kiwi
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I have just received an email from a local orchid grower regarding salt build up in potting mixes. Could The chemists out there help with an answer please? The email was as follows:
Diatomite absorbs and accumulates salts. Do organic fertiliser, like Nitrosol, contain salts of the sort that build up and become harmful? I understand "chemical" fertilisers do contain salts, and these can build up or exist in mix like coir, and can build up in any mix, but if I use only organic fert will I avoid the buildup of "salts". I may not understand what "salts" are, this may be obvious by this question.
My problem is, I have diatomaceous granules that I am using to pot Paphs, I understand this material absorbs "salts" and these salts can't be flushed out like "normal" the little crustacean shells hold on to it like crazy, apparently.
So if i use organic fertiliser only, will I avoid this accumulation of "salts"? Could this be the same for perlite?
I am assuming my water, being rain water is "very low salt".
I knew I should have listened in chemistry class!
I have just received an email from a local orchid grower regarding salt build up in potting mixes. Could The chemists out there help with an answer please? The email was as follows:
Diatomite absorbs and accumulates salts. Do organic fertiliser, like Nitrosol, contain salts of the sort that build up and become harmful? I understand "chemical" fertilisers do contain salts, and these can build up or exist in mix like coir, and can build up in any mix, but if I use only organic fert will I avoid the buildup of "salts". I may not understand what "salts" are, this may be obvious by this question.
My problem is, I have diatomaceous granules that I am using to pot Paphs, I understand this material absorbs "salts" and these salts can't be flushed out like "normal" the little crustacean shells hold on to it like crazy, apparently.
So if i use organic fertiliser only, will I avoid this accumulation of "salts"? Could this be the same for perlite?
I am assuming my water, being rain water is "very low salt".
I knew I should have listened in chemistry class!