I have searched the forum for everyone's potting mix recipes, and am not having tons of luck. So, the thought hit me that a thread of everyone's potting mix recipes might be just the thing we need! Please post your recipe here so we'll have a convenient place to reference if we need to make changes to our recipes in the future.
I was using MG Perlite, but then they started adding fertilizer, so I began the search for a new brand. I found Scott's and I love it! MG was very fine, almost powdery, and I didn't care for that. Scott's is much larger chunks of Perlite, so my recipe is no longer useful to me. My plants are drying out completely in less than 3 days. I can't keep up with watering!
Potting Mix Recipe using Miracle-Gro Perlite:
3 parts Perlite
1 part Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
Potting Mix Recipe using Scott's Perlite:
1 part Perlite
2 parts Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
Huge difference, I know, but my new recipe seems to be working pretty well...good drainage, but not drying out almost immediately. I've only tried it on a few plants, but I'm in the process of repotting several more in the new mix to further the experiment. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. It may end up that I have to use a little more perlite, but for now it seems to be pretty good.
I'm anxious to see what recipe everyone else uses! :o)
Potting mix recipes - Post yours here, please!
I used to get my perlite in big bags from a local nursery, but the last shipment was extra-coarse and just too chunky for houseplants... so I picked up a bag of Scott's, which seems similar to what I'd been using.
Here's my recipe... I make it in a huge tupperware bowl that I can fit in the microwave for sterilizing, and I'm not quite sure if it's a 6 or 8 qt. bowl... I add 2 quarts of water to the dry mix, microwave for 15 minutes with the cover placed loosely on the top, then seal the cover and let it steam a bit longer.
3-4 quarts Pro Mix (soil-less potting mix with no added fertilizer)
3-4 quarts Perlite (Scott's or similar)
1/4 c. horticultural charcoal
2 Tbsp. moisture crystals, preferably small size (can't get them any more, will have to try crunching down some larger ones soon in my propeller coffee/spice grinder)
I'm enjoying the mental image of moisture crystals in a Cuisinart.
Never use Coir, too salty or nitrogen-eating.
Drying out in three days is usual here, so I used to go with a no-added-perlite mix. It's a desert. But as it decomposed, drainage got bad. Plus MG mix could use some dilution of fertilizer! Those Miracle-Gro folks, (fertilizer in perlite, too?) are NPK-happy widgets, aren't they?
Now, after having looked at Jill's happy plants it's
1part Perlite: 2 parts MG regular potting mix.
I figure (now, after winsomely learning the hard way) the fancier and more ingredients, the more chances exist of tainted or inconsistent material.
The perlite I bought is a mix of medium-small to medium-large particles sold under "Black Magic" brand. To the touch, it seems quite right. Like a just-properly-baked dessert, I could just eat it. It definately drains quickly. And thus, must pull down oxygen well, too. I water from the top. Carefully. Note that water evaporates so fast here that water burning is rare anyhow.
This is what I use but it is too soon to tell how suited it is in this dry dry place. We'll compare notes RainGazer. Fertilizing is a bridge I'll burn in the future!
Kenton
Basic recipe for wick watered plants - 'Wick Mix'
*1 part soilless mix (Promix, Scotts for AV's, Fafard, Sunshine) I prefer these as they do not contain fertilizer.
*2 parts coarse Perlite
*1 part coarse Vermiculite
********************************************************
More recipes found here. I haven't tried any of these myself.
http://www.jimmietoney.com/soil.html
I basically follow Snowrose's formula as well....I have some that are in dandy pots so like my soil on the lean side. They dry out faster but at least I know I am not going to lose them to root rot.
Good thread RainGazer!
Joanne
"Like a just-properly-baked dessert, I could just eat it."
Now, there's a man who caters to his plants, LOL!
This is a great thread... I hope a link can be added to our "sticky!"
basic mix:
1 part Promix
1 part perlite
1 part vermiculite
(and frequently some Marathon for mealie control)
Variations:
- for wicking: more perlite
- for plants that go dry between waterings: about 0.5 part coir
- for water hogs that still want a light mix: add water retaining crystals
- for lime lovers (chiritas, some streps, some sinns etc): add pelletized dolomitic lime or crushed oyster shells
- for heavier feeders: a few slow release fertilizer pellets 2/3 of the way down
Micro sinningias:
- they seem happier in long fibre sphag so I may switch them all over.
