View Full Version : Container banana soil.
paulorph
02-11-2012, 12:15 PM
Just wondered if there is a thread on good homemade banana soil. I searched but could not find. If not why not start one here. Please post your recipies,
Paulo
sunfish
02-11-2012, 01:28 PM
http://www.bananas.org/f312/potting-soil-9521.html?highlight=soil
Info:Soil - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Info:Soil)
nullzero
02-13-2012, 06:33 PM
A good cheap mix that works good for me is;
5 parts pine bark (make sure its the smaller particles)
1 part peat moss
1 part perlite
a little compost
dash of lime
paulorph
02-13-2012, 07:49 PM
Thanks guys. Just wanted to see what people did to "homebrew" their soil. When I mean homebrew, it can be with a potting soil with your own special ingredients. Or totally from scratch. I do this with BBQ sauce myself lol. Thanks again,
Paulo
Gabe15
02-14-2012, 02:02 AM
I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.
For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:
1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir
nullzero
02-14-2012, 02:14 AM
I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.
For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:
1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir
I know what you mean, its better to use composted pine bark. However that nitrogen will become available again when it breaks down. I have not noticed any adverse effects using this mix on all my plants. I just compensate with fish emulsion fertilizer schedule and have been using kelp foliar sprays as well. Fruited bananas in containers with this mix, the mix works to counter the high PH water we have here in SoCal.
Island Brah
07-05-2016, 08:47 AM
I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.
For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:
1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir
Gabe15, you always have the most straight forward advice which does not leave me more confused lol. Thanks! I transplanted my first crop of Basjoo this year from a a friend's property. They are young and about 4-5 feet tall now. They just started to have pups of their own break through the soil and I was thinking about putting them indoor over the winter to maximize growth.
Questions:
Will this soil recipe work for indoor and outdoor potted bananas?
Will this soil recipe be best for all types of banana trees?
I have 0.5 - 0.5 - 0.5 Black Kow(composted manure), can I use this as the 1/3 compost you advised or do I need to use straight compost?
Do you recommend gravel or coarse sand at the bottom of the pot?
Do you have experience with palm and cactus mix?
Sorry for all the questions! Thanks!!
Snarkie
07-13-2016, 11:31 AM
I use dirt, ashes with a lot of charcoal still intact, sawdust and Stall-Dri to keep it easily drainable.
Alicia
07-19-2016, 01:13 AM
I have read a 'tea' made from chicken manure and wood ash is good.
With a good supply of rabbit 'leftovers' left to compost, a Great atteactant for earth worms, I use to top dress plants and re-pot various veggies and fruit trees.
Are eggshells bad for bananas?
Zombie Dave
11-05-2016, 06:03 PM
Is cow manure/w compost any good for these?
Zombie Dave
11-05-2016, 06:05 PM
http://www.bananas.org/f312/potting-soil-9521.html?highlight=soil
Info:Soil - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Info:Soil)
Reading this now.
eharriett
11-08-2016, 08:43 PM
To add to this: I wanted to throw in my 2 cents on fertilizer. The Going Bananas site has some 6-2-12 fertilizer that they won't ship, I had not been able to find it locally (in Ohio). I was FINALLY able to find some I could order from Stokes Tropicals. The stuff works great. Added it to my soil and my GM eats it up.
Island Brah
11-21-2016, 09:35 AM
Is cow manure/w compost any good for these?
1/3 perlite
1/3 composted cow manure
1/3 peat moss
This is what I use and mine LOVE it and pops a new leaf weekly.
Snarkie
11-21-2016, 09:52 AM
I have read a 'tea' made from chicken manure and wood ash is good.
With a good supply of rabbit 'leftovers' left to compost, a Great atteactant for earth worms, I use to top dress plants and re-pot various veggies and fruit trees.
Are eggshells bad for bananas?Egg shells are pretty much calcium sheets in a funny shape. It's no different than adding a little lime to the mix. Just dry them first and pulverize.
Bearskin10
02-02-2017, 03:57 PM
I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.
For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:
1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir
Just got my first 2 Banana plants (Gros Michel and Blue Java) from Green Earth today and used your soil mix will see how they do.....
