If there is one thing I know it's.......There's no 1 right way.
If it works for you.....use it. Well, let's share what works for us. Let's share our potting rituals, what soil brands do you use, share your homemade recipes.
How many different soils do you use? And for what? Where did the info come from for that soil.
Who wants to start? Any volunteers?
LET'S TALK DIRT ! - Discuss and share your recipes for soil
Ok you twisted my arm..lol..I used to change mixes on a whim constantly searching...always searching for that Magic Mix..for the last 8 months I have used Volkmanns regular mix with a few added handfuls of perlite for my regular mix..and for my wicking mix I used Volkmanns Wicking mix with a dab of added perlite..so far both mixes are working well for me..that doesn't mean I won't change to trying something new after reading what everyone else does tho!
i have always used 1 pro mix 1 verm, 2 pearlite & a handfull of charcol, i switched to i pt. meat, 1 pt. verm. & 2 pts. pearlite as i did not like the smell of soil thru out my house,so far they work good for all my wicking & others that are not wicked. i got my reciepe from dale martin
bonnie
When I first started growing AVs I started with Volkmann's soil and added Vermiculite, Perlite, charcoal and bone meal.
Over the years I've collected info on the net from lots of different sources and from lots of different people: Trapp, Fisher, Burns, Pittman, King, Bartholomew, Martens, and others. They've all posted recipes at one time or another.
I've changed my recipe just about every time I make soil. Always trying something new: looking for that perfect mix.
I've given up on a lot of the 'Fad' ingriedients and now stick to a basic formula of:
6 parts Pro Mix BX
2 pts. fine vermiculite
2 pts. coarse Vermiculite
3 pts. Perlite
3 pts. Sponge Rok (giant Perlite)
1 pt. charcoal
Lime & Superphosphate
I always mix huge batches -- for 20 gal. of mix I use 6 Tbl. Lime and 2 Tbl Superphosphate
Roxanne
I am going to print all of these recipes off once everyone posts theirs and try a small batch of each..I just might find that Magic Mix I have been searching for right here..I Love reading what everyone uses!
Now as for my strep wicking mix.........you all are gonna think I'm totally out there.
1 part African Violet Wicking Mix
1 part lava rock broken into small 1/4 - 1/2 inch chunks - Just regular mulching type lava rock....boiled to sterilize it then smashed with a hammer.
I know it sounds crazy. This mix has very little peat in it. To get it to wick I have to use a very long wick and actually wind it through and around the root ball. The potting mix will stay wet, but there's so much air in the mix the roots grow huge. It works for North Carolina high humidity.
i use half promix with fungicide and half perlite.:o)
That is a beautiful plant you have there... I think it is funny that you mentioned the Lava rock as I was going to go to the store and get some and break it up like you said and add it to my streps.. Why?? I have used Lava rock in my plumerias and the ones that have that in them seem to grow better.. I never boiled mine do you think we need to? If yes off to get the big pot out...LOL
Hugs,
susan
Thanks Susan, I love that strep, it's Dibley's Bethan. Gotta get it again. That's an old picture. I lost lots of my plants when I had back to back surgeries last year.
I don't know if you have to boil the lava rock or not, but I just kept thinking about it sitting around for years at a nursery with all the bugs and fungus around it, and all those dark little holes for stuff to hide in. LOL I hate critters!!! I use it in a lot of my other potted plants too. Very economical.
Roxy
Roxy,
Yup I am going tomorrow to get my lava rock... I don't know if I will wash it or not... Bugs don't bother me but I don't want them on my plants...LOL
I know what you mean about back to back surgeries... Been there done that...LOL Hope you back is feeling better and so are you....
Hugs,
Susan
Lava rock..thats an interesting addition..might need to try a little of that in my mix sometime too....
Hi,
Can I highjack the thread for a quick question?
How often does one use SuperThrive? Do you water or spray the leaves? Does it work on leaf cuttings in helping them to root?
Thank you.
No highjacking necessary! Good question! Some people swear by it......others say it doesn't do much! I'd be interested to hear what everybody thinks.
