Stores indefinitely if it's dry.

I have more than 200 trees and woody plants, a number of other perennials - including all my houseplants/succulents/cacti, all covering at least 100 different genera in the gritty mix. IOW - I use it for everything I plan on keeping for the long (longer than 1 growth cycle) term.

Al

Nguyenty, I have a 3 year old Mango tree in Al's mix. I just recently purchased another one and also planted that one in the same mix. My older tree fruited for the first time last summer. You will love this mix...and best of all my container plants love it and are doing very well. Good luck to you!

{{gwi:8780}}

1. A-1Grit No. 5, 1/4" should be EXACTLY the same as Gran-I-grit, correct? I want the formula as precise as possible. They have sizes larger and smaller if needed.

2.Is the gritty mix a complete potting soil or are we suppose to add other stuff into it as well ?

3. Do I remove all of the soil on the rootball when transplanting ?

{{gwi:8782}}

1/4" is too large to be ideal for the grit size. 1/8" to slightly smaller is ideal.

It's a complete potting medium. 3 ingredients + gypsum.

How much soil you can/should remove when repotting depends on several factors, but one goal should be to get the plant entirely into the gritty mix as soon as is reasonable - at the first, (or second if it serves the plant better) repotting.

Al

1. I'm also going to need CRF and micronutrient granules but I can add these in later right ? I only have to mix the gypsum right into the mix to make sure they are evenly distributed ? I don't want to make an error then having to repot. FYI I'm making 15 gallon mix per pot.

2. Is the mix ready to use right after I am finish mixing, I recall someone said to water it and wait a week before transplanting, I'm not sure.

I'm sorry if these questions have been asked before. I'm spending hours going through the old threads but there are soo many and I also want to make sure before I start.

If you're using FP 9-3-6 or Miracle-Gro, Peter's, Schultz ..... 24-8-16, you can forget about the micro-nutrient supplement. You need to read the label of what you're using and determine if your plant is getting all the nutrients it needs to grow normally. E.g., some Osmocote CRF's supply all the elements except Ca/Mg, and some only supply NPK.

It's best if you make sure the soil is damp when you make it & then wait 2 weeks, but that has never stopped me from planting in it whenever I wanted to. The 2 week wait allows the lime to complete the reactive phase and move to the point where the Ca fraction is residual and therefore more readily available for uptake.

Al

Excuse me please - I beg a pardon. For some reason, I thought you were talking about the 5:1:1 mix, because it's often mentioned that that mix is better left to rest for 2 weeks before using it, but the gritty mix can be used as soon as it's made with no problem. Gypsum is much more soluble than dolomite & would be immediately available. Also, pH drives the reactive phase and the starting pH of the gritty mix is quite a bit higher than that of the 5:1:1 mix.

Al

Now, I'm kind of worried about the mix draining too quickly. Just add more turface, correct ? How much ratio of turface to granite should I use if I want a adequate draining soil ? I would like for it to drain just a little better than say a commercial grade soil mix. I rather be more careful to not overwater than having to water every other day. Thanks.

Nice Mango tree!

Thanks tn veggie gardner...nice of you to notice :o)

puglvr1, I just finished making the gritty mix and transplanting the lychee tree into it. It drains so fast water just runs through it. I hope thats normal. I used more turface than granite. How often do you water your mango tree? I just hope my fruit trees will one day look as healthy and green like yours.

Al~
How do you store your mixes, while damp and waiting the 2 weeks (5-1-1)?
Air tight?
Here in AZ. it's going to be in the 80's this week, then droping to 70's. Mold and mildew would be a concern.

If covered losely, would it need re-moistend from time to time in the wait period?

Thanks,
JoJo

Hi Jojo...:-)

Hi Al..:-)

Hi Steve...;-)

Nancy, I LOVE that Mango tree!!! I love it!

Here is my grapefruit tree in the gritty mix..:-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Here is my grapefruit tree

Thanks nguyenty ...I'm sure yours will do great. It really depends on the temperature,size of your tree/pot, how much sun it gets and how fast it dries out. I would do what Mike does and use a thin wood dowel or chopstick and stick it in several inches down near the root ball to check for moistness. Again, I would check it every few days...then soon you will start to get a feel of how often you need to water it. Since you added extra turface it will probably hold a little more water.

Hi Mike and Jojo!. Mike, thanks...that mango tree is probably my most favorite container plant, but if you come to FL to visit...I will give it to you. Do you think you can hand carry that on a plane,lol...?

Mike, I love your grapefruit tree...it is just beautiful!! I don't even like grapefruit, but your tree is awesome!
I have 3 neighbors that tries to give me grapefruit every year and I always say NO thanks...but I'll take some oranges,lol...

JJ - I made several hundred pounds of the gritty mix today (I've been a repotting fool yesterday and today, having done about 30-35 repots ..... and I'll do it again tomo and Sat.), and I'll just store it in an open tub until I need it. When I make the 5:1:1 mix in big batches, I usually have a few 50 lb dog food bags I fill up, + I'll fill the bags the bark came in, too. It's only damp, not soggy, and I've stored extra bags of it from spring to spring with no problems at all.

Al