Thanks Greg
Snarkie
02-02-2017, 04:50 PM
Hi Greg-
Why don't you post over in Member Introductions and tell us a little bit about yourself and how you found us. :)
CraigSS
02-03-2017, 08:38 AM
I know what you mean, its better to use composted pine bark. However that nitrogen will become available again when it breaks down. I have not noticed any adverse effects using this mix on all my plants. I just compensate with fish emulsion fertilizer schedule and have been using kelp foliar sprays as well. Fruited bananas in containers with this mix, the mix works to counter the high PH water we have here in SoCal.
NullZero
This is being used in a container indoors. Does not the fish emulsion become a bit stringent and might keep the owners at bay?:waving:
beam2050
02-03-2017, 09:14 AM
Just got my first 2 Banana plants (Gros Michel and Blue Java) from Green Earth today and used your soil mix will see how they do.....
Thanks Greg
what did the plants look like from green earth?
subsonicdrone
02-03-2017, 09:33 AM
my experience has been that it smells while you are watering but not the next time i go in there (fish emulsion)
Bearskin10
02-03-2017, 02:50 PM
what did the plants look like from green earth?
They were very nice plants packed well and in good health, I'll try to take some pics and see if I can figure out how to post them up.....
Bearskin10
02-03-2017, 03:25 PM
They were very nice plants packed well and in good health, I'll try to take some pics and see if I can figure out how to post them up.....
K lets see if this works....
Snarkie
02-03-2017, 04:59 PM
Seems to have! :goteam:
cincinnana
02-04-2017, 09:18 PM
.
Find your least expensive best way....
All the fellas previous posts to this ....post are extremely helpful and accurate...these fellas breath this stuff.....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/albums/72157659727243221
aruzinsky
02-24-2017, 10:17 AM
I am acting on the theory that a very fluffy, loose, potting mix is best because it will accommodate root expansion. I want the roots to not force the potting mix over the rim of the pot. Toward this end, I use a mix of approximately 1 part parboiled rice hulls, 2 parts peat moss and a small amount (by weight) of unmilled sphagnum moss. The sphagnum moss makes the mix very airy while increasing its water holding capacity.
For this mix, a fertilizer that contains calcium should be used because the mix contains no lime.
cincinnana
02-25-2017, 09:44 PM
I am acting on the theory that a very fluffy, loose, potting mix is best because it will accommodate root expansion. I want the roots to not force the potting mix over the rim of the pot. Toward this end, I use a mix of approximately 1 part parboiled rice hulls, 2 parts peat moss and a small amount (by weight) of unmilled sphagnum moss. The sphagnum moss makes the mix very airy while increasing its water holding capacity.
For this mix, a fertilizer that contains calcium should be used because the mix contains no lime.
A few of my grower associates use this amendment....they love it.
However the cost of the product is prohibitive to the backyard grower.
Kanana
12-25-2017, 07:56 PM
Anyone in Florida know where to find this parboiled rice hulls? I've tried all over the SW area and the farm or feed stores don'y carry it or cant even order it.
HMelendez
12-25-2017, 08:04 PM
Anyone in Florida know where to find this parboiled rice hulls? I've tried all over the SW area and the farm or feed stores don'y carry it or cant even order it.
Try this!......
https://www.groworganic.com/rice-hulls-50-lb-bag.html
Hopefully it helps!.....:2723::bananarow::2723:
aruzinsky
12-26-2017, 10:10 AM
Anyone in Florida know where to find this parboiled rice hulls? I've tried all over the SW area and the farm or feed stores don'y carry it or cant even order it.
These are a little cheaper and closer , but, shipping costs are about $25 per bag:
Rice Hulls Soil Amendment 50 lb - Seven Springs Farm Organic Farming & Gardening Supplies LLC (http://www.7springsfarm.com/rice-hulls-soil-amendment-50-lb/)
Kanana
12-26-2017, 05:27 PM
Yeah, I saw both of those already, but I want to avoid high shipping charges like that. Someone mentioned in a different thread these 50# bags should be around $8 from a feed store, and if it's local I'd pick it up to avoid shipping. Anyone have a local source in Florida available for picking up?
cincinnana
12-26-2017, 08:31 PM
and if it's local I'd pick it up to avoid shipping. Anyone have a local source in Florida available for picking up?
What is your location in Southwest Florida.?
Kanana
12-26-2017, 09:32 PM
What is your location in Southwest Florida.?
