Really? No one? But it is a question about soil recipes! I thought this was everyone's favorite topic on this forum...

Hi hottomato! I'm interested in how long 5-1-1 lasts, as well. There are SO MANY threads about Gritty Mix, and all the variations thereof, that it seems to take half a geologic age to sift through them all for information beyond the basics. Does anyone know if there's a website, blog, or book where everyone's discoveries and experiences have been cataloged in a more organized way? If not, that'd be a stellar idea.

--L

It was mentioned few times (how long, approx., it lasts structually) - don't have thread handy. You may have to read thru a whole thread on soils since that question was asked & answered.

I am surprised that chicken grit is expensive component for you - where do you buy it?
For me, it is least expensive, I buy it from farmer's supply place in 50lb bags. In small bags, it is def. more $.
Rina

Hey Rina. Thanks so much. I am in Boston, so the Agway i go to is basically in the suburbs. The demand for chicken growing products is certainly lower around here, probably leading to higher cost. However, the weight issues is really the bigger problem. If you find a thread that i haven't seen, by all means forward. Always love to nerd out on my favorite nerd topic of soil science!!!

Laura, there are a few (many) posts that Al has put together that sums things up in a very succinct way.

This one is more basic.

While this one speaks directly to soil and water retention.

The latter has some great links at the bottom as well. There is one last one on growing trees in containers i can't put my finger on right now, but i am sure you will find it. I think that is about a books worth of knowledge!

Re: longevity of 5-1-1

It really depends on the bark used in the mix. For the traditional recipe that uses aged bark, the mix will remain structurally sound for only a couple years. It will break down even faster if using organic nutrients, and if used outdoors in warm, rainy regions of the world.

If you make your mix with uncomposted bark, however, and perhaps incorporate a grit like Turface, Pumice, lava rock, or DE for moisture retention, then your mix could last several years.

Regardless, the mix will almost certainly last longer than would be wise to wait between re-pottings (paraphrasing Al). In other words, the roots will need to be pruned, or the plant up-potted, well before the mix collapses.

Josh

I had a Meyer lemon tree in 511 for three years with no problems. It may have lasted longer but I chose to re pot. Hope this helps, Jack

That does all help. Thanks all.

Pine bark contains a lipid (suberin) that resists soil organisms' efforts to break it down. Lignin (makes trees 'woody', and raw veggies 'crunchy'), a naturally occurring amorphous polymer that also resists breakdown, is also a component of pine bark as well as the bark of many other plant species. Together, they work to resist the organisms that digest and create compost from organic matter. Lignin is second only to cellulose as the most abundant plant component on earth.

As noted by Josh, either the gritty or 5:1:1 mixes will retain their structure far longer than it is wise to go between repots. IOW, root congestion will almost certainly become a limiting factor long before structural collapse of the soil becomes an issue.

Al

Josh, somewhat off topic: how important is lime in the 5:1:1 and gritty mixes?