Miracle Gro Moisture Control does not drain well/ too moist
daddy09
14 years ago
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gargwarb
14 years agosfallen2002
14 years agoRelated Discussions
container gardening miracle gro moisture potting soil
Comments (6)I already have garlic chives (every few weeks a nice bunch) and nicely growing edible Indian Princess Nasturtiums. I expect strawberries (vine), Yellow Bell Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes & Organic Jalapeno's by the end of May/beginning of June. I have a dwarf lime tree on the way sometime this century (Spring Hill...). San Marzano Organic Tomatoes, Early Girl Hybrid Tomatoes, California Wonder Bell Peppers & Serrano Peppers soon to follow in June and July. Then some Texas Sweet Onions. My late crops will be Mucho Nacho Jalapenos, Cayenne Peppers, Orange Bell Peppers, Dill Weed and then finally early next year some more strawberries (bush). I'm so proud & can't wait. Steve's Garden Peace - Steve All of this on an apartment porch...Mostly in MG Moisture Control Pitting Mix....See Morepotting soil, cheapo stuff or the miracle gro?
Comments (44)Not all is as you might imagine it to be. I save a lot of the stuff I write as a document when the question comes up over & over. Coffee & tea as plant 'tonics' is a frequent topic. Here's what I discovered: Forum discussions frequently center on the question of adding dilute coffee/tea or grounds to plants as a 'tonic', but Arabica (coffee) and Camellia (tea) are known for their toxic alkaloid (caffeine) content and their allelopathic affect on plants as well as autotoxic (poison to their own seedlings) effects on future generations. Caffeine interferes with root development by impairing protein metabolism. This affects activity of an important bio-compound (PPO) and lignification (the process of becoming woody), crucial steps for root formation. We also know that the tannins in both coffee and tea are known allelopaths (growth inhibitors). There are ongoing experiments to develop herbicides using extracts from both coffee and tea that cause me to want to say they might serve better as a nonselective herbicide than as a tonic. I would not use either (stale coffee or tea) by applying directly to my plants - especially containerized plants; nor would I add tea bags/coffee grounds to my container soils. Rob - you can use white vinegar or citric acid (and other acids, but stick with the safer stuff) to lower the pH of your irrigation water (for the acid lovers) to about 5.5. Note how much acid is required per unit (like a gallon or 5 gallon unit) and repeat as needed. Note that pH of freshly drawn water rises as the dissolved CO2 gases off over a 24 hr period, so let the water you'll use rest for a day before adding the acid (first time only) for an accurate read. You'll need some pH paper - like what is used for ponds or aquariums. Al...See MoreIs miracle grow moisture control any good for tomatoes?
Comments (14)This stuff becomes unbelievably hot and cooks the plants!!! I have 4 enormous ornamental planters in my gardens, which I have planted with purchased annuals for over 20 years. I am very experienced, and these planters have excellent drainage. This year, I switched the potting soil out for Miracle Gro Moisture Control. I flooded the planters before putting the plants in - several times. I planted them, and was surprised to have to water every single day. This soil product felt moist, but none was shared with the plants - their soil root balls stayed bone dry. The 2 planters in full sun had dying plants. I plunged my arm at least 25 inches down into the planters and the soil was hotter than beach sand, all the way down. This product somehow retains heat and was cooking my plants. When I removed this soil, I was surprised to find big pockets of it that were dust dry. The 2 planters in shade did a little better, but no plant growth whatsoever. Maybe if the plants grew in this from seed, they would do better, but you can't put plants in root balls into it - this soil just won't let the moisture leach into adjacent soils. And it cooks them. If your plants are still alive, rescue them and replace the soil. I don't know what this stuff is, but I would definitely not eat anything grown in it....See MoreMiracle Gro Fungus Gnats
Comments (41)It's more important that what nutrients are available are only those the plant needs for normal growth and available in a favorable ratio, than where the nutrients came from; plants cannot absorb anything in organic form. Also, a container medium's structure is it's most important asset, the second is how long it can retain that structure while in use. A medium's ability to provide nutrition for the plant should be very low on the list of things to focus on, this because it is monkey easy for the grower to institute and take absolute control over their plants' nutritional needs; and, there is nothing in worm castings a plant needs that it can't get from a good soluble synthetic fertilizer. Worm castings diminish a medium's singular most important asset - its structure. Al...See MoreKimmsr
14 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
14 years agonatschultz
14 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
14 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
14 years agodaddy09
14 years agonatschultz
14 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)