I used to use 1 drop per gallon on absolutely every gessneriad I grew. Now I only use it on struggling plants. Not sure it really works by spraying the leaves with it.....I could be wrong though.
One thing I've always done for my leaf cuttings is foliar feed. I think it really makes a difference. Leaves can just sit there forever sometimes.
Who else uses SuperThrive?
Oh my...the Superthrive debate, I've seen local gardeners very nearly come to blows over it. I use it, I like it, but I don't find it to be the magic potion that others seem to do. I use one drop per gallon of water when I think about it, and more often for tropicals in active growth.
Soil: I use 3 parts Pro Mix Ultimate Container to 1 part perlite, and about a handful of fine charcoal per two gallons or so of mix. My mix seems a lot heavier on the soil than others, but I rarely get rot. I also don't wick my plants, though as I get more, it's looking a whole lot more attractive.
Thank you all for the info.
AV ocd girl, It took me sometime to understand your forum name. It is great!
I have used it and never seen anything great... So I don't bother with it anymore... I do use every time I water VF-11 I think it is called...Now that seems to like my plants...
Ok I guess I don't get your name AV ocd girl girl as I thought you were a fruit...LOL
Hugs,
Susan
LOL Susan..I think Av girl has ocd- Obsessive Complulsive Disorder when it comes to gessies..just like the rest of us..LOL..Love that Name Roxy : )
OK.....OK..... just to prove the point........LMAO
DUH ME...LOL Like the name... Who me to many streps?? Who me crazy as a bat??? Nah thats not me only the rest of you...LOLOL I am always just very calm cool and never sweat it... Yeah right... LOLOL
Hugs,
Susan
Oh, I'm a fruit all right...... LOL
Oh no......I'm not obsessed........not me! ........ I pity whoever get between me and a sales table filled with AVs and Gessies........somebody's gonna get hurt!
Roxy..LOL..Oh mercy girl you do have it bad..even a personalized license plate..Ohhhh I Love It : )
Nah Susan you are perfectly normal..LOL..just like me..Ha Ha Ha
Roxy, I knew I had seen you post in another forum before I emailed you yesterday or the day before and it was here on the AV forum...LOLOLOL I am working on your plant... thinking how to ship it.. I am going to try to get most not all out this coming weekend.. That of course is if my family leaves me alone...LOLOL
Yeah Nancy, We are normal... just like all of us here... Tell my bank account that ok... I use to say I don't shop as I hate to shop.. Now my husband will tell people yup she's right she does not shop she just buys every flower she likes... I said Oh I could want diamonds or gold !!!!! He said I could have them to..LOLOLOL nope not me... Last piece of jewelry I got was a white gold turtle ring with a mother of pearl shell and that was in Hawaii and I wanted it... I also got my sister and I sister rings with two white pearls and a ruby and emerald stone on each side of the ring... I paid for those as I saved before going.... They were also white gold...LOLOL So he would rather I buy a plant as it is much cheaper...LOLOLOL I wear my turtle ring on my wedding finger when I remember to put rings on... I can't wear them to work as one time I did and a cats claw got stuck under it and I thought I was going to have it cut off, the ring that is after we got the claw out of my finger... As my finger swelled so bad... No more rings at work...LOL
Ok this is a book and I will see you all after work today... I hope you all have a wonderful day and I will see you all later...
Hugs,
Susan
This message was edited Aug 12, 2008 3:31 AM
Susan,
Yeah, that's me.......I love ALL plants. I wish I had the time, energy and money to have big collections of all type of plants. But I'm afraid at my age the energy runs out way before the others. LOL
No rush on the Plumerias........I'm just thrilled to be getting them. I still think you should look over my trades list and let me send you something ............. since you don't play fair and have no wants list posted. LOL
I hear ya about the jewelry ............ it just gets in the way when you're trying to garden. My DH kinda looked at me strange when I asked for rocks for my Birthday last year. I think a strong breeze woulda knocked him over. But of course, on my birthday here comes a big truck with 2 pallets of rocks. He's a real sweetie!!!!!
