Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Transplanting from Yogurt pots to Black pots!!

In my last post I planned to transplant all my baby Grass Trees to new pots!
This task has been completed...with varying success.
I also have learned some helpful information!
Firstly the seed raising pot mix I used was too sandy...many little plants
had not developed roots very well and in the transfer to the new pots,
the soil just fell away and it was quite a juggling exercise to hold
together the cut away bottom of the Yogurt pot
and replant to the larger pot!
Secondly the soil did not hold moisture well either!
I had prepared the new pots with Jamie Durie Native Plant Mix
($9.45 at Big W)
I used this fantastic mix to repot GT's 6 & 7 ...they are doing really well!
Thirdly I learned...Yogurt pots...not a good Idea!
When I next plant a batch of seeds I will plant straight
into the larger pots in the beginning and save the
trouble and risk to these contrary little seeds/plants!



I graded my efforts on a 1-10 scale and most only rated 5/5 for root disturbance!
However over the last two weeks none have died, in fact some of the ones
I thought would surely cark it ...Haven't! though early days yet!
I have about 4 plants which I expect to shrivel, but it's
really surprising that they are looking so good!

A few completely lost ALL the soil in my hamfisted effort and
I was left holding a slender stalk!! 1/10
So I planted it and there you go! Still living two weeks later!
This will be interesting to see how much grievious bodily harm I have inflicted on them!

**************
An update on Grass Tree No. 7

As you can see from the photo the seeds are looking great

...little buzzy bees have done a great job, nice plump developing seed pods!


**************

This is a rather unusual garden ornament...looks fantastic though!
(residing at the plant nursery )

The Golden Rooster!
************************


***************

The Tally

80 seedlings in new black pots - 12 pots with 2 seedlings in each pot.

(4 in doubt...a rugged transplant!)

8 adults (varying sizes)+ 1 seedling in the garden,
=
89 Grass Trees.

(Note: Between the last post and now approx 6 seedlings died due probably to soil conditions and lack of water and nutrients in the soil.)

Cheers Carol

3 comments:

birdymunch said...

I believe you will have an excellent survival rate, due to your unique care. Also I REALLY like your word 'hamfisted', just made me giggle.
Take care and keep up the good work.

Carol said...

Birdymunch...Thanks for stopping by! If you had seen the the poor little plants hanging naked from those aforementioned hamfists...you have had a belly laugh!!
Will keep you 'posted' on progress!
Cheers Carol

Joanne Lockyer said...

Love that chook, chick!
xx