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  Re: [Aroid-l] Alocasia 'Black Magic'
From: Ferenc Lengyel <feri.lengyel at gmail.com> on 2010.04.30 at 06:13:00(20991)
Well, yes, in a florarium you do not need the plastic bag :) But let it
get enough air movement. And I would use pure coconut peat. I found coconut
peat (or chips? I guess they are the same) to have better water retaining
capability then regular peat. I mean that peat can be very sloggy, but it
can dry out quite quickly and thorroughly. And once it has dried out, it is
not so easy to moisten it again. In a florarium drying is not an issue, but
it is harder for seeds and tubers to breath in peat then in coconut chips (I
think). In contrast, coconut chips do not get so sluggy if overwatered, they
do dry out much slower than peat and it is much easier to moisten them when
dried out. At least, it is my experience.
When your small tubers develop roots and begin to grow, put them into a
loose soil mixture of course.
I always have fungus gnats, but I have no problem with them until the roots
or tubers begin to rot. I am sure that they eat the fungus and rotting
roots/tubers. I think that your problem was caused by fungi and rotting and
not by the flies, but once the tubers begin to rot, the fly larvae make it
worse. Again: *just my opinion*.
I wonder, what others think.
Good luck for the small tubers!!!
Ferenc

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