Somehow I had it in my head while at Lowes this morning that I wanted orchid potting mix to repot my plumie in but now that I am home, I see it is cactus mix I was supposed to get. This getting older is for the birds. LOL
So, after calling Miracle-gro to try to find out a little more detail about what the orchid mix is made up of (besides peat moss and bard??) with no success, I decided to post here and ask if anyone has had any experience with this mix and whether or not I should use it or return it. I have not opened it, so no clue what it looks like, other then the pic on the package. Here is a link to it:
http://www.miraclegro.com/index.cfm/event/ProductGuide.product/documentId/E4EACAA158C7C9B20089A14FFE57ED5C
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
potting mix question
I wouldn't necessary use only cactus mix for potting plumies because of its general lack of nutrients. Some people mix it in with regular potting soil to increase drainage. The orchid mix probably drains well too; although, it probably contains bark which will retain water. You could mix it in with some well-draining good-quality potting mix, but I wouldn't use it by itself with plumies. I think the reference to "bard" is a typo and should say "bark."
Thanks Clare, I was planning to mix it with potting soil, should have mentioned that. I think I will go ahead and return it and get the cactus mix instead, better safe then sorry. I am so bad about over-watering that I don't dare take any chances if bark retains water.
You are probably right about "bard" being a typo.
I appreciate the help.
If they don't have the cactus mix, if you can find some straight perlite you could add that to the mix that you have and it would help alot in the drainage.
ive used the supersoil, cactus and palm mix. comes in a big red bag from home depot and all my hibiscus and plumerias do very well in that mix right out of the bag.
Thanks for the info Tigerlily,
I saw the cactus mix at Home Depot this morning while nursery hopping. And I will look for perlite while I am there getting it, I really should keep some on hand. I know I would use it if I had it. The one time I remembered to look all they had were huge bags and I knew I did not need a lifetime supply. LOL
oh shoot, should have previewed before I sent. I missed your post shokwave, sorry. I did not see that mix at my local Home Depot, but it may have been in the outdoor soil section and I only looked at the inside nursery area where the smaller bags are. I will look when I go back. Only thing that does not thrill me about the miracle-gro soil is that they add fertilizer and since I do my own regular fertilizing, I worry about them getting too much. If I can find a mix that does not contain any extra, I would much prefer it. Thanks!
yeah its outside.. cant have enuf of it. i go thru it like crazy. like u, i feed mine with hydroponics nutrient solution so not having any fertilizer in it is preferred by me also.
Thanks for the info, I will check outside then. :~)
Shokwave,
I went to HD this morning and had no problem finding the red bag of Cactus Palm mix. Got a bag of perlite too, but I will not be using it on my plumies, it contains their fertilizer. :~( Thanks again for the info!
aren't those fertilizers in minute amounts?
i think u will like that mix.
Are you sure the Supersoil Palm and Cactus Mix contains fertilizer? This is their website:
http://www.supersoil.com/products/supersoil/palm_cactus_mix.shtml
and I have read the bag and I don't recall seeing that fertilizer has been added. I have used it with good results.
Tucson, no idea what the qty is other then it supposedly lasts for 3 months, but any is more then I want in plants that I fertilize as much as I do my plumies and brugs because I worry about burning them.
Shok, yes, I think I will too. I opened the bag and like the texture. Thanx again!
Josegabriele, no fert in the palm/cactus, but the perlite I got did have it. Glad to hear another positive vote on the palm/cactus! :~)
Thanks everyone.
Pudgymudpies-are you saying that the straight perlite has fertilizer in it-or the Miraclegro?
The only perlite I could find at HD was Miracle-gro brand and enriched with miracle-gro plant food.
http://www.miraclegro.com/index.cfm/event/ProductGuide.product/documentId/cbe3c5194b4c2d027d61fa4e3bd1568b
Pudgymudpies-just looked at the label-the amts of fert in the perlite are really minimal-the nitrogen is .004%! It is almost useless to put that small amt of fert in anything. I fert my plumerias with a slow release that is 19% nitrogen.
You are more than safe to use that perlite and act like there is no fert in it-because there really isn't!!
Strange though, to even find straight perlite with any amt of fert in it -trust Miraclegro to add some though!
I don't know about you all but I use MG potting mix and still fertilize. I just water down my fertilizer a lot. I kinda use a drop or two every time I water. So far, I haven't burnt any of my plants.. But these aren't plumerias.. I wonder if plumerias are more sensitive to fertilizers then??
Thanks Tiger & Icosden, good info!
thanks for pointing that out tigerlily. that's why i asked my question. plumeria can talk regular fertilizing (e.g. in lower dosage each time you water). i used the granular fertilizer. that means that my plumeria have access to fertilizer when the soil is moist. they are doing fine after 1+ years. before that i fertilized with liquid fertilizer everytime i watered. that became time consuming but it did not hurt them.
I agree with Tigerlily and Dete. In fact, I think I analyzed Supersoil once, and the fertilizer was in minimal amounts. I used to add Dynamite slow-release fertilizer when I repotted and used MiracleGro about once every other week, but I am lazy these days. I still use MiracleGro every few weeks though.
Icosden, plumerias are heavy feeders and need a regular fertilizing regimen to bloom well. I wouldn't worry about fertilizer burn. I don't think it happens to people very often.
Good to know but I'm still try to germinate mine.. I'm sorely tempted to buy a cutting. I tried buying cuttings multiple times but somehow DH always gets in the way... **sigh**
Icosden, when you try to buy interesting things like Plumi cuttings, just tell DH that it will grow into something he likes to eat! That usually keeps them quiet - from experience - of course when it grows the lovely flowers - put it down to a senior moment when making the purchase like it sounded just like whatever!
I have been using 3/4 parts Kellogs potting soil in the blue bags to 1/4 parts Thermo-O-Rock perlite with great success. The potting soil has no fertilizers to start with, I add the perlite only for drainage. I add a water soluble fertilizer, such as Miracle Grow every week to every other other week. I like the Miracle grow because it has yet to burn the plants, and it comes to with minor nutrients. For good measure, once a month I add some Vitamin B or Superthrive to the fertilizer mix. I have a fertilizer injector so it is very easy for me to use the Miracle grow/ Vitamin B mixture.
I have also used Supersoil, but like the Kellogs because there is no fertilizers added.
Davie
Seemama, that's a great idea. don't know if DH would fall for that one though.. He's like a techno-nerd (yes, that's what I call him) and remembers everything.. And he already knows that plumeria's one of my favorite flowers.. Only if he was dumber... :)