What kinda job do you have where you get clawed by cats? I'm a dog person myself. I've only had 2 cats in my life and they were rescues and really needed a home. Right now I don't think it would be a good idea.............my babies have never even seen a cat.
Av ocd girl,
I can't believe you have it on you car number plate!! ROFLMAO!!!!!!
Last Saturday I went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for the AV group plant sale. they also had day lillies, irises and begonias. I watched some lectures about them as well.
Kathy (Mrs Strep) was there and the AV table was full of goodies.
Atlanta Botanical Garden is gorgeous. It is small and cute. Lots of little surprises in the shape of ornaments, esculptures, etc.
My favourite was the orchid house, especially the little micro orchids.
I have been taking some photos of my flowers to post but am having problems with downloading them. I got the cable but it's not working properly.I hope my son can fix it soon as the camera is full.
Hi Ladies,
I work for a Vet and have for the past 14 or so years... I have to say when I was younger it was much easier to wrestle with the dogs and now come beat up and black and blue where no lady should..LOL
Av girl I would not even know how to create a want list or a trade list... It is part of the fun for me to grow and share.. I do know how to I think to do a list but I don't really want much in life.. Well OK I would like my family to stay home this coming weekend.. This if I post it here it would work..LOLOLOL
Nichole sent me the cutest baby AV's this week and I got them today... They are so tiny I hope I can keep them alive... I will take pictures after work tomorrow... Thank you once again Nichole I love them....
Ok I am going to bed soon so I will say goodnight for now... I will be back after work tomorrow....
Hugs to All,
Susan
Hey Susan! Me too! And indeed, a few years ago it was much easier to wrangle unruly animals. *L* My (big gulp) 30th anniversary in the field is August 17.
Edited because I posted stuff on the wrong thread. Not enough Diet Coke...
This message was edited Aug 13, 2008 10:05 PM
I've been *Lurking* here and you ladies are a hoot! I will get in on the soil discussion shortly but first I just have to say: OCD Girl: WOW! I love your puppies! Amazingly Beautiful! DH and I have not had a dog in years and I sure miss having a canine in the family! Hopefully someday in the not too distant future we will adopt another dog. Right now we are down to 4 cats and they are getting old so when we maybe get down to one or two felines we will add a dog to the family once again. Just don't think it would be fair right now. We love Shepherds! Your's on the far left of the picture looks so much like one my folks had years ago. He was a big boy, weighing @ 110 at his heaviest - and I don't remember him seeming overweight. We love Lab's too and Newfoundland's ... and I fell in love with English Mastiff's when my nephew got one a few years ago, beautiful dog but really large, over 200 lbs.
Hey Ya Miss SuzyQ, how are you? Still giving away the Plumie's huh? Mine are doing well, all were planted in the yard except one that is still in a pot. No blooms this year on any of them. Last year only one bloomed with a small dark burgundy flower that smelled really good! I really should get better at feeding, maybe I'd have more blooms!
I started using the Super Thrive for the first time this year. Can't really say I've seen much difference. I do soak cuttings for a few hours before potting them up, especially if they've traveled a long distance before I get them and it seems to perk them up. Supposedly it has lots of vitamins and nutrients so it sure can't hurt. I use the Eleanor's VF-11 too. Heard about it here after joining DG and I really like it ... just need to remember to use it more often. I have never foliar fed any gessies. Don't know why. I do all my other plants out on the deck and around the pool and in the yard, but it's easy to attach the hose end sprayer to the garden hose to foliar feed everything out there.
Ok ... soil, dirt, potting mix! I am not a pro at growing Gessie's like a lot of y'all. I can't find pro mix or the other one I've heard mentioned at any garden centers here in town. So, I just have my DH buy me the huge bags of Miracle Grow and for Gessie's I mix in lots of perlite. That's it. For every other house plant type plant I grow, it's MG potting mix, orchid bark and perlite. I haven't seen the lava rock for sale anywhere or I would mix it in too ... great for helping in drainage. I prefer a chunky, well draining mix for most plants. I do have to water every day in the summer unless we get a lot of rain (like now) but for me, it's better having a mix that drains quickly. I used to kill plants years ago with over-watering.
