Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Ian Young's Bulb Log - Feedback Forum => Topic started by: Shadylanejewel on March 09, 2012, 06:19:07 AM
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www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2005/030505/log.html (http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2005/030505/log.html)
Hello Ian,
First I would like to say a big thank you for taking the time to provide all the incredible information in your bulb logs. I've been trying to get caught up in reading the 10 years worth. ;D
Regarding the second to the last photo "Erythronium plunge covered", I'm in the process of building plunges inside my shade house and am wondering what type of growing mixture you use in the plunge and are these also planted in the pond baskets?
I've also been trying to find something similar to your fish boxes. In your photos, they seem to be made thicker than anything I have been able to find over here.
Julie (another Erythronium fanatic)
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Ian is away right now, Julie, so I'll answer on his behalf..... he'll be so pleased you are enjoying the logs.
The erythronium and other plants in similar plunges are growing in our "usual " mix and plunged in pure sand.
Potting mix is two parts gravel, two parts sand and one part leaf mould.(Previously we used two parts loam in stead of the sand but we ran out of loam!)
See the recipe here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2007/260607/log.html
THe great thing about the fish boxes in styrofoam is that they are that bit thicker, and more dense than many types. I think the key is to seek out boxes of a food quality... it seems that foodstuffs, be it salmon or melons, require a more sturdy dense composition of styrofoam than that used for, say, flowers.
Hope that helps! :)
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Hi Maggi,
Thank you for answering for Ian as I would like to start filling the beds. ;D
I wasn't sure if you used the same "potting mix" in the beds as in the pots. I'll use the potting mix in the pond baskets (arriving today) and pure sand in the raised beds. http://www.srgc.org.uk/wisley/2007/300807/log.html (http://www.srgc.org.uk/wisley/2007/300807/log.html)
Unfortunately, we don't have nice sandy loam soil. We have rocky clay which I've amended for many years with compost/leaf mould top dressing. This increases the amount of earth worms which then increases the amount of mole activity and then come the voles. >:( I'm rather tired of feeding them my favorite erythroniums and trilliums.
As for the fish boxes, I'll be checking with our local grocery stores first and if not successful, I'll head to the beach.
Thanks again,
Julie
I've just started reading this thread www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6015.0 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6015.0)
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Yes, Julie, you will find plenty ideas in that thread, I'm sure. There are so many plants which seem to enjoy life in this sort of situation.
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Julie:
You can get the heavy duty "fish boxes" from Omaha Beef. It's a mail order company.
I'd call them to see if they still ship in the heavy duty boxes.
http://www.omahabeefcompany.com/store/cart.php
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Thank you for the link Arnold. My son was standing behind me when I went to the link and wanted me to immediately place an order. Not to get the shipping boxes but for the filet mignon. ;D
I'll check around locally first but if I still can't find any, I'll give them a call.
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Oh! Followed Arnold's link..... I'm with your son, Julie!! Yummy!