Q. Can you please tell me
if it is possible or not to use volcanic rock dust on a Venus fly trap to
promote its growth?
if it is possible or not to use volcanic rock dust on a Venus fly trap to
promote its growth?
A. Rock dust is a
marketing term which means a very finely ground powder from different sources
that contains dozens of minerals in small quantities. It is thought that soils
which are used for a very long time become depleted of some minerals that
cannot be replaced with fertilizers. Recently, this term has become a hot topic
among gardeners in the social media like YouTube and some gardening internet
blogs.
marketing term which means a very finely ground powder from different sources
that contains dozens of minerals in small quantities. It is thought that soils
which are used for a very long time become depleted of some minerals that
cannot be replaced with fertilizers. Recently, this term has become a hot topic
among gardeners in the social media like YouTube and some gardening internet
blogs.
I became interested in it because I was getting questions
regarding its use. I experimented with three different kinds of rock dust and
compared them for one growing season in some raised vegetable beds. All of the
raised beds were composted, as they would be, normally, at the start of a
growing season.
regarding its use. I experimented with three different kinds of rock dust and
compared them for one growing season in some raised vegetable beds. All of the
raised beds were composted, as they would be, normally, at the start of a
growing season.
Perhaps it promotes growth in soils that do not have
enough nutrients but I did not test that. I have not seen any advantages to
vegetable growth when it is applied to raised beds and the soil has been
composted and amended correctly.
enough nutrients but I did not test that. I have not seen any advantages to
vegetable growth when it is applied to raised beds and the soil has been
composted and amended correctly.
It does not hurt anything to apply it in small quantities
and it can be inexpensive insurance if you want to be sure. You don’t need
much.
and it can be inexpensive insurance if you want to be sure. You don’t need
much.
Venus flytrap in nature grows on very poor soils. It gets
its nutrients primarily from the soil when it can get it. Alternatively, they
also take nutrients from small insects that walk or fly into their trap. They
evolved this way because of the poor soils. But catching insects and devouring
them is an alternative to getting nutrients from the soil or leaves.
its nutrients primarily from the soil when it can get it. Alternatively, they
also take nutrients from small insects that walk or fly into their trap. They
evolved this way because of the poor soils. But catching insects and devouring
them is an alternative to getting nutrients from the soil or leaves.
Regardless, the soil must drain well when growing these
plants. Lava rock, perlite or pumice will help in that regard. They like high
humidity so growing them in an enclosed terrarium will help. Adding rock dust
to the soil will not hurt it. But help it? Perhaps if the soil is lacking in
any of the plant nutrients found in the rock dust.
plants. Lava rock, perlite or pumice will help in that regard. They like high
humidity so growing them in an enclosed terrarium will help. Adding rock dust
to the soil will not hurt it. But help it? Perhaps if the soil is lacking in
any of the plant nutrients found in the rock dust.
Personally, I would use liquid fertilizer sprayed on the
foliage much like you would orchids. This plant would like very much compost
tea applied this way. They do not like rich, wet soils.
foliage much like you would orchids. This plant would like very much compost
tea applied this way. They do not like rich, wet soils.