Basic mix I use on Av's
1 part Scott's preferable or Shultz AV potting soil w/fertilizer
1 parts Coarse Perlite
1 part Coarse Vermiculite
1part Charcoal
a dash of crushed Lime
a pinch of Epson salts
MIXED WELL~ till arms are about to fall off& back is killing me.:)
All are watered in with 1 gal of water with 1big drop of SuperThrive.
Nothing else til it's almost bone dry.
If I'm wick watering then I add more perlite to the soil mix & add a mixture of perlite & charcoal to the bottom of the pot then the wick.
No moisture crystal's for MsC...who's the 'Queen of Death' by drowning:)
MsC
This message was edited Aug 23, 2006 2:30 PM
I really appreciate the potting soil questions I had been thinking to ask the same question about fertilizers used, to refer back to someones growing habits -products can be just what another grower needs to grow beautiful healthy plants. My soil for years is volkmann's early on there were no wicking mix just regular potting soil to wick perlite needed to be added. I have used this soil exclusevily since 1969 along with their ferilizer constant feed, A grower in mich. gave me this recipie worked ok for me a couple months using some plants-- 3 parts Pro-mix bx-- 1 part perlite, 1 teaspoon of dolomite limestone, 5 ounces of chick charcoal, her name was Evelyn Beckman, please list your fertilizers as well. Thanks Morganberg
Hi morganberg,
http://www.teasnursery.com/page6.html
Volkmann's fertilizer might still be available. Check out this link.
V's fertilizer (15-30-15) formulation for constant feed to be used at the rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. If not available anymore, you can use Miracle Gro (15-30-15) at the same rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon for constant feed.
Your mention of 3 parts ProMix to 1 part Perlite would be way too heavy soil mix for wicking.
thanks for the link to volkmann's fertilizer, the two brothers are no longer in business due to health issues and age,another grower bought them out and started the selling of all of the volkmann productsI do use the constant feed for all plants sometimes adding 1/8 tsp of masterblend 15/16/17 to the same amt. of volkman's Ibought this from Pat Hancock, Beckman's mix is too heavy for wicking, neither she or I wick I am very glad to be a member of this group thanks very much. Morganberg
Good for those who use Volkmann products and can still get them. Do you top water or bottom?
I so appreciate Pat Hancock and all her efforts in producing her gorgeous Buckeye's. Have several and like them very much. She has made a lot of people very happy!
You are fortunate to be a member of your group. So great to have others interested in the growing and sharing of violets.
Snow
Are Volkman products good? I just ordered some Optimara in the tubs off of ebay and still waiting for it.
I know Optimara has no Urea but some people seem to think it is all bunk about Urea. I know a grower on ebay that uses Plant Prod 20-20-20 and that is all she has ever used on her violets so who is right one wonders?
Joanne
Good questions Joanne...
I've never been able to find no urea fertilizer locally so I just use Peter's most of the time. I don't seem to have any problems from it, at least none that I'm aware of..lol
Wonder what they did back before they decided the urea was a bad source??? It sure seems a lot of things these days are just a marketing gimmick.
Anyone know for sure what's the deal???
MsC
Joanne,
I know many show growers and commercials who use fertilizer w/urea. Not all of them use Optimara by any stretch. If plants are repotted and soil refreshed regularly and flushed from the top now and then, most good brands are fine. How about all the growers that for years didn't know anything about the urea thing and have beautiful healthy plants? I think the proof is in the pudding.
I knew someone named Ardyth Joliffe (from Annapolis, Md.) who used the Volkmann's fertilizer and grew gorgeous plants. She wick watered w/ constant feed at the rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water and 1/8 teaspoon for newly potted rooted babies. What a pleasure it was to go to her lovely home and purchase plants from her. She hybridized 'Gemcraft Pink Pearl' which Rob offers. Sorry I lost track of her. She grew nice large plants and supplied a local florist which sold for high prices. On top of her violets, she was an outstanding watercolor artist. I think if someone were to mention urea to her, she would have said 'what's that?'.
