Re: Oak Leaves

[Allen Johnson <allen_h_johnson at yahoo_com>]

I tried a product called Oak Leaf mold last year.  It
seemed to settle fast than peat moss and so tended to
stay in the breeding container better than peat.  The
breeders accepted it somewhat reluctantly and I did
get eggs.  The material was essentially Oak leaves
that were shredded to small size with small needles of
stiff fibers mixed with 3-4 mm oak leaf material. 
When I tested the material in water, it did reduce pH
somewhat and it also reduced TDS somewhat.  So it has
some ion exchange properties.  

When dried, it drains faster than peat, but it does
not compress like peat.  It does not retain water like
peat, so draining for a few minutes instead of
overnight like peat seems to work.  I did get eggs to
hatch successfully without belly sliders, but my
hatches were smaller.  I have since given up using
this material and have gone back to peat for my SA annuals.

=====
Allen H. Johnson
132 Whispering Oaks Dr.
West Chester, Pa.  19382

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