What's your favorite potting medium or mix for plumies? I planted my one dwarf Singapore Pink in Schulz C&S mix; I mixed some Osmocote into it too. Today at HD I saw Miracle-Gro potting mix for cactus, palms, and succulents. I bought a bag of it 'cause I had to repot a cordyline (the thing was so pot-bound!). Would a medium for palms be better? Thanks.
potting medium?
Hi Beverly, I don't think the cactus, palms, and succulents have the same nutrient requirements that plumerias have, but they all need good drainage. If you did use that mix, you would want to compensate by fertilizing a little more often. Here is a recent discussion of potting soil: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/692749/
I use Sunshine Mix #4, which has excellent drainage, so I don't have to do anything to it. I know some people use SuperSoil and mix in perlite for drainage. Some people make their own mixes with sand, pumice, bark, perlite, etc., just to be sure to have good drainage.
Dwarf Singapore Pink is a dynamite bloomer and brancher so it will probably thrive in just about any medium. Mine is still blooming on last year's inflo's and starting new ones now.
So drainage is key as long as I fertilize? I know the C&S mix has great drainage (I can see the water run out, plus my C& other S are doing nicely). Now I'm really glad I added the Osmocote to it when I planted the cutting. Now that DSP is getting a lot of new leaves, should I supplement the Osmocote with anything? I have Epsom salts for magnesium, Peter's balanced 20-20-20, Peter's bloom booster (10-30-10 I think), and Peter's growth booster (30-10-10 I think). Also 2 kinds of orchid food, and more Osmocote.
I should have added that the new mix I bought says it has fertlizer in it. I remember reading somewhere that palms have a lot of nutrient requirements, so palm food is supposed to have a lot of micronutrients. Figured it should be good for the cordylines (they are so hearty).
Thanks!
Beverly in craZY NJ, where it was 80 deg F yesterday, and where it will be snowing tomorrow, we are expecting up to 16"
Hi Beverly, lots of people use different types of potting soil, but I think that the best mix will be well-draining and be slightly acidic. If I'm not mistaken, plumerias like a soil acidity of around 6.5 so that should be your goal, and a ph meter will tell you what your soil acidity is, and which fertilizer will be best will depend upon how you want to change your ph levels. I think a balanced fertilizer is said to be preferable for most situations.
I admit that I am out of my element here, and there are others more qualified to speak on this issue. Here is an excellent thread by our own Robert on the subject: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/681741/ I tend to be lazy when it comes to measuring ph and fertilizing in general. I usually use the standard MiracleGro, and I might experiment with a different supplement just for fun. I use a professional potting mix that I know is well-draining, and I watch for signs of trouble if I experiment with something new. My plants usually tell me when they don't like something that I've done.
I have no idea what palms like, but I'm sure that information is easily obtainable here at Dave's.