Pro-Mix potting soil

Has anyone found a place to buy Pro-Mix potting soils in California - specifically in San Diego?
I checked the mfg web site and it doesn't list a retailer, but I could swear I've seen it. Either that or it's just that I hear about it so much on DG.

I'm up here in N.CA and I can't find it either.
Linda

I checked several local nurseries and they don't have it. Interestingly, according to the mfg site, if I drive across the Mexican border, I can get it!

Guess I'll have to find something similar or mix my own.

I've heard lots of people mention it but honestly can't remember ever seeing it anywhere. Never looked for it either though, so it could have been somewhere right in front of my face and I never noticed it! There are some good recipes for container soils in the sticky threads in the container gardening forum if you decide to make your own (I'm too lazy, so I just buy Miracle Gro mix!)

For a good, general, multi-purpose potting soil, you could follow the recipe for the University of Calif. Soil Mix which is:

1/3 coarse sand
1/3 peat moss
1/3 ground redwood bark

It's much cheaper than buying bags of potting soil and you can pre-make it and save it if you make it in plastic garbage cans.

I make this up and use the ratio of 3 cu. ft. of each ingredient and then add Osmocote to it as an additional "kick".

The U.C. has been using this general formula for about 50 years.

Thanks, JD. I couldn't find anything smaller than orchid bark. I do have sphagnum peat and perlite, though, so I might just mix some up and see how it does, or Grangetto's has a special on for June - buy 3 get one free. I looked at the Cornell recipes, too, and they say you can keep it pretty simple.

I have bought and used ProMix, my supplier has several different types, but, based on my experience the product they blend for general use is exactly the same as Lambert's which you can buy at HD (here in FL).

Kathleen,

I buy my Pro Mix BX at the Orange County Farm Supply over in the city of Orange. I just sent them an email to ask them if they carry the PM potting soil. They are closed today, but hopefully I will hear back tomorrow. If they carry it, do you want me to get some for you and bring it next Sat.?

Dale, that is a beautiful plant you posted. Please tell us what it is. Is it in a hanging container or in the ground? Love it to pieces!!!!

Donna

There is a grower's supply in Escondido that has a wide selection of packaged soilless mixes. I don't have the name of them handy as I'm kind of a long way from my Rolodex at the moment, but I can give you their number next Saturday at the RU.
best to you,
don

SoCal, it is a hybrid Fuchsia, about 5' tall in the ground, in Golden Gate Park SF, in 1987.

Clerodendren paniculatum, in the ground (:-), in Florida>

Donna - Thanks so much for the offer, but I think I should look for something near to home so I can get it when I need it. The Pro-Mix BRK sounds good, though - I saw that when I looked up your BX.

Don - Thanks, I will try to remember to ask you when your head isn't spinning that day!

For now, Grangetto's is having a special on a Sunshine mix starting tomorrow, so I will get that for my immediate needs. I have stuff I HAVE to plant this week.

Kathleen

Ok, but if if they have it and you want some, just let me know.

D.

I'm curious too. I use Sunshine mix and get it at American Hort Supply in San Marcos, but am always looking for a better deal. Looked at Hd and Lowe's this a.m......no Lambert's here.

Linda, I see it at Passanisis in Penngrove. They may carry a couple of kinds of Promix. Call them to make sure they have it in if you go near there. A fun nursery to visit.
http://www.passanisinursery.com/index.shtml

Is this of any help? http://www.premierhort.com/eProMix/Horticulture/fHorticulture.htm

Thanks for the tip. I went to Passanisi nursery years ago in the winter. It was a fun place even in the winter. The orchids were amazing. I guess I need to go back.
Do you guys think promix makes that much difference? I just use mg from sams club and I add some perlite.
Thanks
Linda

Thanks, Dale. I checked their retailer locater before - but there seems to be two web sites. The link you provided has distributors, and there are two just a few miles away. Sherry, if you're interested, L&M is listed.

Very cool. Looks like the pros are using it around here, but it's not being distributed to the big stores. ???

Linda, I don't know if it's any better, I was just have trouble finding a good soilless potting mix and it was one that saw recommended a lot on DG. I was going to mix my own, but couldn't find a source of fine bark.

Kathleen

Linda, I heard so much about it a few years ago on the Brug Forum so I bought it. And it is not cheap. I didn't swoon over it.

To all,

If you have distributor near you--call them--, they will more than likely sell you the product you need. You won't get the wholesale price, but, you will get the product.

I love pelargoniums, aka scented geraniums, they make the best groundcover cover in the shade. No extra water, no ferilizer and no bugs (here in FL)>

Kathleen, L&M has Pro-Mix? We've lived here 25 years and I've only gone in there once...don't know why....I'll check their price and see if it's competitive with what I already get. Thanks...
Sherry

Well, they're a distributor according to the site, Sherry - along with Agricultural Supply in Escondido. I'm pretty sure that's where I got my #3 perlite last time.

Dale - what's shade? I have one spot of shade on our acre, under the pine trees. :-) Very pretty picture.

Kaper,

I guess I will have to show you (:-)

This is not Shade>

This is Shade>

More shade>

The cool shade of Golden Gate Park, SanFran>

Ohhhhhh.... that first one looks like shade to me! lol

I guess I should have cleared it up earlier about the "redwood bark" I use in the UC mix...it isn't actual bark, it's Bandini Redwood Soil Ammendment that I use...and it has nitrogen added to it.

Sorry for the confusion, Kathleen.