Substrate notes – Seramis

Some of the plants we plan to grow need special growing conditions beyond simply that of extra heat.  Many tropical plants need a moist but well aerated growing medium and this can be supplied by adding various lighweight aggregates to the soil or by using bark based growing media.  We are planning to trial a range of specialist growing media in the tropical biodiversity grrenhouse.  The first samples to arrive have been from Seramis.

Seramis granules (Small bag), Seramis orchid mix (Big bag), Seramis used in Orchid mix (clear bag at front)

In the past I have used Seramis granules to grow Mexican Pinguicula species which need a moist but very well aerated growing meduim.  Seramis doesn’t float and tends not to splash around when watered.  The plan in the tropical greenhouse is to trial use of these media to cultivate Pinguicula, Nepenthes, tropical Utricularia, a range of Bromeliads, epiphytic ferns, and other plants from highly leached or low nutrient soils.