Sarasota FL. 34240
I see a lot of Florida people in here, but also notice those talking about parboiled rice hulls are not even in this state where I'm at, leading me to think these parboiled rice hulls are produced in an industry far away from Florida.
obdiah
12-26-2017, 09:41 PM
Sarasota FL. 34240
I see a lot of Florida people in here, but also notice those talking about parboiled rice hulls are not even in this state where I'm at, leading me to think these parboiled rice hulls are produced in an industry far away from Florida.
check with wholesale feed suppliers who grind there own feed most have acess to all kinds of products
might have some luck with these folks
Atlas Peat & Soil, Inc.
Boynton Beach, FL
561-734-7300
Professional Products - Sun Gro Horticulture (http://www.floridapottingsoils.com)
these folks might have it as a by product
Asia Grains Syndicate Co., Ltd
5847 South. West. 21st Street
West Park, FL 10120
(305) 761-9371
cincinnana
12-27-2017, 05:32 AM
Sarasota FL. 34240
I see a lot of Florida people in here, but also notice those talking about parboiled rice hulls are not even in this state where I'm at, leading me to think these parboiled rice hulls are produced in an industry far away from Florida.
I was pondering the same thing about where the heck do they make Canadian peat moss.
edwmax
12-27-2017, 10:18 AM
Sarasota FL. 34240
I see a lot of Florida people in here, but also notice those talking about parboiled rice hulls are not even in this state where I'm at, leading me to think these parboiled rice hulls are produced in an industry far away from Florida.
In Louisianan and may be a small corner of Texas. The same flooded field that crawfish are grown in. The rice hulls are a by-produce of milling so milling might be more Northern at the BIG mills.
I was pondering the same thing about where the heck do they make Canadian peat moss.
In Canada of course! Lumber, CANola oil, and Canadian Pete is about all they have; .... and a few very lovely Ladies.
cincinnana
12-27-2017, 05:50 PM
In Louisianan and may be a small corner of Texas. The same flooded field that crawfish are grown in. The rice hulls are a by-produce of milling so milling might be more Northern at the BIG mills
Just checked....Rice a Roni in San Francisco puts out truckloads of PBH....but still, you have the shipping costs......arg..
PBH is a niche item with the backyard gardener.......the ROi is not better than other alternatives.
However if you were a commercial grower and purchased by the semi load .....your good.
Locally, some growers will use it to use the organic/renewable resource labeling but for them it is worth it.
Me....it is a good alternative when I want to triple my costs filling 14 gal containers.
cincinnana
12-27-2017, 06:12 PM
In Canada of course! Limber, CANola oil, and Canadian Pete is about all they have; .... and a few very lovely Ladies.
I should have double quoted this....sorry. Hard to respond from a burner phone.
Limber....LOL.... an Urban Dictionary search clarified this. Do not believe everything you read..
I heard about the canola...
I have Texas Pete in the fridge but I really have to check out the Canadian Pete.
Wonder how it is with oysters?
And for the lovely ladies.......Justin Bieber is super hot.....love the tats and tude , tighty whitey's and the whole package.....
"grow it like you stole it"
edwmax
12-27-2017, 11:17 PM
I should have double quoted this....sorry. Hard to respond from a burner phone.
Limber....LOL.... an Urban Dictionary search clarified this. Do not believe everything you read..
I heard about the canola...
I have Texas Pete in the fridge but I really have to check out the Canadian Pete.
Wonder how it is with oysters?
And for the lovely ladies.......Justin Bieber is super hot.....love the tats and tude , tighty whitey's and the whole package.....
"grow it like you stole it"
haha ... stupid spell checker ... LOL
Try Crystal Hot sauce on the oysters! Much better. Crystal was the first.
aruzinsky
12-29-2017, 11:23 AM
Sarasota FL. 34240
I see a lot of Florida people in here, but also notice those talking about parboiled rice hulls are not even in this state where I'm at, leading me to think these parboiled rice hulls are produced in an industry far away from Florida.
Unlike Illinois, Florida still has commercial growers of potted tropical plants. The suppliers of these growers should have PBH. About 10 years ago, I bought PBG from a BFG Growers Supply outlet in Illinois before they closed operations in Illinois. Contact Riceland and ask for distributers in Florida:
Riceland Foods Inc/PBH
2510 Guara Dr
Cedar Park, TX 78613-1619
512-996-9807
Fax: 512-996-9830
scottpjohnson@riceland.com
Riceland Foods (http://www.riceland.com)
Incidentally, I don't know what would happen if the rice hulls weren't parboiled. Maybe, rice seedlings would germinate from rice in the hulls.
