My first step to this seasons container mix... Help?!?

15 years ago

I recently searched locally for some ingredients for this years container mix. (ok, I'll say it - my FIRST serious year)

I found some bark fines, only to find out they where not very fine.

I also found some perlite, only to find out it was horticulture grade and not sorted / sifted - really powdery.

So. I when to the hardware store and bought a 24x30 piece of 1/4 hardware screen, and a 24x30 piece of metal screen door material.

I built two frames and attached the screens, then went to work. I ran the bark through the 1/4 inch, and the perlite through the fine screen.

please check out the pictures here: http://www.lot-o-nothin.com/greenhouse/container-potting-mix.html and let me know if the bark looks usable.

I did find sphagnum and have found no problem with it

Here is a link that might be useful: Container mix bark & perlite

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Comments (8)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
15 years ago
"I found some bark fines, only to find out they where not very fine."

Very commonly mentioned. Several times, I have helped folks in both WA and OR find partially composted bark fines (usually fir) that were very well suited to making container soils, so I can tell you that if you keep looking, you'll likely find an excellent product. Just make sure the trees yielding the bark were not ponded in salt water.

"I built two frames and attached the screens, then went to work. I ran the bark through the 1/4 inch, and the perlite through the fine screen."

Normally, I wouldn't have screened the perlite, but what you had really did have too many fines, so I think you did the right thing.

The finer bark looks just fine - it should work very well. Stay on top of your fertilizing to prevent N immobilization when using the fresh bark. Toss the larger pieces in a tub with some urea & keep moist - use next year after a rinse. Keep looking for a partially composted, finer bark.

Al
imstillatwork
Original Author
15 years ago
thank you for the confirmation - I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, but trying my best to learn as I go. Should I worry about ph levels with fresh bark? Would 1 cup dolomitic lime per gallon of bark be too much?

priceless help. you should set up a amazon.com wishlist so people can buy you things as thank-yous :)
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
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A wise man said: "We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself." ~Lloyd Alexander

Plants are surprisingly tolerant of a wide range of pH levels when it comes to container media, so for now, I would lime appropriately and concentrate on learning what other cultural conditions are amendable toward the more favorable.

Usually, I add dolomitic lime to the 5:1:1 soil at the rate of 1 tbsp per gallon or 1/2 cup per cu ft. 1 cup per gallon is much (16x) too much.

Thank you for thinking of a way to say thank you, but it's really unnecessary. I get my kicks from reading that some offering I might have made here has been helpful or has enhanced a growing experience somewhere. ;o)

Al
imstillatwork
Original Author
15 years ago
hehe, yes I did mean cu ft. Growing experience enhanced? check.
geeboss
15 years ago
If in Oregon you have HomeDepot check to see if the carry Clay Soil Conditioner bags in the Garden Ctr. The HD in VA has it and its made up of Pine bark fines.

George
imstillatwork
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you, there is a HD in California about 30 miles away. I usually do not go because it's an extra $5+ in gas, plus as soon as I cross into CA, there is sales tax!!! I happened to be down there a few weeks ago and all I noticed was decorative mulches. I'll DEFINITELY stop by in the next few weeks and see if they carry the clay soil conditioner (that would be great!)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
15 years ago
If in Oregon you have HomeDepot... LOL!! Is this an assumption that Oregon is somehow out in the wilds without the usual retail amenities?? FWIW, Home Depot has nearly 2000 stores covering all 50 states and most of Canada, as well as outlets in Mexico and China.

imstillatwork, I am assuming you are located in the Brookings area? This has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but you might want to research your hardiness zone further. While southern coastal Oregon offers a very benign climate, it is typically listed as a zone 9, not 10. Not a significant difference but one that may have an impact on container culture.

If finding bark fines locally continues to be a problem, I might direct you to an excellent prepared container soil (actually several formulations) marketed under the Gardner and Bloome label. This brand is carried by Del-Cur Supply in your area. I have used this product myself for years for all my container plantings, both personally and for my clients, and I have had nothing but great results from it. IMO, it is one of the best commercially prepared container mixes available on the west coast.
imstillatwork
Original Author
15 years ago
gg48:

yeah, I'm near Brookings - but at about 700 - 800ft elevation and inland several miles - so from talking with others and reading a bit I thought it was closer to 10. But I really don't know. Your probably right. I am new at this :)

I'll check out the soil next time I'm near Del-Cur Supply also, thanks.

My first step to this seasons container mix... Help?!?

Comments (8)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

imstillatwork
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My first step to this seasons container mix... Help?!?

Comments (8)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

imstillatworkOriginal Author

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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

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