Plant-growth medium contg peat granules - which retain their shape when swollen with water, useful for propagating cuttings

摘要

A growth medium for plants consists of granules made from peat and a suitable binder (I), which retain their granular form when swollen with moisture. (I) is pref. bitumen or some other binder with comparable properties. The peat - (I) mixt, is compressed at 500-1000 kg/cm2 so that the particles swell to up to 300% of their original vol. Suitably, the swollen granules have 3-10 mm dia. The medium is used for growing any type of plant but esp. suitable for propagating cuttings. The compsn. retains the desirable characteristics of peat but can accommodate a larger amt. of air in the pores between the granules (non-granular peat when used e.g. for mist propagation may become waterlogged and then contains insufficient air for normal root development). The compressed granules are conveniently and economically transported.