Long Term Potting Mix Recipe - Alternative to Gritty Mix
arcan
9 years ago
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arcan
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
re-pot in al's gritty mix or wait ??Heatstressed Gardenia! Help!
Comments (16)Here is the recipe (excerpt from the thread below): *For long term (especially woody) plantings and houseplants, I use a superb soil that is extremely durable and structurally sound. The basic mix is equal parts of pine bark, Turface, and crushed granite. The gritty mix: 1 part uncomposted screened pine or fir bark (1/8-1/4") 1 part screened Turface 1 part crushed Gran-I-Grit (grower size) or #2 cherrystone 1 Tbsp gypsum per gallon of soil CRF (if desired) Source of micro-nutrients or use a fertilizer that contains all essentials I use 1/8 -1/4 tsp Epsom salts (MgSO4) per gallon of fertilizer solution when I fertilize if the fertilizer does not contain Mg (check your fertilizer - if it is soluble, it is probable it does not contain Ca or Mg. If I am using my currently favored fertilizer (I use it on everything), Dyna-Gro's Foliage-Pro in the 9-3-6 formulation, and I don't use gypsum or Epsom salts in the fertilizer solution.* http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg0214580016564.html...See MorePros and Cons of 511/ Gritty mix and peat based potting soil
Comments (86)The thread is over 2 years old but the subject is still fresh and interesting. With respect to pros and cons of 5-1-1 , there are several issues: 1) Its effectiveness, as far as plants are concerned. An I am considering annual plants like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants. NOT house plants. 2) Cost Effectiveness: 3) Growers' convenience. I am a pro on (1) and (2) but con on (3). Since 5--1-1 does not come in ready to use form, it requires some efforts to procure the ingredients, quality check, mix, add calcium/magnesium (Lime), store your mix ... In this respect, it is not for everyone. On number (2) , cost effectiveness, It all depends where you are, what your sources are. Currently I make my own mix for under $3.00 per cf. Even if ready mixed potting soils like MG or Pro Mix cost about the same (which is unlikely) , I still prefer my own 5-1-1 mix for its EFFECTIVENESS in drainage and correct moisture retention. I have to mentioned that, I have been studying container media for the last 4 months of my gardening winter break. And with my past experience with media like MG, I have come to the belief that the bark based 5-1-1 is a better option. I might even try to modify it to some extent to better suit my application and climate. But it will remain basically BARK-BASED....See MorePotting into gritty mix
Comments (12)I'm an orchid grower who pops over here occassionally to see whats going on with container 'dirt' plants. I don't know what size container plants are being discussed, but thought I'd share what many orchid growers use to catch water as orchid mix is very loose also. We buy humidity trays which catch water and provide minimal humidity in winter around the plants. The greatest function is to collect water as the plant drains. Here's a shot of some orchids on one of these trays. I also buy plastic sheeting used for ceiling lights. They sell it in Home Depot and can be cut to fit any tray and is cheap. It only comes in white. You can cut it to fit metal roasting pans or cookie sheets to catch water. Helps save your living room floors. Trays in the pic can be bought at orchid supply places on-line. They are fairly strong as I have used them with 12" clay pots without it breaking. They come in different sizes. Jane...See MoreHelp! Al's Gritty Mix: crushed granite alternative?
Comments (23)Here you go Ruby! The pictures I promised you of my gardenias in the gritty mix. Notice the coloring and buds. They love the gritty mix! This one was tiny since the start of using the gritty mix This one was a cutting I started just this summer. This one was also a cutting. I bought it as a 2inch high high plant in a 2 inch pot!lol. It grew a lot over the summer. It is a special one and a rare one. It opens Yellow flowers and is very sweet. I won't take a chance of loosing this one to a peaty mix. Gritty all the way. This is my frost proof one. I am determined not to loose this one too. This one was saved from MG! It almost died when I first heard of the gritty mix and I desperately transplanted it into the gritty mix with the kind help of Al and Josh and look at it now. Here is a group shot of many other plants in the gritty mix. ALL were bare rooted and many have very sensitive roots. They all did fine:-) You plants will do fine if you listen to the friends here. By the way,Josh has made some more very important points. I wish you success. Mike...See Morealan_oz
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoarcan
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoalan_oz
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoarcan
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoalan_oz
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agojodik_gw
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoarcan
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agothe_yard_guy
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoNeed2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agothe_yard_guy
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoarcan
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agodrew51 SE MI Z5b/6a
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoozfruitnut
9 years agoNil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoozfruitnut
9 years agoNil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
9 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agojojo5264
9 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agojojo5264
9 years agojojo5264
9 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years agoozfruitnut
9 years agosoo
8 years agoarcann
7 years ago
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