SUPPLIES
Tropiflora Bromeliad Mix
TBM
This is a commercial mix that we at Tropiflora have custom made 50 yards at a time. We use this formula because #1 it works for us and #2 it is economical.
Anyone can mix their own potting media and we encourage you to do so in order to best suit your needs. However, if you wish to use our proven mix, we are more than happy to oblige!
Here is the formulation:
- 30% Canadian Peat
- 30% Green Bark
- 30% Hardwood Chips
- 10% Perlite (though this can vary with availability of materials).
It also includes 3 pounds of minor elements per yard and has a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5. This mix allows good air access to the root zone, good moisture retention without getting soggy, long pot life, and good substance for holding plants upright.
Note: A one quarter cubic foot bag of soil should fill about half a dozen 6 inch Azalea Pots.
Super quick draining mix that holds humidity well while maintaining root ventilation. Reccomend for any bromeliad growers.
I'm very new to bromeliads, and just re-potted a few I purchased at Tropiflora. They all seem very happy in their new digs.
Tropiflora Succulent Mix
TSM
Tropiflora Succulent Mix – While we call this our ‘succulent mix’ we use this for many more things around the nursery. Succulents thrive in it under our rather wet, humid conditions and so do many plants such as terrestrial bromeliads, tuberous Arums, and others. It is a good quality mix that we have custom made for us in 50 yard loads.
The formula is:
- 20% Canadian Peat
- 45% small Fir Bark
- 35% coarse Perlite (Sponge Rock)
It has a pH of 6.0.
Air Plant Fertilizer
APF
Tropiflora's Air Plant Food Soluble 20-10-20
This is a good quality, versatile formula for epiphytic plants. This fertilizer does not use urea as a nitrogen source, as it is not usable by epiphytic plants. Water soluble, it can be used in daily irrigation or applied at intervals. Will not burn foliage at recommended rates and does not stain foliage. This is the fertilizer we use here at Tropiflora for our bromeliads, orchids and all epiphytic plants.
Guaranteed Analysis: Total Nitrogen (N) 20% 7.90% ammoniacal nitrogen 12.10% nitrate nitrogen Available phosphate (P2O5) 10% Soluble potash (K2O) 20% Magnesium (Mg) 0.10%Boron (B) 0.02%Copper (Cu) 0.025% Iron (Fe) 0.05%Manganese (Mn) 0.025% Molybdenum (Mo) 0.0029% Zinc (Zn) 0.025%
Application Rates: Constant Feed: A rate of 50 to 150 ppm of nitrogen is recommended. For bi-weekly applications: Use at the rate of 1½ to 2 tsp per gallon of water. Monthly: 1 to 1½ to tbs/gal.
Octagon Vanda Basket
OVB
Useful for many epiphytic plants and essential for Vanda culture. These sturdy, well made baskets are manufactured in Central America from Cedrela odorata, or Tropical Cedar, which has a cedar fragrance and looks like mahogany.
The source of this wood for baskets is mostly as a byproduct of furniture manufacturing, it is long lasting, non toxic to plants and resists rot. The galvanized wires that hold the slats together are of a heavy gauge to last for years.
Osmocote 18-5-12 Controlled Release Fertilizer
OSM