Clay "marbles" for water retention.

[Anton]

Anybody use clay balls in humidity trays ?

I am trying to work out whether it worth buying these to place in water trays to help in retaining humidity around humidity trays.

There is anecedoctal information that they DO work, but I would rather hear from people who have used them, as to the viability of using them.

I can only find them in 20 Kg bags, so I don't want to invest in that quantity if they don't do the job. There is probably a "correct" name for them, but "marbles" is the best way I could describe them.

My thought (again open to suggestion) is to place humidity trays in my new GH just under the plant stands with these water absorbing balls in the trays to help keep humidity up. Maybe this is a no brainer, but had to ask.

[dennis]

is this what you mean PrimeAgra i user it in growing in semi hydroponics it works great some use it just as a media alone minus the media

[Anton]

I think that sounds like it.

These are brown colored balls around 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter, and yes, they are used in hydroponics, that's where I saw them, in the local hydroponics shop.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I think the idea for humidity trays in a GH is not very good. Even in winter your will have to vent the GH very well, think ventilator fans on a thermostat or a evaporative cooler on same, as heat builds up fast when the sun shines. This venting will over whelm any humidity trays. Now you are getting into the technical requirements of a GH, and it usually means money spent: over head very fine misters, or under bench misters that soak the ground, or a good fooger, all regulated by a humidistat. Or you can go out and hose down the place several times a day.

[Anton]

I already have misters in there from when it was used as a frog habitat by my son.

OK, seems like there will be enough moisture in there for my needs, thanks Cynthia, you have saved me some money for a white elephant.

It was just a thought, as you said, now I go that next step, into ............ thermodynamics............. do you like that ?

Heaters, coolers, humidifiers, anti humidifiers, thermometers, hygrometers.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO PUTTING A PLANT INTO A POT AND JUST WATCHING IT GROW

[janet_a]

Originally Posted by Anton

Heaters, coolers, humidifiers, anti humidifiers, thermometers, hygrometers.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO PUTTING A PLANT INTO A POT AND JUST WATCHING IT GROW

hee hee hee! that's too freakin' simple. if that's all there was to it we'd all be overrun by purple passion plants (gynura).

[Fabolusus]

I tried using prime agra in a few of my humidity trays. They float, which was a major problem for me as I place my pots directly into the humidity trays.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I just bought some lava rock for my little terrarium experiment. Will put the lava/pumice in the bottom and put the plants directly on it.

[jerrymeola]

Anton

I just put my orchids in pots and watch them grow.

I have 2000 new ones to pot next week.

I make my living doing this and have less equipment than many of you.

[Anton]

Simple is best Jerry, I agree wholeheartedly. Yesssss!

[Maddy]

Originally Posted by janet_a

hee hee hee! that's too freakin' simple. if that's all there was to it we'd all be overrun by purple passion plants (gynura).

Those or asparagus ferns - or jasmine.