Can I answer? I'm sure Al will jump in when he sees this post, but I've had quite a bit of experience with this product.

It's been marketed as 'Stalite' in the construction trade for many years. We started using it as a soil amendment in post construction sites to preserve and enhance tree roots AGES ago. It has been used as a constituent of what is called 'constructed soils' for urban tree plantings, with great results. It is hugely successful for in-situ plantings, where clayey or compacted soil situations diminish healthful porosity. Its most beneficial application, perhaps, is in areas that may see high traffic (foot or otherwise). Stalite-PermaTill makes it possible to have healthy grass on a baseball field, and healthy trees along an urban streetscape.

It's ALL about oxygen!

As far as containers go, this product would be useful but almost redundant unless you expect your plants to be in the same potting medium for a VERY long time without proper repotting upon occasion.

As much a proponent as I am of this product for soooo many horticultural uses, I have never had the desire or need to use it in my potting mixes. Turface is what I use for that purpose. Let's see what Al has to say. ;-)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:26070}}

It looks like Turface to me. Not having used it, I would let the particle size be my guide. Dorie knows much more about the product than I (as you can easily see), and I trust her judgment completely. ;o)

I'll go find the link & read up on it. Must be on the thread that Schusch started?

Al

No, the thread I was referncing was started by fmogul entitled "newbie question: mail order maples zone to zone"

The refernce to the perma till product was made by deshima. I may go pick up a bag. I just planted a big tooth in the ground, and was thinking about a japanese maple for a container (since I now have the room) any suggestions by the way? something that isn't too big and can tolerate some heat an humidity...slightly taller than wide.

Of course, you can keep any of the Acers taller than wider by judicious pruning, but let me look at the cultivars I have. Perhaps I can make a suggestion. I have several growing in full sun. I take it you're not set on a dissectum? Maybe Pam, from WA will see this & can offer help too. I know she is good with Acers. I'll mail her tonight with a heads-up.

Al

Mailed Pam - she'll likely be along shortly. Some of my favorite uprights for sun are:
A. p. 'Arakawa' (rough barked maple)
A. p. 'Issai Nishiki' (pine bark maple)
A. p. 'Chisio' (common name unknown)

Don't know how they'll tolerate TX heat, but they love the MI humidity.

Al

I'm not sure I can add anything valuable to this discussion - Al gives me much more credit with maples than I deserve :-)

First, I know nothing about either perma-til or turface, except what I've read on these forums. My potting mix tends to be commercial and pretty generic, other than being highly recommended for J. maples. And in my experience, it does a great job.

Second, coming from the extremely mild PNW where darn any J. maple can tolerate full sun, I have no idea how well most would hold up in your far more intense heat. That said, many red leaved cultivars seem to be more sun tolerant than those with lighter colored foliage. A couple that would fit your requirements and I believe hold up well to your heat and sun are 'Fireglow', 'Moonfire', 'Ara Kawa' (rough bark maple), 'Tsukubane' and 'Ueno Yama' and its sports (Katsura, Orange Dream).

FWIW, Mountain Maples is an excellent resource for this type of information, addressing maples by specific growing attributes. Check out their listings for maples for hot/dry situations or for container culture. Lots of good photos as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mountain Maples

Thanks for the maple info. I looked some of these up and they look great. I had no idea there was so much variety. I think the ones that most people plant here are "crimson queens". I'm going to do some research and wait on this project.

rhizo is correct in it being marketed as Stalite in the construction trade. the product has been used for many applications for healthiest possible plants/greenery.

Here is a link that might be useful: soil amendment