skip to main content

Al's Gritty Mix?

11 years ago

Newbie Here! Okay I am bummed! I just transplanted my lemon tree. Desperately needed it, it was not looking so healthy. Sadly not in Al's gritty mix. What is it? Where do you buy it or is it a home concoction? And just read somewhere about someone using a vinegar regiman? What is that for (adding acidity obviously) but how do you do it.

I did take my tree right to the root ball and rinsed them wasnt too overgrown so didnt do any trimming. It has lemons on it but just looks so sad an droopy...

If someone has Al's Gritty Mix recipe I would love to have it as I am quite sure I will not be able to purchase it in Canada! I do still have an orange tree I just bought that will need transplanting this spring.

This is the best hobby in the world!

Sharon

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

caliloo
11 years ago
Newbie here also, but this link from the Container Forum should help. I've been searching my local area for the ingredients also. Good luck!

Alexa

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Al's Gritty Mix on the Container Forum
heislerab
Original Author
11 years ago
Seriously! Floor Dry! How ironic, my husband is a mechanic! As for the Granite, Al if you are out there or if any one else knows, Will crushed shale work? I just so happen to live within 4 miles of a shale crushing company whom I happen to know very well. One downside to shale, if it is a downside in this case, is it brakes down quickly. As for the bark, jerbils, so already have that!
Now is it safe to retransplant my lemon tree in this when i do my orange tree in a month or so when it warms up enough here?
Still would like input on vineagar treatment too. My P.H. is low
Related Discussions
Al Gritty Mix and Basic Soil Mix
Q
Comments (2)
I limit the organic (bark) component of the gritty mix to 1/3 or less of the o/a volume so there is no chance the organic fraction will decompose and the soil collapse structurally. You don't want the bark breaking up into so many small pieces that they clog the air pores in the soil and create/contribute to the volume of water in the PWT. We don't usually add lime to the gritty mix - using gypsum instead, and the Epsom salts is added a little at a time to the fertilizer solution each time you fertilize. Porous soils allow excellent gas exchange in the rhizosphere. They allow gases generated by the composting process (methane, CO2, sulfurous compounds) to quickly escape the soil while air diffuses back into the soil in the other gasses' stead. Al
...See More
Al's 5:1:1 Mix vs. Al's Gritty Mix for Tropical Fruit
Q
Comments (5)
Yes you can, and in the short run 5-1-1 in may actually perfom better than the Gritty mix. But it will wear out quicker (break down) than the gritty mix. I tend to think of annuals going in the 5-1-1 mix, and perinnials in gritty mix. If you are going to be up-potting in a couple of years go with what you have. Either are a better choice than most anything you can find in most garden centers. Gritty mix makes future repots a dream, tip the pot over and you have bare roots.. Grading the pine bark is not fun, I hate it! A major concept of the gritty mix is based on particle size, larger particles have less surface area (by volume) and thus less water retention. 1/4 to 1/8 inch seems to be the optimal size, although due the screening process of pine bark and the thin strips I will let most 1/2 and under get in the mix (under 1/8 is not good either). If you are looking for Turface MVP check a local irrigation supply house, the stuff was designed for baseball diamonds so look in that direction. The dust is not good for the mix (particle size) The gran-i-grit is intended for chickens to help them digest grains. There are many other products other than gran-i-grit that will perform just as well. Look to a local farm supply house for the rock. Rock dust is not good for the mix (particle size) Gypsum is available at the big box home improvements stores. Gritty does dry out quicker than potting soil so you do need to water a bit more often. It is extremely difficult to overwater with gritty mix, that includes mother nature overwatering. Root rot is probably the number one killer of potted plants. After water, air is the most important thing you can give roots (most plants), more important than fertilizer. Gritty mix excels at this without drying out the root system. Gritty mix is heavy stuff, an advantage of heavy is the pot is less likely to tip from heavy winds. Al is a smart guy, it is such a simple concept.
...See More
mixing the al's gritty mix questions.
Q
Comments (1)
Volume!
...See More
"Al's Gritty Mix" Gypsum Question
Q
Comments (21)
But doesn't Pagan and Mediaeval go together? lol Really I'm trying to read anything that comes up on mix for Succulents, not cacti if they have different nutrient needs and not for general plants. It's confusing with so many options and opinions. But I'll plod on asking the odd question. I've done some propagating using perlite only, and decided to buy some C&S potting mix with perlite 40:60 for regular potting until I work out what I might want to try out (mainly to get them looking gorgeous like I see here and other places, but also to grow touchier species). My next question was to be what do people use to give them nutrients or fertilizer when using "stuff" eg grit, perlite, stones, coir etc. with no nutrients. But I was getting stressed coz I want to understand it all now! lol. Hence the C&S perlite mix.
...See More
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
Floor Dry, Napa autoparts #8822.

