Container substrate characteristics influence irrigation and fertilization frequency. Different substrate components hold water and nutrients to varying degrees. An ideal potting substrate holds a large amount of water and at the same time retains air pockets (porosity)in the plant root zone to encourage oxygen. Substrates with lower nutrient holding capacity will require fertilizer more frequently. Media with lower water holding capacity will likely require extra fertilizer and irrigation.
Typical container production media contain a mixture of sand, pine bark, and often small amounts of peat moss. Sometimes vermiculite and slow release fertilizer like polyon or osmocote may be incorporated into the media as well. The major component, pine bark, does not extensively hold nutrients.
Researchers from North Carolina State University and Oregon State University are addressing the need for alternatives to pine bark substrates by examining various alternative substrates.
THE NCSU Team
Elizabeth Bridges-Graduate Research Assistant
Dr. Bill Fonteno
Dr. Helen Kraus
Dr. Ted Bilderback
Dr. Brian Jackson