skip to main content

Container Gardening

Screening Gritty Mix

11 years ago

Hi all, this is my first time prepping gritty mix and I want to make sure I am doing it correctly.

Here is the smallest fir bark I found:
{{gwi:2420}} {{gwi:2421}}

Here is a picture of the screened bark:

Screened with 1/4" screen ("the larger particles"):
{{gwi:2422}}

All that fell through with super fine particles not yet sifted out ("the smaller particles"):
{{gwi:2423}}

It seems there are many small particles in my "larger particles" picture which would be suitable for the mix, but they just are not falling through the 1/4" screen because they aren't uniformly that size and thus remain on top. I feel like I'm sending a lot of good material to waste. Should I use a larger screen for the extremely large pieces, sift out the fine particles and just keep the rest?

For reference, I have 10 cups of the "larger particles" and 4 cups of the "smaller particles". So more than 2/3 of each bag will be going to waste if I continue this way. Please let me know your thoughts on the size of the small bits within the "larger particles". Meanwhile, I'll go run that batch through a larger sifter and repost some pictures to this thread.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Vance Evans
11 years ago
Here's something that might help you. I think the fines that are less than 1/8' should be sifted out as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gritty Mix
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
That's the bark that I use, as well.
It is wonderful stuff. It certainly goes further when making 5-1-1.

How are you screening it?

Josh
Related Discussions
Gritty mix ok?
Q
Comments (9)
Well, that's not the gritty mix, but it may work for maples. Lots of sapwood, and your bark wasn't screened properly. Did you read the recipe? Bark should be screened 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3/8 inch is the maximum for Pine bark particularly, due to the flat shape sometimes seen). Maples are best re-potted before they have leafed out. When maples are potted into Gritty Mix, they need to be bare-rooted so that you don't have two dissimilar mixes in the same container - which can lead to uneven watering, drainage, and drying. That said, if you bare-root a tree that is in leaf, it is much more likely to lose leaves and suffer. The recovery tends to be slower, as well. Josh
...See More
Failure to thrive issues using Gritty Mix
Q
Comments (35)
I grow mainly indoors, and I grow mainly bulbs... I also grow mainly in a rendition of the Gritty Mix. I have found that before I mix a batch, I need to soak the bark a bit so it's moist. If I do this, and I make sure I'm in keeping with the concept of the medium with regard to particle size, screening, etc... I have no issues following a re-pot. Also, aftercare is very important... ensuring that the plant has a good opportunity to adjust to it's new medium out of direct sunlight and winds. But if I fail to pre-wet the bark, or keep in mind the concept of the medium and aftercare, I'm doomed to failure. I found that there's no cheating when it comes to good preparation of the ingredients, using the right ingredients, proper aftercare, and that my habits in watering and fertilizing would change. I'd be watering more often, and feeding on a more consistent basis. One other thing I found is that not every plant will enjoy the Gritty Mix. There are a few that are happier in more moisture retentive circumstances... so I adjust for this using medium that more closely resembles the 511, or by adjusting the ingredient ratios or using different ingredients, creating a custom medium for the plant in question. Ambient temperature is a consideration in certain climates, too. Growing indoors, I keep pot edges from touching the window glass, and keep leaves off the glass, too. My preference is unglazed clay, though I do use a few plastic pots for certain plants more sensitive to temperature or moisture retention. One of the biggest mistakes I made in the beginning was not watering enough, and not ensuring the bark was pre-soaked prior to mixing batches of medium. But if I'm honestly doing everything exactly as directed, I have no issues, whatsoever. I think the keys are in understanding the concept, not taking any short cuts, adjusting my care habits, and understanding the limitations of my unique environment and those of the particular plant I'm trying to grow.
...See More
Autumn moon maple
Q
Comments (3)
Yes exactly. I didn't want to bare root in Mid summer. I plan on bare rooting in spring right before buds leaf out. I didn't want to keep it in its original pcntainer because I didn't want it to dry up on a hot day. So I took it out of its pot and put it in gritty mix with root ball intact.
...See More
Cheapest method to screen bulk gritty mix ingredients?
Q
Comments (2)
Yes window screen works, aluminum version lasts better, also its very slow (small) but you may find a kitchen colander that works!
...See More
oberci
Original Author
11 years ago
Vance- thank you for the link. I actually already read it over, but I am trying to find an alternative to the expense of ReptiBark. I was so frustrated that I actually gave in and went and bought a bag of ReptiBark to compare to the GreenAll. Except for the fine particles in GreenAll, the particles are really similar in size, so I think it may just be okay.

