container soil

Goldie · February 9, 2011

What mix do you use in your self- watering containers? Can I make my own from products found at the big-box stores? I used Miracle Grow last year, I would like to cut down on the expense. Thanks

rnewste · February 9, 2011

I find a Combo Mix of 3 parts Potting Mix, 2 parts Groundcover Bark, plus 1 part Perlite works well in SWC applications. Others may recommend a higher bark percentage.

Raybo

Goldie · February 10, 2011

Thanks, Raybo. When you say potting mix, do you mean something like Scotts or MG soilless mix for pots? For the groundcover bark, what size is it? Do yu add fertilizer and lime?

ContainerTed · February 10, 2011

I believe Raybo will say yes to the Scott's and MG. The primary quality has to be "soil-less" - no dirt or sand.

Ted

Goldie · February 10, 2011

Can I re-use any soil from last year?

creister · February 14, 2011

Just make sure the soil mixes do not have moisture control on the label. Somewhere on Ray explains about reusing soil.

From what I remember, he uses a ratio of 3 parts potting mix: 3parts pine bark: and 1 part perlite to replace any lost container mix from previous year. I know he mixes old with the new as well.

Goldie · February 14, 2011

Thanks so much!

rnewste · February 14, 2011

creister,

You are spot on!

For "virgin" Combo Mix, 3:2:1.

When re-using old Combo Mix, change the ratio of newly added replacement Mix to 3:3:1. This should bring things back into balance, to make up for the bark decomposition in the original Combo Mix.

Also, always use Potting Mix - - not Potting Soil. You don't want any dirt in containers as it will compact and limit aeration. Here is a quotation on the Premier Pro-Mix website that is important to keep in mind:

"""The process of aeration is one of the most important factors of productivity. Plants absorb oxygen (O2) and release carbon dioxide (CO2) during the respiration process. "Respiring" roots use the sugars made during photosynthesis to provide the energy necessary to drive mineral salt absorption. For most plants, internal transfer of oxygen from the leaves and stems to the roots is too slow to supply enough oxygen to the roots.
In order to have good plant growth, the
growing media needs to be "aerated", meaning that air exchange between the growing medium and atmosphere has to provide the plant roots with sufficient oxygen and to remove excess carbon dioxide from the root zone.”””

Raybo

les matzek · February 14, 2011

hi goldie.
if you can get sunshine #4 mix made by sun gro or pro mix, light warrior by
fox farm, or botanicare moist mix there will do just as good as and maybe
even better than any magic mix.

the only thing you could do to make the above mixes a little better is to
add maybe 10 % # 3 or # 4 grade perlite, all the above mixes can be
bought at any hydroponoc store, good luck and regards.

les

Goldie · February 16, 2011

Thank You! Lots of good info.

February 9, 2011	#1
Goldie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Douglasville GA Posts: 115	container soil What mix do you use in your self- watering containers? Can I make my own from products found at the big-box stores? I used Miracle Grow last year, I would like to cut down on the expense. Thanks

February 9, 2011	#2
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	I find a Combo Mix of 3 parts Potting Mix, 2 parts Groundcover Bark, plus 1 part Perlite works well in SWC applications. Others may recommend a higher bark percentage. Raybo

February 10, 2011	#3
Goldie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Douglasville GA Posts: 115	Thanks, Raybo. When you say potting mix, do you mean something like Scotts or MG soilless mix for pots? For the groundcover bark, what size is it? Do yu add fertilizer and lime?

February 10, 2011	#4
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	I believe Raybo will say yes to the Scott's and MG. The primary quality has to be "soil-less" - no dirt or sand. Ted __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

February 14, 2011	#6
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	Just make sure the soil mixes do not have moisture control on the label. Somewhere on Ray explains about reusing soil. From what I remember, he uses a ratio of 3 parts potting mix: 3parts pine bark: and 1 part perlite to replace any lost container mix from previous year. I know he mixes old with the new as well.

February 14, 2011	#8
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	creister, You are spot on! For "virgin" Combo Mix, 3:2:1. When re-using old Combo Mix, change the ratio of newly added replacement Mix to 3:3:1. This should bring things back into balance, to make up for the bark decomposition in the original Combo Mix. Also, always use Potting Mix - - not Potting Soil. You don't want any dirt in containers as it will compact and limit aeration. Here is a quotation on the Premier Pro-Mix website that is important to keep in mind: """The process of aeration is one of the most important factors of productivity. Plants absorb oxygen (O2) and release carbon dioxide (CO2) during the respiration process. "Respiring" roots use the sugars made during photosynthesis to provide the energy necessary to drive mineral salt absorption. For most plants, internal transfer of oxygen from the leaves and stems to the roots is too slow to supply enough oxygen to the roots. In order to have good plant growth, the growing media needs to be "aerated", meaning that air exchange between the growing medium and atmosphere has to provide the plant roots with sufficient oxygen and to remove excess carbon dioxide from the root zone.””” Raybo

February 14, 2011	#9
les matzek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Landers, CA Posts: 191	hi goldie. if you can get sunshine #4 mix made by sun gro or pro mix, light warrior by fox farm, or botanicare moist mix there will do just as good as and maybe even better than any magic mix. the only thing you could do to make the above mixes a little better is to add maybe 10 % # 3 or # 4 grade perlite, all the above mixes can be bought at any hydroponoc store, good luck and regards. les

February 16, 2011	#10
Goldie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Douglasville GA Posts: 115	Thank You! Lots of good info.