Shoreguy thank you for your advice.
Quote:
As far as plant food, the type is of paradoxically relatively pretty small importance compared to the mix. I use Jack's All Purpose 20 20 20 year round, always use more diluted than recommended and infrequently, especially in winter.
|
I have observed problems not using a balanced fertilizer and great results with so you might be overlooking that important part as being negligeable - that has been highly beneficial for me to hear.
I do tend to agree with camille that neo's can be grown in many ways. I ignored all the advice on neo's, just threw the handbook out the window. Then I burnt the handbook, gathered the ashes and sprinkled them on my neos. I won't say my way is the only way but I haven't lost one yet so that's a small victory so far lol
edit: although I also agree that moss is something I would not risk with neo's either!
Shoreguy is right that it matter more what works long term, 2-3 years +.
If you can repot a neo only once using tree fern but have to repot the neo 6 times in moss, the neo will not like the disruption.
ps: the title says roots turned black. They didn't, one surface root has turned brown from salt accumulation.
Another thing that will happen in moss that stays very hydrated. Salts build up in the area's exposed to drying so in this case a root. It happens to me a fair bit, it is not an indication that one is fertilizing too much, it is an indication that the roots were being kept too wet and thus got exposed to long term drying which causes salts to accumulate in those areas of the velamen and cause brown discoloration. Like said it is important to take away that it is a watering issue that causes it. All water contains salts so its a sign too much water has been able to evaporate in that spot and that shows the root was kept too wet that this could build up over time. It's not harmful or anything to worry about and not really relevant in growing terms, more a reason why the brown spot occurred.