Bark must be *conifer bark* - not wood-shavings, wood-chips, or sap-wood.
Pine and Fir bark are the best. Cedar should be avoided.

Re-potting in a month or so should be fine. Citrus can be re-potted in Spring, between growth flushes.

Vinegar is added to water to lower the pH of the watering/fertigating solution.
Test water, add enough white vinegar to lower the pH to 5.5 - 5.8, record the amount
required to adjust the pH, and then add that amount each time you water or fertilize.

Josh
heislerab
Original Author
11 years ago
Thankyou so much Alexa and Josh! I did buy the pine bark, have lots of floor dry! I am definately going shopping for the rest! Will maybe skip the shale and look for the granite would hate to ruin a tried and true recipe! Will my limelight dracena like this mix too? It needs to be transplanted at the same time. Right now I am using summer fallow dirt, which the cows keep fertilized for me, perlite and peat. I did add the wood chips this last transplant. I will have to find something to up my P.H.
Nobody has ever heard of a foilage spray up here to add micro nutrients, just wondering if my lemon is lacking that too. I use a slow release citrus and avacodo food and supplement with 24-8-16 miracle grow. It is the only stuff I can find up here.
caliloo
11 years ago
Josh - I'm coming from a home cooks experience, vinegar is usually used to raise the pH of foods (like when pickling or canning) and the OP asked about raising her pH. Wouldn't using the sae trial/error for testing water using white vinegar work also?

Alexa
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
Vinegar lowers pH - increases acidity.

Test the water first to determine if the pH needs to be lowered. If so, then begin adding
vinegar and stirring vigorously until you hit the target pH. If pH is already low, then there's
no need to add vinegar.

Josh
caliloo
11 years ago
You are correct.... but if the OP wants to raise the pH of her soil, should she then add Baking Soda in small amounts?

Alexa
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
The Gritty Mix has a starting pH around 6 or so, which doesn't need to go any higher.

When working with bark-based soils, pH can be raised by adding Dolomitic Garden Lime,
1 Tablespoon per gallon of soil mixed. This should bring the pH of the media up by a point.

Josh
heislerab
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for clearing all that up. I will be putting them into the gritty mix once our weather allows.

Sharon
charleslou23
11 years ago
so what's the purpose of NAPA floor dry? Does it serve the same purpose as perlite?
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
No, the Floor Dry is a substitute for the Turface MVP.

The traditional Gritty Mix recipe does not use any Perlite.

Josh

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE City View: New Orleans Style Mixes It Up

By Becky Harris

Always ready for a party and a parade, this Louisiana city also counts history, varied cultures and a resilient spirit among its influences

KITCHEN DESIGN New This Week: 2 Kitchens That Show How to Mix Materials

By Mitchell Parker

See how these kitchens combine textures, colors and materials into a harmonious whole

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Gray and Yellow Mix It Up in a London Apartment

A neutral palette gets a jolt of energy from sunny accessories and witty artwork in this new unit in an industrial area

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: A Fresh Mix in a Traditional Colonial

By Becky Harris

A designer combines rich colors and fabrics with lighter pieces in a living room that's the heart of a North Carolina home

ACCESSORIES Finish Your Look With a Fun Mix of Textiles

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Why box yourself into a design corner when you can spread out ever-changing throws, rugs and even bags?

LAUNDRY ROOMS Soak Up Ideas From 3 Smart Laundry Rooms

By Mitchell Parker

We look at the designers’ secrets, ‘uh-oh’ moments and nitty-gritty details of 3 great laundry rooms uploaded to Houzz this week

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: A New Chapter for a Storied Chicago Building

By Mary Jo Bowling

Al Capone may have once run the joint, but this top-floor unit had lost its character — until an interior designer moved in

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Picnic Fixings

By Lemonade Makin' Mama

Savoring picnic fare under an open sky is even better with these al fresco accessories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Porch Life: 8 Ideas for Great Outdoor Dining

By Becky Harris

No need to schlep a bulky basket out to the park — enjoy al fresco dining steps away from your kitchen with these porch ideas

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Easygoing Elegance for a Massachusetts Saltbox

By Mary Prince Photography

With beers on tap, a pizza oven and a guitar collection, this home mixes classic with generous doses of fun

Sponsored

Fairfax Kitchen Bath

48 Reviews

DC Area's Top Rated Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Experts

More Discussions

is this a sign of HLB or Boron deficiency?

2

Should I keep this growth on baby orange?

6

Help with distressed lemon tree

1

What plant is this? Thinking its either lemon, orange, or citrus.

9

Major comeback of winter damaged citrus

2