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http://db.tt/lzAuT8Pi
http://db.tt/wvR61BbN
http://db.tt/N4vK3Ncn

Ruby

Wow...this thread is so very quiet...

I would've answered earlier but I've been having computer issues - holding hands with HP support for most of the weekend.

What Turface product did you get? It does look rather small. You normally wouldn't need a wick with the gritty mic in most cases, but until you get a line on some larger Turface, it's probably a good idea.

You can place the screen over the top of the wick & it will work just fine liker that. I use strands from a rayon mop for my wicks.

{{gwi:4260}}

To share pictures, we usually upload to a web hosting site (I use Photobucket), then copy paste the hotmail link they provide to the text box.

Al

Is it ok if my screen is ON TOP of the wick (opposite from that of your picture setup?)

I got a Turface MVP product from ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TURFACE-MVP-CALCINED-CLAY-BONSAI-CACTUS-SOIL-2-GAL-/190588124984?pt=Fertilizer_Soil_Amendments&var=&hash=item7218223796). The fine granulation. The seller said it is 1/8th in average...but it turns out that most are 1/16th...next time, maybe I should try 3/16th? (it will just be slightly larger than the 1/8th?). The only reason I am getting this for much more expensive price on ebay is because I need it shipped (do not drive yet). It has been hard to locate materials. But good things is that I don't have many plants to transplant (only the most important ones gets the Gritty mix right now). Maybe in the future, I can find a better source.

I used lantern wick for the wick...I don't know if it is working right. It is moist...but I don't know if drains as efficiently.

So, currently, if I shake the pot (up and down), water will drain from it...does that mean there is perched water? Also, after I water, and let it drain for a while, and then I tilt the pot, more water will drain...does that mean my gritty mix failed? I am trying very hard to get the gritty mix to work, it just seems that my turface might be too small...but I did sift it over a insect screen and tried to get as much as the small particles out as possible.

Thank you Al for helping! I really really appreciate it!
Ruby

A few tips regarding the ReptiBark...

No sifting or screening is necessary. It's beautiful and dust free right out of the bag. I've never had any issues.

The only caveat is that the larger the bag, the larger the particles it may contain. The small 4 quart bags contain the perfect size. The medium and larger bags seem to contain larger bark pieces. I always opt for getting more of the smaller bags.

So, for future reference, try to get the small bags, and it's usable right out of the bag. You can moisten it before mixing the ingredients, or moisten it afterward... whichever is easier for you.

And... why didn't you call me, Al??!! We could have bypassed the tech geeks and got you up and running in no time flat! You know I married a techno-genius!! His tagline reads: "God made me simple; technology made me a god!"

Please, next time you have computer issues, do not hesitate to call! That's what friends are for! :-) Our number is plastered at the bottom of the emails I send.

Hi jodik! Thanks for the ReptiBark info! I will definitely keep that in mind next time.

Hey Jodik!!!!!

So good to see you around these parts. Please don't be a stranger.

Mike:-))))

I hope that my Gritty Mix is going to work!

I'll try not to be, Mike! :-) Winter is almost upon us, so I have more time to read and participate.

Rubyjchang, as long as you understand how the gritty mix works and why you're using it, you've got half of it down pat! The other part includes keeping a close eye on it when you first change over to its use, transitioning your plants to it... and understanding how to properly water, which is thoroughly.

The entire purpose of a medium is to support the plant, anchor the roots, and provide a catalyst for moisture and nutrition to the plant. As long as we understand this, and we know what makes for healthy roots, the rest is easy.

Container growing is not at all like growing in the ground/garden... and we're forcing plants to adapt to situations and environments that are fairly out of character, considering their natural habitats. The better of an environment we can provide for the roots, the healthier and happier our plants will be.

Happy Growing!

Good morning, Al, Jodi, and Mike!
It's great to see all of you here...! Jodi, well said on all counts.

Ruby, you mentioned that your wick is opposite of Al's (in the picture).
In Al's pic, you are seeing the "top" length of the wick which is curled in the bottom of the pot.
It is difficult to see, but the wick passes through the screen in the drainage hole and dangles
out below the drainage hole (below the container).

Josh

Hello Everyone!!

Hi Jodi,

Nice to see you.. i hope all is well with you and your family!! We have missed you!

Hi Mike!! Josh, AL.. Good Morning to you too!

Rubijchang,

Sounds like you have all of your ingredients to start on a great adventure for you and your plants!! You will be so happy!!

Take Care,

Laura in VB

{{gwi:6819}}

{{gwi:6822}}

Al

Viola! ;-)

Josh

Thank you everyone for your support and advice! I am so glad to have people to go to for question. So, I have a few more questions/concerns. I am also trying to read more about soil and container growing in the forum! I am a very very beginner in container gardening. Currently, I am trying to gather the information and understand it.

So a couple of questions:
1) It is inevitable probably that I have perched water in my Gritty Mix. Even though I did screened the turface, most of my turface are just over 1/16th inch...not larger than 1/10th. Will that very significantly affect my plants currently in this Gritty Mix? (I do have a wick...but I am very unsure that it is working correctly). This mix should be alright for now? Al's picture of your wick really helped me...I think my set up before is not very good since I have the wick curled at the bottom of the pot with a couple of inch falling form drainage hole, and then have the screen OVER the curled wick (so the wick is not actually touching the soil...well, at least not a lot of it, only through the hole of the screen). I am worried about the current plants in this sort-of-failure Gritty Mix...what can I do?

Is there a way to insert the wick in there correctly after the plant is already in the pot?

2)...this might be a silly question...I think that the top layer of the Gritty Mix (also any soil) will dry out faster than the bottom layers. So when the top layer dry out before the bottom, will that kill off some of the finer roots that is very shallow and in the upper layer of the soil? I am sorry if this question is too silly...it just pop into my mind today...

Thank you all so so much!
Ruby

...so I just read the threat on PWT http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg0914024623640.html

So obviously...I have quite a bit of perched water since when I tilt more water drain (understanding: smaller area in triangle so forcing water out by gravity)...uh oh...