[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Opinions on substrate and fertilizer choice




I'd like to thank Mr. Purchase for the wealth of
information he shared.

Now, regarding the reference to chelation of
copper...I am not sure what is meant by "organic
copper".  Copper bound to enzymes?  Well, if this
helps the plants, to add extra chelation, then perhaps
I can start marketing dilute EDTA.  Shouldn't be that
expensive.

>>Well, if its voodoo, there are thousands of
hobbyists all over the world who are enjoying great
success with it. They still make the stuff and it
still sells well and those that use it tend to swear
by it (as opposed to swearing _at_ it).<<

"A bit akin to voodoo" is not the same thing as actual
voodoo, but rather a reference to a person's feelings,
and not an actual statement of fact.  (ahem).

But, lest we forget, just because everyone is doing
it, doesn't mean you should do it (my mom told me
that).  And causality is a tricky thing, when
controlled experiments are not performed.

But probably the biggest barrier to Dupla products is
expense.  The LFS here sells their larger bottle
(250ml?) of DP24 for I think 45$.  I really doubt that
dupla has captured much of the market in the United
States (outside a few hardcore fanatics :), like
namely people who post on this list).  While that 45$
bottle may last a long time, it is not a base
fertilizer, and the whole dupla system will be an
additional X amount of dollars.

>>Mmmmm.......that sounds like you intentionally keep
your plants on a starvation level diet - you don't
give them a nutrient until/unless they demonstrate,
through stunted or deformed growth, that they need
something. I guess that's one approach, and one which
many people follow.... but there _are_ other
approaches, equally valid.<<

Based on experiments in rats, if you were to decrease
your calorie intake by 10%, you would probably live a
few extra years.  Maybe near-starvation is good for
plants!  "stunted or deformed growth" almost sounds
like hideous mutants!  Actually, I use indicator
plants that show signs of deficiency fairly early
(stargrass, ludwigia).  Yes I will admit that other
approaches are equally valid.  And perhaps more so. 
But if one *never* tried dosing to deficiency, then
how would one know what the requirements were for that
group of plants in one's own water?  You wouldn't. 
Dosing to deficiency can be important in setting up a
rational system of fertilization.

Arthur
http://www.geocities.com/anwestover

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger
http://phonecard.yahoo.com/