sirdoofus

I was thinking about methods to improve success with later season divisions for over wintering, and I am wondering about methods for reducing fungal rot risk in the corm.

I was considering the following - fungicidal retail options seem quite limited here in Canada:



I was thinking of applying this to the cut portion of the corm prior to potting up primarily for the fungicidal properties, but I suppose the root stimulant might be a bonus..

I have also heard cinnamon works well.

Anyone tried either, and if so, did you have any particular issues?

__________________
Who keeps calling me nuts??

Jeff zone 8 N.C.

I have never used that brand before so can not speak for it, but the ingredients sound right for rooting and protecting against rot on the cut and also other parts of the corm and being a gel it should stick and stay in place well.

cincinnana

I have never used that brand however the internet reviews seem to favor its use.

Cinnamon is a good natural anti fungal....I don't use that either but I know folks that use it when they divide plants.

Bonide root and grow powder is what I am using as my dipping sauce at the moment.

__________________

cincinnana

Just an after thought......this will make the soil/roots more productive for indoor growing. Organics will charge your soilless mix and give your plants a better base to grow in.

If you're planning to overwinter your newly potted plants indoors use an organic general use garden fertilizer.

I use Epsoma brands (readily available) with many of my grows however they all seem to have the basic ingredients. Then once the plant gets some size and maturity I transition to regular granular or water soluble ferts.

At the moment most big box stores like Waltheft have garden fertilizers on clearance.....this is when one should buy for the next season.

__________________

sirdoofus

Thank you. It sounds like you use the dry product (powder?) for this purpose? I see they recommend 2 cups/cubic ft of soil. What kind of rate have you found successful for late season use in a soilless mix?

__________________
Who keeps calling me nuts??

cincinnana

This was a 10 gal repot using about a cup maybe less (I use the handful measuring method) mixed in the soilless mix.
You may use more if you wish, alittle goes a long way in establishing a good connection with your roots and soilless mix.


Photo was in August 3 weeks after repot.

This is real predictable result when you salt your mix with organic fert.

You will not get hair roots like this with a chemical fertilizer.

Better roots means better plants for your winter grow.

Another way to get the most out your roots is the use of mychorizae (Myke) in your soilless mix but using it changes nutrient uptake/ fertilizer use.......this is a gardening rabbit hole if folks are interested. Promix has a soilless mix product that I have not used but a few of my cohorts swear by it.

https://sciweb.nybg.org/science2/hco...hizae.asp.html



Repotting bordelons
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr.


Tanee roots
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

__________________

sirdoofus

I'll definitely give it a shot. I have a good sized back of, I believe, Green Gaia organic fertilizer which I will mix in and see if it works as well.

__________________
Who keeps calling me nuts??

cincinnana

Are you going to do the overwinter plant thing indoors this year?

__________________

sirdoofus

Yes. I still have a few that will need to come inside. I am changing up my mix this year. I have been including a lot of coir in my mix but discovered by happenstance this year just how much and for how long that stuff holds moisture, and I think that might have been part of my struggle in successfully over wintering my plants. I haven't decided what exactly I am going to do yet, but it I will definitely make sure it won't stay as wet.

__________________
Who keeps calling me nuts??

Jeff zone 8 N.C.

I know what you mean by the coir being too wet. I have recently changed my mix due to PR Giants recommendations. If by "mix in" you mean mixing with regular salt based fertilizer that is not a good idea. I suspect you mean to mix it into your potting mix though. This response is not so much for you as it is for other people who do not know. Regular fertilizer is salt based. Organic is not. Organics promotes micro life in the soil but salt based fertilizers kills that micro life, so it is a good idea to hold off on salt based fertilizers for at least 2 weeks or more before applying organics. It's also a good idea to give the soil a good water flush before organics. Then do not add salt based as long as you are promoting organics.

sirdoofus

Excellent advice, thank you. Actually, and I realize now i wasn’t clear at all, but by mix I meant my soilless potting substrate. I too am leaning towards a much sandier mix per PR Giants advice. Hopefully I can reduce my fricken rot problem over winter

__________________
Who keeps calling me nuts??