Inert “Oasis” Planting Pots
From: Phyllis Davis, Co-Inventor, Portable Farms(TM) Aquaponics Systems and President, Portable Farms, Inc.
Oh Joy. My new ‘inert’ planting oasis pots arrived today in the mail for seed planting in our Portable Farms(TM) Aquaponics Systems. Because these oasis pots are considered pH neutral and extremely porous, they’re designed to drain off excess water from the base of the germinating seed or cutting which gives the seed or cutting plenty of oxygen and water.
In the photograph (above) the peat pot on the left is the one we’ve always used and they’re adequate for our purposes, expensive, but adequate. However, the new oasis planting pot (on the right) is easier to work with, doesn’t require pre-soaking to swell to size prior to planting, doesn’t break open and leak peat into the gravel, and it is far less expensive. This product is used for (and I quote) “vegetative propagation of vegetables.” The new oasis is not labeled ‘organic’ because that classification is hard to qualify for, however, the people I ordered the oasis planting pots from have assured me repeatedly that there has been extensive testing done on the product with the University of Arizona and that they sell to people for aquaponics and hydroponic systems with glowing results.
This new oasis planting pot is also good for use when transplanting cuttings from a living plant, so they’ll ‘take root’ prior to transferring them to the gravel grow-tray bed in my Portable Farms(TM) Aquaponics Systems. I’ll take the strawberry tendril I cut this weekend and move it into one of my new oasis planting pot so it can take root.
After planting, I place the planting pots on a large piece of Styrofoam, indoors for a few days, so the seeds don’t get too cold and delay their sprouting. Or, you can use a thermostatically controlled heating pad under your seed plantings and maintain temperatures between 75 degrees F and 80 degrees F to promote faster seed propagation. Heating mats are especially effective in colder climates. There IS a slight trick to remember when using a heating mat, so be forewarned that the heat causes the water in the growing pots to evaporate more quickly and one needs to keep a vigilant eye on the plantings to assure they have enough water and don’t dehydrate and kill the seeds or the young plants. If you’d like to see a photo of a heating mat, here’s a link: CLICK HERE.
So, I’m off to plant. Tra la Tra la
Your friend,
Phyllis Davis