Fafard

[Dan Roman]

David,

Which Farfard mix do you use? Their web site indicates they make quite a
few. Did you know that they have a facility in Anderson, South Carolina?

Dan in zone 6 Pennsylvania




"Mellard, David" wrote:
>
> >Could you please explain what this is.
>
> Fafard is a soilless media used by many professional nurseries for growing
> plants.  The primary component is milled sphagnum moss (from Canada
> probably), which is treated somehow to make it more airy. It also has
> perlite in it and some versions may have fertilizer added.  When first
> watering it, care needs to be taken to ensure that it is watered long enough
> for the mix to absorb water if you are starting with dry mix.  Once wet, it
> retains water readily but yet remains very airy.  My trilliums love it and
> grow beautiful roots in it.  I have kept them in pots with Fafard over our
> very wet winters (outside) and they did great and did not rot even though we
> had lots of rain.  This gets back to the mix being very airy, yet water
> retentive.  It's also very easy to tell when the mix is drying out because
> it changes color.  One needs to be careful if moisture is a crucial factor
> for a particular plant because the top can be dry while deeper in the pot
> can still be wet or damp.  I am trying it now with some terrestrial orchids.
>
> There are other brands of soilless mix.  I use Fafard because it was
> recommended to me by an orchid friend.
>
> David
> Atlanta