Selection Methods and Key Points for Growing Media

Aquatic moss, tree fern fiber shavings, longan bark, sand and gravel, crushed brick, polystyrene, and so on are currently the most commonly used growing media. Aquatic moss is good for root growth, but it drains slowly and tends to rot; longan bark contains organic nutrients and often risks molding the whole pot; sand and gravel are hard and dry with little moisture retention, but they do not rot or grow mold; crushed brick is rich in moisture-retaining properties and seems to have no drawbacks; polystyrene is easy to obtain, makes planting lightweight, and keeps the pot clean, but it lacks moisture-holding capacity. These various materials each have their advantages, while inevitably having their shortcomings as well. It is hard to find any material that is absolutely perfect and completely flawless; it can be said that strengths and weaknesses appear together, and merits and faults accompany each other. So which material should we choose? There has never been a fixed standard, because each person's experience and cultivation methods differ, and opinions vary from person to person, each with its own merits! In choosing between materials, the author, in order to adopt a relatively mild cultivation method, mixes crushed brick, sand and gravel, and polystyrene at one-third each, washes them clean, and soaks them in clear water, changing the water two or three times over two to three weeks to remove impurities contained in the materials themselves. After planting, a layer of aquatic moss about 0.3 Taiwan inches thick is placed on the pot surface. Having used this method for several years, with smooth growth and rapid propagation, it seems to be a feasible approach. (Wu Anlu)