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Old May 18, 2020   #1
Dork Fish
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Default Earthtainer mixture help

Good morning, I am trying to renew / add additional mixture to my mother's earthtainer. It currently has Metro mix 360 in it now but it has been in there for at least 3 years. I would like to renew it but I have found that I am having issues finding product. I am currently on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and have a very few private nurseries but mostly big box stores.

Can someone help me with a mixture from items that I can locally-source?

Thank you in advance
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Old May 18, 2020   #2
rnewste
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The 3-2-1 combo mix is comprised of 3 parts ProMix HP; 2 parts mini Bark Chips; and 1 part Perlite. Lowes carries all 3:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/PRO-MIX-Gro...ontrol/3745337

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Garden-Time...n-Bark/3731889

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sta-Green-8...ure/1000329705

Mix all 3 together in a wheelbarrow then thoroughly wet the Mix before placing in the EarthTainer. Be sure to blend 3 cups Dolomite Lime in as well as adding the fertilizer strip as per the EarthTainer written instructions below.

Raybo
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File Type: pdf EarthTainer 3.9 May 15, 2014 FINAL.pdf (1.97 MB, 16 views)
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Old May 18, 2020   #3
tryno12
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Default how to post new topic???

I apologize but: this isn't the right place but: How do i post a new topic??? i am thick and can't figure it out???
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Old May 18, 2020   #4
zeuspaul
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Go to the home page and select the appropriate forum. Scroll towards the end and select new topic.
edit, also a new topic box towards the top left.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tryno12 View Post
I apologize but: this isn't the right place but: How do i post a new topic??? i am thick and can't figure it out???

Last edited by zeuspaul; May 18, 2020 at 10:23 PM.
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Old May 19, 2020   #5
elight
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I have found Pro-Mix products difficult to source in different areas. I've never personally seen it in a big box store, so I'm guessing it's carried regionally.

My suggestion is to find a local hardware store that can order it for you from their supplier. Mine is happy to order for me and gets it within a few days whenever they receive their next regular supply truck.

You might also have better luck with a place that caters more to commercial growers.

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Old May 20, 2020   #6
shatbox
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Hydroponic stores will also carry Pro-Mix.
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Old May 20, 2020   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shatbox View Post
Hydroponic stores will also carry Pro-Mix.

I agree!

For the regular users (not greenhouse operators), a hydro store is the best option. Those stores are the most likely to carry it and have the best price on the bales as Pro-Mix is highly popular with 'indoor growers'.
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Old May 20, 2020   #8
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Thank you guys for your replies.

Just contacted our Lowe's and they don't have the promix or the ground bark but they do have the Perlite.
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Old May 20, 2020   #9
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Okay just got off the phone with customer service desk. I gave them all of the item numbers off their Lowe's website and they don't carry any of these items on the Gulf Coast.
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Old May 21, 2020   #10
elight
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Yes, I forgot that. I did get Pro-Mix from a hydroponic store once. If they don't have it in stock, they can almost certainly order it for you from their supplier.

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Old May 21, 2020   #11
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Unfortunately, most hydro stores charge a lot of money for Promix. So do some comparison shopping.

Walmart is carrying a homeowner Promix line
in a red or yellow (organic) compressed package which makes
2 cubic feet for $12.88.
You could add a little more perlite for a higher porosity. And the pine bark if you can find it to put together Raybo’s 3-2-1 mix. I don’t know how the quality compares to their professional line of potting mixes like Promix BX
(Popular with EarthBox users) or Promix HP (more perlite for higher porosity).

I use metro mix products (and some Promix as well). MM 360 is for filling small seed cells. Particle size is fine so the drainage is low and water
retention high.
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Old May 23, 2020   #12
Dork Fish
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MsCowpea View Post
Unfortunately, most hydro stores charge a lot of money for Promix. So do some comparison shopping.

Walmart is carrying a homeowner Promix line
in a red or yellow (organic) compressed package which makes
2 cubic feet for $12.88.
You could add a little more perlite for a higher porosity. And the pine bark if you can find it to put together Raybo’s 3-2-1 mix. I don’t know how the quality compares to their professional line of potting mixes like Promix BX
(Popular with EarthBox users) or Promix HP (more perlite for higher porosity).

I use metro mix products (and some Promix as well). MM 360 is for filling small seed cells. Particle size is fine so the drainage is low and water
retention high.
Thank you so much! I missed this post. On my way to get some of this from Walmart. Haven't had any luck finding bark fines
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Old May 23, 2020   #13
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Sounds like you probably feel you are on a "Snipe Hunt"!

Check local Nurseries for "decorative ground cover bark" and use the bark which has the smallest particle size (nuggets). Use only Bark product - not the hardwood stuff that is artificially colored brown, etc.


You can alternatively use Orchid Bark if you only need enough to make the 3-2-1 Mix for a few EarthTainers. (Can be expensive).


Raybo

Last edited by rnewste; May 23, 2020 at 05:37 PM.
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Old May 23, 2020   #14
MsCowpea
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https://www.promixgardening.com/en-u...re-potting-mix

This was the product at Walmart.
Unfortunately, goes out of stock quickly when they get it in.

Ingredients: (heavy on the peat)
Sphagnum peat moss (80-90% by volume)
Coir
Perlite
Ground Limestone (for pH adjustment)
Wetting agent
Mycorrhizae

Andrea, hope you were able to find it or a substitute. Sometimes bark is called composted soil conditioner.
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Last edited by MsCowpea; May 23, 2020 at 10:23 PM. Reason: More info
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Old May 31, 2020   #15
Dork Fish
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rnewste View Post
Sounds like you probably feel you are on a "Snipe Hunt"!

Check local Nurseries for "decorative ground cover bark" and use the bark which has the smallest particle size (nuggets). Use only Bark product - not the hardwood stuff that is artificially colored brown, etc.


You can alternatively use Orchid Bark if you only need enough to make the 3-2-1 Mix for a few EarthTainers. (Can be expensive).


Raybo
LOL MOST definitely! Was not able to find any kind of bark mixture.

Found perlite finally yesterday.


So this is what I have

Majestic Earth sphagnum peat moss 3 cubic feet
8 quart dry vermiculite
8 quart dry perlite
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