What type of soil mixture should I use for my hoyas. Just got some great ones( also have another order on way) from Carol that will need to be repotted in a couple of weeks.
Marilyn
What type of soil mixture?
Hey Marilyn...
Mel_TN has some great names of ready made medium...hopefully she'll come up and tell you. She posted it not long ago, but I can't find it....
Carol
Hi Marilyn,
My favorite mix is Fafard # 3. Fafard has several different formulas, but, I like this mix becasue it has small bark chunks and plenty of perlite.
I also like Pro Mix BX and Jungle Growth. If you can locate a Greenhouse Supply Store in your area, I imagine they would carry one of these soils.
Mel
meltn, do you use Fafard #3 or Fafard #3 modified?
If you can't find a ready mix...buy an orchid mix or a Cactus Mix and add Fine Bark Chips to it AND if it has some lose organic matter in it too, all the better.
IMHO
Carol, what would loose organic matter be? Have you ever heard of "Black Gold" potting mix? They have it at Biglots, for about $4 a bag. Seems pretty good. What do you think?
~Heather
p.s. I have noticed that when I am starting my cuttings, the water in the tray is really brown. I am using coir and perlite. Do you think I am not rinsing my coir enough?
Heather I use and love Black Magic (not Gold) from Biglots. It's one of the few potting soils I can find that doesn't have fertlizer in it. It's the same as Black Gold, just at a much cheaper price. I brought 5 bags to last me until next Spring.
Blessings,
Awanda
Awanda, do you use the Black Magic straight out of the bag or do you add anything?
Sharon I add, #3 perlite, small lava rocks, coir and small orchid bark. When I run out of lava rock, I'm going to start using pumice. HTH
Blessings,
Awanda
Thanks Awanda! I assumed it needed amendments for drainage, which is fine. We have a Biglots in the next town over and I may just check it out and pick up some of the Black Magic since I can't hardly find anything decent here.
From what I hear...Black Magic would be great. I use peatmoss (a special chunky kind).
Heather...try rinsing your coir more. I would let it sit in a mesh bag in a bucket for 24 hours, then rinse...and do this 3 or 4 times... Just to be safe. The brown stuff is tanins from the wood in the chips... You can use the Coir Dust as organic matter too...
Thanks! You are right Awanda, it is Black Magic. Looks like I will be making a trip to Biglots later today! Hoyas...all in a days work!
~Heather
Heather are you using the large bag or the small bag of Black Magic. I prefer the smaller bag for .99 for my houseplants/hoyas. The larger bag I use for outdoor plants. The large bag here only cost $1.99 and the small bag is.99. The large bag states that it's used more for outdoor plants. Just my humble opinion :-).
Blessings,
Awanda
Awanda, just got back from Biglots, to my suprise, .99! What a baragin! I stocked myself up. I'm thinking of replanting all of my hoyas, would now be the time to do it?
Heather
Anytime is good, Heather. Them critters is tough. I also think that before they go more dormant in the late fall is a good chance to let them get established....