Kanana
12-29-2017, 11:34 AM
What about using straight up rice? I think I have seen 25# of white rice for cheap.
Kanana
12-29-2017, 11:50 AM
check with wholesale feed suppliers who grind there own feed most have acess to all kinds of products
might have some luck with these folks
Atlas Peat & Soil, Inc.
Boynton Beach, FL
561-734-7300
Professional Products - Sun Gro Horticulture (http://www.floridapottingsoils.com)
these folks might have it as a by product
Asia Grains Syndicate Co., Ltd
5847 South. West. 21st Street
West Park, FL 10120
(305) 761-9371
Called Atlas and they had no clue what parboiled rice hulls even were. She referred be to a place they sell to and he had no idea what it is. I called Riceland and left a message. I'll try calling the Asia grains but I don't have much expectation of them having it either.
This reminds me of trying to find ingedients for Al Tapla's 5:1:1 mix or the One with the Gritty Mix where you needed Gran - I - Grit crushed granite. Everyone I asked had no clue so I just gave up on that years ago.
beam2050
12-29-2017, 11:56 AM
for parboiled rice hulls have you tried beer making suppliers in florida? one company in new Smyrna fl. sells it by the 50 lb. bag:golfingbanana:
Kanana
12-29-2017, 12:06 PM
for parboiled rice hulls have you tried beer making suppliers in florida? one company in new Smyrna fl. sells it by the 50 lb. bag:golfingbanana:
Was it Southern Homebrew in New Smyrna FL? I just called them and they had no idea what parboiled was, but they do have regular rice hulls but only in 1# bags and they were like $1.25 a bag which isn't exactly cheap and New Smyrna is still a huge hop skip and a jump for a small quantity of over priced rice hulls. Any other suggestions? BTW they don't even sell it or cannot get 50# bags, so this is pretty much strike 3 here on the PBRH in Florida.
Kanana
12-29-2017, 12:15 PM
Called the Asia grains and left a message for them. This is becoming more of a headache than it's worth just like finding Gran-I-Grit in Florida was for the Gritty Mix.
beam2050
12-29-2017, 12:21 PM
Was it Southern Homebrew in New Smyrna FL? I just called them and they had no idea what parboiled was, but they do have regular rice hulls but only in 1# bags and they were like $1.25 a bag which isn't exactly cheap and New Smyrna is still a huge hop skip and a jump for a small quantity of over priced rice hulls. Any other suggestions? BTW they don't even sell it or cannot get 50# bags, so this is pretty much strike 3 here on the PBRH in Florida.
yes southern homebrew
adjunct grain rice hulls 50 lb bag
Kanana
12-29-2017, 12:27 PM
yes southern homebrew
adjunct grain rice hulls 50 lb bag
The woman I spoke to there had no idea what parboiled was (I had to explain it to her) and said they do not, nor can they even order 50# bags of even the regular rice hulls. They only sell 1# bags to make a better ROI for them as they are a retailer to micro breweries.
Kanana
12-29-2017, 12:30 PM
Unlike Illinois, Florida still has commercial growers of potted tropical plants. The suppliers of these growers should have PBH. About 10 years ago, I bought PBG from a BFG Growers Supply outlet in Illinois before they closed operations in Illinois. Contact Riceland and ask for distributers in Florida:
Riceland Foods Inc/PBH
2510 Guara Dr
Cedar Park, TX 78613-1619
512-996-9807
Fax: 512-996-9830
scottpjohnson@riceland.com
Riceland Foods (http://www.riceland.com)
Incidentally, I don't know what would happen if the rice hulls weren't parboiled. Maybe, rice seedlings would germinate from rice in the hulls.
Scott Johnson called me back but he's in Texas and has no suppliers or distributors in Florida. He still took my address down to see what freight delivery will be but I know it will be a joke like $100 or more as the minimum quantity is a pallet which is 16 50# bags which is over kill and he said it was $15-$16 a bag which is double what someone mentioned in a different thread about getting #50 of PBH for $8 at a feed store.
beam2050
12-29-2017, 12:30 PM
The woman I spoke to there had no idea what parboiled was (I had to explain it to her) and said they do not, nor can they even order 50# bags of even the regular rice hulls. They only sell 1# bags to make a better ROI for them as they are a retailer to micro breweries.
adjuncts is separated from the grain thru grinding. but its funny there site says they sell the 50 lb bag for a little less than 40 dollars.