I have thought about buying some of the pro mix on line but I think for the amount I'd be wanting to buy and the weight, it would be astronomically expensive. I have had no problems with the MG/Perlite mixture I've used for years so I guess I will stick with it. I do think I would have nicer and prettier plants if I used a more quality soil. I have sometimes found pieces of wood and pebbles in MG bags.
Spider -- Actually I have to admit……….the name came from my DH. He said once as we were walking through the store that I had that disease……… you know, that COD he said…….when I saw African Violets in the store my eyes turned into Hannibal Lector. But that’s normal isn’t it?
Ooooh Spider…….you are so lucky to live close to the Atlanta BG. It was a great afternoon I bet. You made me start thinking about botanical gardens in my area…….nearest one is 90 miles and I’ve just never gone. Someday! When I have no chores to do in the garden……yeah, right!
Is Mrs. Strep on DG? I’ve met her at a AV convention once. Bought some really nice streps from her.
Sue - Always wanted to work for a Vet…..It must be fun. At least on the days you don’t come home bruised and beaten. I’ve always loved animals and did get to work for a couple of years at the zoo. I worked in the ‘petting zoo’ part. It was the best job I ever had in my life. Never a dull moment when you’re dealing with animals.
Celene – Is that what happened to the Kalanchoe? I left for a while and when I got back the post was gone. LOL I thought I was having one of those moments.
Lin – Thank you! Dem Dare Dogs is my life!!!! My DH is a merchant marine and is gone 50 days at a time……if I didn’t have my babies to keep me company………….. Which reminds me, he’s on his way home on Saturday and I may be scarce for a while, but I’ll be back!
That picture is an old one. The female in the middle, Brie, was only 9 months old then, she has a more ‘lady like’ sit now. She’s 18mo. now and we are hoping for puppies soon. Can’t wait. The two outside dogs are brothers from our last litter 5 years ago, Starr and Maxx. I love Shepherds, had them since I was 6 yrs. old. I love all dogs really, but I can’t imagine trying to feed a Newfie or Mastiff…………talk about the poor house!
On the Pro Mix BX. I was picking it up when I went to my AV meetings, 80 miles away. Went on the web and found the little farmers supply store here in my own little po-dunk town sells it. I was amazed. They are a Southern States supplier and carry a lot of unusual things. I asked the guy why he had so much of it, they had it piled to the ceiling, he said there were a lot of marijuana growers in the area and they all used it. WOW! See I told ya I lived in the middle of no-where USA.
Here’s the website for ProMix……you can call the distributors in your area to find out which retail stores sell it.
http://www.premierhort.com/eProMix/Horticulture/Products/GrowingMediumTM/ProMixBX/BXRegular/fProMixBX.htm
Southern States website with a zipcode search box at the top of the page. Not sure every store carries it so you might want to call ahead. If they don’t carry it they may be able to order it for you.
http://www.southernstates.com/sscinfo/sitefeatures.jsp
Gail -- How are you feeling? Better I hope. Does the heat affect the shingles much? Hope the cooler weather will help when it gets there. : )
I can't find the thread where I mentioned that I loved Rose a Sharon and wished I had one. Well.............I got two in the mail today of the prettiest, most healthy plants I have ever seen. At first I thought they were fake the leaves were so perfect.
What a fabulous gift and I will return the favor.......it couldn't have come at a better time as today has not been a good day for the shingle lady!!!
I may just have to post this great picture several places to be able to thank AV_OCD_Girl. That name just cracks me up.
Truly I am grateful Roxy!
gail
PS Brings back so many memories and my loved ones who have passed away as they always had at least one Rose of Sharon in their yards. I even remember the colors.
OH.........by the way................I missed the Super Thrive discussion. I use Super Thrive for everything. One drop to a gallon of water for all gessies and for any new plant startings.
gail