Hi Snowrose,
Yes sometimes I think new information is over rated! I know a lady here locally and I am not even sure what she uses for fertilizer but she grows lovely big violets as well. I love going to her home because I am just in awe....they are all noids of course but nonetheless they are gorgeous!
She is a breast cancer survivor and I truly believe that working with the violets has had a lot to do with her recovery. I get so much joy, even though it can be a lot of work some times, I love to nurture a plant or a leaf and to see it reward you with beautiful flowers! A sight to behold!
Well I best get back to bed.....my sister is taking me out for Chinese food tomorrow......gotta love that!
Joanne
Growing violets can be very therapeutic and rewarding that's for sure. Enjoy your day and have fun with your sister.
MsC - I guess ignorance is bliss sometimes! LOL!!! I've used fertilizers that contained some urea for as long as I can remember. Who knew?
My mix:
1 part coir (I ONLY use SunLeaves from Worm's Way which has a miniscule
amount of salt content)
1 part vermiculite
1 part coarse perlite (from Cape Cod Violetry)
Oak leaf mold
Diatomaceous earth
Horticultural charcoal
For streps, I double the perlite
This message was edited Aug 31, 2006 11:27 AM
PlantMomto3,
Interesting about the 'coir'. Have wanted to try it but have heard both pros and cons. Some mix the coir and peat half and half. Thanks for mentioning the SunLeaves brand for the trace salt content. Do you still rinse yours prior to using? What has been your overall experience using coir compared to peat based mixes? Did you make any fertilizer changes?
Snow
Snow,
I've used coir for about 3 years now and my plants are so much healthier than they were when I used peat. Part of the problem with peat was my fault as my watering habits probably leave much to be desired. Some people overwater--not me! For example, when my plants became too dry, it literally became impossible for me to get the soil back to normal. With three kids and a demanding job, I didn't have time to worry about the soil turning to concrete. I also hated repotting for the same reasons. Coir is just more forgiving in my circumstances. If you decide to use coir, you might want to get a pH kit to test your water since AV's like things on the more acidic side. I now use coir for almost all of my plants and I have never rinsed it. In the gesneriad category, I have about 300 AV's, 30 streps, episcias, chiritas, nematanthus, etc. I also have a large number of hoyas, dischidias, epi's, hibiscus, succulents, etc. and don't use peat unless I absolutely have to. Of course, the mixtures are all different. :) Nothing is ever easy.
PlantMomto3,
What a fantastic collection of plants you have! Sounds like you have your hands full. The reason I mentioned mixing in some peat is exactly because of the pH factor. I have hard well water (disolved calcium/limestone). I grow just about everything you mentioned except for dischidias although probably not in the numbers you do. Have a few orchids and several other houseplants, begonias, etc.
Do you have soft water in your area?
I think I will try out the coir perhaps mixed with peat half and half then add the perlite and vermiculite to start with and see how it does.
Snow
Hi Plantmom!
Wow! You sure do have quite a collection....I am envious....but give me time....LOL!
I am going to see if I can find somewhere to investigate where to buy this coir in Canada,
Thanks very much for the info!
Joanne
I also have started using coir and so far so good. I wish I had kept track of which pots got coir when.... I'm not so organized.
anyway, I was popping back in to say that on gesneriphiles, there is some discussion going on about how the fertilizer "burn" (orange crud) that sometimes appears on streps is a result of too much urea in the fertilizer. I would add that dry soil and heat will exacerbate fertilizer burn, as the salt concentrate and stick to the roots. As streps tend to be grown on the dry side, they are light feeders, and many of them are more heat-sensitive, it would make sense that they would be more sensitive to urea content.
I use urea free fert on everthing because I have a lot of epiphytes and buy my fertilizer to meet their needs....
Earlier in this thread, people were talking about Volkmann's fertilizer, etc., and whether they were still available. There is an ad in the back of the current issue of the AVSA's African Violet Magazine. Volkmann's products are still available from the following website:
http://www.volkmannbrothers.com
They also have a toll free phone #: 1.866.521.9639
Their address is:
P.O. Box 2713
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-2713
Marilee :)