Hi Ralph! I don't know the answer to your question but I often make similar potting mixes with the ground bark so I will be very interested in any info you find. I have wintersowed the past couple of years but have only used commercial potting mixes or seed starting mixes. The more peat they contain the harder they are to deal with moisture issues in the containers but I believe germination was better than with the heavier mixes I have used.

Have you posted this in the Growing from Seed and Wintersowing forums?

I thought the reason we use pine bark fines was because it took so long to break down - thereby not offering much of anything to the soil, roots or seedlings growing in it.

I can't imagine pine bark being more acidifying to soil than peat moss.

I use a pine bark home blend soil mix for cuttings and divisions and for large seeds. I use a peat based soiless mix for small seeds (mostly because I want it sterile).

The only secret I have for seed sowing is to use rain water to water them until they are ready to transplant.

Pine STRAW is known to have allelopathic pre-emergent qualities on some seeds. Have not heard of nor seen reports of AGED pine bark doing so, though fresh product may. The aged PB loses those properties, but pine straw does not.

PB retains quite a low pH, even after being aged, but not (typically) as low as sphagnum peat. Most commercial potting mediums are pH adjusted.

I am a big fan of the Fafard commercial mixes, and have used them (with aged pine bark) for germinating purposes for many years. I also make my own container mix using pine bark (and perlite and Turface MVP) and very little, if any peat.

rhizo 1, which Fafard mix would you recommend for wintersowing? I need to get started and haven't bought anything yet. The Fafard potting mixes I have used for container growing were almost all bark fines.

Speaking of Fafard, they have a large soil mix plant just off Hwy 29 a mile or two north of Anderson, SC. The last time I was there you could pick up large bags of potting soil for $6 or 6 bags for $30. These are returns (or reruns) and are mostly labeled Custom Mix, but they usually are similar to their 3M formulation which is their most popular blend. If you want Seed Starter or a specific blend, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fafard Potting Soils

Take a look at this one. It's fine textured enough to be suitable for all seeds, but coarse enough so that you don't have to worry about damping off, algae, and other pain in the neck issues with the usual potting mediums.

For very tiny seeds, sow them on top and then apply a dusting of sphagnum peat on top, then water gently.

I've used this Fafard as a base for other container projects, too, by adding more perlite, bark fines, and/or Turface MVP.

This product might be coarser than some people are used to for seed germination, but I've had nothing but success with it. The 'light weight' Fafard mixes have wetting agents and fertilizers in them, which I (personally) hate to use.

Here is a link that might be useful: Good for sowing

Thanks, I'll ask my local nursery if they can get it for me.

Hi,
Does anyone know where I can purchase Fafard potting soil in the Chapel Hill/Durham NC area?

Thanks

Iris, you can find a list of retailers for Fafard products by clicking on their web site. Fafard lists "Potted Products" in Chapel Hill, "Orange Garden" in Hillsborough and "For Gardens Sake" & "Stone Bros and Byrd" in Durham.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fafard Potting Soils