the pots will probably be more beneficial. Explains a lot :slfg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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