catchflower

[G. Svanholm]

At 17:55 2006-10-30 -0600, you wrote:
>Hello Ken.  Well thought-out and well-said, in my opinion.  I think this
list has NEEDED the kind of cultural notes you have just offered.  Everybody
thinks they know what "good drainage"  is. I'm beginning to wonder if
they're not  "off the mark" because this varies with geography, climate,
etc.  A steep hill can provide as good drainage with clay, as a flat
situation in crushed rock and gravel. vewn if the micronutrients are not the
same, nor the  mycorrhizae.  I further have heard that the Denver Bot Gard
has given up the term in favor of something else, (which I've forgotten).
Cheers,  Adam     

It is not the drainage as such that is needed. The underground parts need
oxygene if water fills all voids in the soil, the oxygen will soon be
depleted and the plant will suffocate.
It is really areration that is needed. The importance varies with the kind
of plant. Many plants that grow in waterlogged conditions supply oxygene to
the rots from above. Obviously plants that grow naturally in well areated
soils are most sensitive to oxygen depletion. 

G=F6te