Since I did not have access to the original gravel mixture from Namib Desert at
the start and also not sure it's optimal, I have chosen to try different media, based
on the airy structure traditionally used for this plant.
In nature, the capillarity structure less important, as much fluid intake comes from
morning dew, and the plant does not absorb much if any liquid from the ground.
Even when it rains, there will not be in a volume that can saturate the soil
thoroughly.
Although I shall attempt in fog chamber, I waters. Both because it seems to be
important for small plants in the wild, it should promote growth, and it is a way to
add nutrition. That means the available quantity of water is essential, but the
medium water-holding pores hardly need to be top of the normal 20-30% of pore
volume, since it can suffocate the roots of a desert plant.
As to be taken into account nutrient will be the addition of 2% clay in all media,
whose negative-charged colloids bind the positively charged nutrient ions. This is
these drugs available to the plant and leaching avoided.
Since culture is running for a long time, and a translocation is unnecessary
because of the plant's slow growth, it is important to the growth medium is the
structure stable.
Pore Volume.
When I at the start had no information about the natural habitats pore volume, I
have chosen medias, which I suspect is within the framework of the realistic.
Subsequent analysis of the Namibian soil has shown that (not surprisingly) there
are significantly fewer large pores in the wild. As the small plants I am dealing with
the culture seemed to prefer more humid conditions than those exposed to the
wild, it means they usefully can be grown in a more 'loose' media than they
originally found in. In order to avoid rot and provide good ventilation from the roots,
the medium might be well ventilated. Experiments conducted in Namib desert
(Annex 7) showed pores volume fluctuated between 0% -11% large, 17% - 33%
medium, but we must
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