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Terracotta/root interactions

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Dave, May 13, 2011.

  1. May 13, 2011 #1
    Dave

    Dave Active Member Supporting Member

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    I have noticed that root tips of some plants die when they contact terracotta and others plants are fine even when there is no obvious difference between pots, eg there are no visible salt deposits. I have noticed that within a species, certain plants seem to show root tip death and others do not, though the pots appear to be identical. I suppose it is possible that there are differences in salt deposits that are not visible to me, but I wonder whether a lot of this is variation between plants. Anyone observed similar phenomena?
     
  2. May 13, 2011 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Interesting observation, Dave. I have noted similar differences for roots entering LECA in S/H pots.

    I wonder though, if it's not some other aspect of the conditions - temperature, moisture content, etc. - that creates the differences, rather than the composition of the clay itself.
     
  3. May 14, 2011 #3
    xmpraedicta

    xmpraedicta Prairie angraecoid nut Supporting Member

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    Not even terracotta but cork as well and basically any substrate - I have certain plants that will cling with roots burrowing into the smallest crack, and neighbors that are hanging right beside on the same substrate absolutely refusing to touch the mount with their roots. I wish I knew the secret to convincing roots to stick to their mounts!
     
  4. May 18, 2011 #4
    Aceetobe

    Aceetobe Member

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    My Encyclia hanburyii hated the piece of manzanita I tried to mount it to. The roots would touch it and then go the other direction. After 2.5 years of it not attaching, I moved it to cork, and its been happy ever since.