Specialty Gardening: Container Soils: Water Movement and Retention II, 0 by tapla

tapla wrote:
Thanks, JP.

"I can get both the Earth Juice Microblast and the Foliage-Pro 9-3-6. How do I use both on container plants in each growing season?"

Just get the 9-3-6 if it's available. It has all the essential elements in a favorable ratio to each other. HOW you use it is sort of by a schedule tempered by 'feel', and largely dependant on soil characteristics and your watering habits. So THAT really told you a lot - right? ;o) Assuming you're using a fast soil that you can water to beyond saturation so you're flushing salts from the soil when you water, try this:

Fertilize at 1/2 recommended strength every 1-2 weeks. If the temperatures are between 55-80*, fertilize weekly. If above 80 or below 55, withhold fertilizer or extend the interval to 3 weeks (this is especially true if you are using a fertilizer that derives it's N from urea, like MG, Peters, Schultz ....). IOW - have a plan, but be flexible and watch your plants. If you see something fishy, ask for help. It's difficult to over-water or over-fertilize if you use a little care and are using half doses. I have a fertilizer thread around somewhere, too, but with the search engine down ........ Does anyone know for sure if it's ok to link to my article at another forum site?

"When you spread your large tarp out onto the driveway and start adding your ingredients, what about the wind?"

Post a small lethargic child or large turtle at each corner if the wind is not cooperating, or wait for a calm day. ;o) No, seriously, it's not much of a problem. You can't work in a gale, but once you dump the bark on the tarp, it won't go anywhere. It does help to have an extra set of hands to help you mix when using the tarp, though.

I use the gritty mix (see JPs post above) for all my long term plantings. These include bonsai, plant's I'm growing on for bonsai, houseplants/cacti/succulents, and all other plants I expect to be in the same soil for 2 or more growth cycles. It's extremely long-lasting and because it holds good amounts of water while remaining highly aerated, very productive.

The gritty mix: