I have always used a soiless mixture manufactured by Ball Seed Company. This year our local greenhouse changed to Pro-Mix. I have never used this product before. When I opened the bag, I immediately noticed that it doesn't have a lot of perlite or large bark in it. I used it to transplant all my brug babies yesterday. My questions are.....has anyone used this before and what were your results with brugs planted in Pro-Mix? Did you have to add perlite, foam, bark or anything to make it more drainable? Did you have any problems? It looks like it will retain moisture well, but I don't want it to hold too much. Anything you can tell me will certainly help me deal with a product I'm not familiar with. I sure hate to experiment taking the chance of killing one of my brugs.
Thanks,
Shirley
Pro-Mix Questions.....
I have had experience only with Shultz potting mix and Miracle Grow potting mix....both of which are expensive but work very well for me. Sorry I can't help you with the Pro Mix question, Shirley.
Owen
Do you buy that stuff in those small bags, Owen? This stuff comes in about 40 lb. bags for $10.
Brugie, I have used ProMix for several years and would'nt use anything else. I like it very much. It's light so I use it in hanging baskets and to germinate all my seeds. I have rooted all my Brug cuttings in it with excellant results. Right now I'm germinating all my Brug seeds in it and having excellant results also.I buy 3.8 cu. ft. compressed bales of it.I started using it after visiting a friend that has a commercial greenhouse business. I asked her what she used to grow her plants in since they looked so healthy and full and she told me she used ProMix and that it was the best to use for growing and germinating.The picture of the Brug cuttings I posted here are all planted in ProMix. Hope this helps.
Brugie.....I bought the $7 bags at WalMart. I think they were about 32 quart size or thereabouts. Am not able to manhandle the huge bags any more....tendonitis and dislocated shoulder took care of that!
Brugie, Just be sure to dampen it with water before planting anything in it.
We use Pro-Mix at the green house, we buy it by the tractor trailer load. I agree with Snow, be sure you wet it, and if the pot ever gets bone dry, you will have to wet it several times to get it wet again. There is something called Pro-MixBX that has composted bark in it that we use for large pots and perennials. I've even rooted a few cuttings in it when all the regular kind was frozen!! We used to use Berger BM1, but couldn't find a reliable affordable source for it and switched to Pro-Mix several years ago. Pro-Mix doesn't have Osmocote in it, so you will want to add that.
Whew!! I'm sure glad that I'm not using something that hasn't been tried and tested before. I don't think I can get the bales of it, but the bags are already a little moist when they are opened so are working out good so far. So, I guess no one adds anything to the mix then. I'll just shoot for great looking brugs like you guys are raising in this stuff. I did add osmocote when I transplanted my brugs. I think it said someplace to be sure to start a fertilizing program within 7 days of transplanting. Is ten bucks for one of those big bags a reasonable price? I'll need at least 15 bags when I get started outside. Suppose I could order a truck load and get it cheaper. Nah!! Thanks everyone, for making me feel easier about using something I'm unfamiliar with.
Shirley
I use a lot of pro-mix too. Aren't there different grades of it? I can only get the big black bales here but I thought they made a different type for seed starting. Don't worry Brugie - it's good stuff.
All I know is that the greenhouse is putting their small transplants in it. It does have some bark, but not much. I love the way it feels in my hands and I don't think I'll have pieces of perlite or foam floating to the top of all my pots this year.
Yes there are different grades of it. I just looked at the bag, and it was a bit dark out there, but I did see where it said professional mix BRK. I'm assuming that is for bark added. Anyway, I'm going to feel comfortable about using it now. Thanks Everyone.
S.
i am starting to feel like a slug!!! buy a cubic yard from a local nursery who also sells to smaller nurseries, 24.00, back of the truck packed down. i used 2 truck loads in about 5 months, need to get another one.
Brugie, I get the bale at the local Agway Store or from the greenhouse down the road.It's Premier ProMix BX.It has Perlite and Vermiculite in it.It's a product of Canada. Your local garden supply or maybe a greenhouse can get it for you. I pay $21.95 for the bale and it goes a very long way because it is compressed and dry so you're not paying for the moisture.I can't find a weight on the bag but DH said it has to weigh at least 80 lbs.Anybody know for sure the weight?
Arlene,
I'd bet if I were closer to the city I could get a deal like that or close to it, but living in the country and away from the city, it would cost me more to drive in a get a truck load. Only because I would have to do a bunch of shopping while I was there and that isn't a cheap venture.
S.
Brugie, i understand that. Call a local seed and feed about the osmocote and/or potting soil. there may be a time released as good as osmocote, don't know, but then i buy it with minors in it, and the seed/feed told me they sell minors separate. if you are in the country there must be a nearby seed and feed, or do they close for the winter? they just started selling 10 pound bags at home depot last summer, first i ever saw them.
All we have around here is a farmers coop. Not exactly a great place to get anything unless you are looking for weed killer and rat poison. We do buy the poison for our out buildings. Rather not have mice in the house. I think we will be going into the city next week to return or exchange some dress pants Jim got for Christmas. I know I can talk him into going to Home Depot.
S.