greenman-do you use it for the gritty mix as well? why do you say it goes further in the 511? And I was screening it for large particles using a 1/4" wire mesh and hardly any particles were falling through. I went up to 1/2" and much more went through with only very large particles staying behind. For fine particles I ordered a bonsai sieve since I know I'll get good use out of it :)
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
I do use it for Gritty Mix, indeed.
I use a 1/4 inch gridded plastic nursery flat, over a pond-basket, which has 1/16 and 1/8 slots
all around the outer surfaces. This eliminates the fine dust from bark, perlite, turface, et cetera.

Most of the bag can be used in the 5-1-1, so it makes much more mix. With the half-inch mesh,
only a small fraction of overly large particles are left behind.

When you screen the bark, do you use a hand to vigorously roll the material over the screen?

Josh
oberci
Original Author
11 years ago
I was using my hands to help pieces through. But some pieces weren't falling through unless I turned them specifically to the orientation that was the proper size. Im thinking a 3/8" screen might be my best solution since more small particles will make it through and more large particles will remain behind.

Should I be going through all this trouble when the repti bark has pieces the same size and yet so many seem to use it "right out of the bag"? I'm almost thinking that screening out the tiny particles will be enough. And a few larger particles left behind wont do much harm.

Greenman, how much waste do you get from a bag on the Greenall?
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
The advice to use Repti-bark straight from the bag has been tempered in light of the
overly large particles in the bag. For Gritty Mix, it will certainly require screening.

I've never measured the waste in a bag of Greenall. I use the large bark as mulch in the yard,
or I use it for Orchid, Hoya, or Jungle Cacti mix where a more coarse texture is desired.

Josh

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Vegetables and Flowers Mix in Beautiful Edible Gardens

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Ornamentals, meet your edible garden mates. We know you'll get along just beautifully

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Spring Mix

Matching hues, varying pattern sizes and adding solids are the keys to mixing florals with other florals

KITCHEN DESIGN New This Week: 2 Kitchens That Show How to Mix Materials

By Mitchell Parker

See how these kitchens combine textures, colors and materials into a harmonious whole

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Gray and Yellow Mix It Up in a London Apartment

A neutral palette gets a jolt of energy from sunny accessories and witty artwork in this new unit in an industrial area

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get More From Your Garden by Mixing Things Up

Consider an eclectic outdoor style with defined hardscapes softened by exuberant, informal plantings

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Mix It Up With Modern Florals

Bring a soft and fresh feeling to any room with floral motifs

DECORATING GUIDES Beautiful Living Rooms Mix Comfort and Style

By Judith Taylor Designs

Get comfy without the frumpy with these ideas for making 7 living room styles feel welcoming and relaxing

TASTEMAKERS A New Decorating Book Celebrates Expert Style Mixing

By Becky Harris

Old-world classic, traditional and modern elements harmonize in Stephen Sills' gift-worthy new decorating book

COLOR PALETTES Master the Metallic Mix of Gold and Silver

By Shawn Gauthier

More than just hardware is gleamworthy in a home. Marrying metallics with walls, ceilings, furniture and accessories makes your rooms glow

REMODELING GUIDES Exterior Materials Mix It Up

Rarely does a single material cover a whole home. Check out these architectural designs that meld exterior finishes beautifully

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading Kitchen & Bath Remodelers in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

was just gifted a starter gardenia bonsai

1

Combine 5-1-1 And Gritty Mix?

3

Gashed caused on ponytail palm. Is it a goner?

9

Needed plant for sun/shade deck

6

Weighing down the plant as rootball won't hold

1