Kanana
12-29-2017, 12:42 PM
I called that Sun Pro distributor listed earlier in the thread by Obediah, and that lady while nice and admitted they incorporate PBH in their mixes they do not sell it directly.
STRIKE 4
Kanana
12-29-2017, 12:46 PM
adjuncts is separated from the grain thru grinding. but its funny there site says they sell the 50 lb bag for a little less than 40 dollars.
Even if they did have it, $40 is WAY too expensive if these are normally $15-$20 for a #50 bag, and then either I'd have to drive to New Smyrna or have it shipped and then we're talking another $20 for gas or shipping. No deal.
cincinnana
12-29-2017, 06:37 PM
I find it odd that Floridas growers want amendments that are just like what you can find in your back yard.....or home depot....or walmart.
Miracle grow mix is fine for the novice backyard grower. Especially for tc'.
This mix is affordable and one of the best mix's for plants.
As for watering requirements of a young banans plant.....it is the same as a seedling tomatoe...or cannibis or beans. If you can relate to that ......your good.
Kanana
12-29-2017, 06:47 PM
I find it odd that Floridas growers want amendments that are just like what you can find in your back yard.....or home depot....or walmart.
Miracle grow mix is fine for the novice backyard grower. Especially for tc'.
This mix is affordable and one of the best mix's for plants.
As for watering requirements of a young banans plant.....it is the same as a seedling tomatoe...or cannibis or beans. If you can relate to that ......your good.
Not sure that's completely true about water requirements of bananas being the same as tomato seedlings. I can have a very wet soil for seedlings and they thrive. Heck I can grow tomatoes in 100% compost and they thrive and I can't say the same for bananas as it would retain too much water and cause rot.
As for miracle grow, I can't stand that stuff and I would never recommend their horrible products. If I have to buy a retail potting mix it is Pro Mix but I prefer to make my own as it is cheaper and I can tailor it to my own needs. Miracle Grow is CRAP!!!
cincinnana
12-29-2017, 07:02 PM
Not sure that's completely true about water requirements of bananas being the same as tomato seedlings. I can have a very wet soil for seedlings and they thrive. Heck I can grow tomatoes in 100% compost and they thrive and I can't say the same for bananas as it would retain too much water and cause rot.
As for miracle grow, I can't stand that stuff and I would never recommend their horrible products. If I have to buy a retail potting mix it is Pro Mix but I prefer to make my own as it is cheaper and I can tailor it to my own needs. Miracle Grow is CRAP!!!
Sorry , I thought you had a better understanding of basic gardening skills .
Tytaylor77
12-30-2017, 12:40 AM
My favorite is:
30% perlite
20% rice hulls
50% pine bark mix potting soil or any quality potting soil.
If not using the rice hulls or if the potting soil has a bad wetting agent then use 50% perlite! Perlite is my number 1 most important ingredient.
There are many many mixes that will work. Just as long as they are well draining you are good.
Kanana
12-30-2017, 09:11 AM
Sorry , I thought you had a better understanding of basic gardening skills .
Is that supposed to be an insult? Someone promoting Miracle Grow to someone that makes their own soil is a joke. Your remark should be directed at you as any serious grower would NEVER use Miracle Grow. It's been a joke for the last 30 years. I didn't think people other than total newbies would ever use that and then once they know what their doing they see the errors of their ways. Basically what I am saying is you should know better than to be using that crap, and yes it is CRAP.
aruzinsky
12-30-2017, 09:55 AM
Miracle grow mix is fine for the novice backyard grower. Especially for tc'.
As I recall, the ingredients list on MG potting mix says that it is made from locally obtained products, which means that the quality depends on where it is made. So, both you and Kanana can be right based on your experiences. But, shame on MG for poor quality control and pinching pennies with local ingredients.
As for watering requirements of a young banans plant.....it is the same as a seedling tomatoe...or cannibis or beans. If you can relate to that ......your good.
I agree.
obdiah
12-30-2017, 12:02 PM
if this dosent do it I give up not florida and may not be parboilled but the last chance I can come up with both list rice by products including hulls
Planters Rice Mill, LLC
403 S Washington St
Abbeville, LA 70510-6627
Phone: 337-898-3056
Fax: 337-893-1122
www.plantersllc.com
Supreme Rice, LLC
102 South 13th Street
Mermentau, LA 70556
Phone: 337-824-5558
Fax: 337-824-5170
Supreme Rice | Home (http://www.supremerice.com)
obdiah
12-30-2017, 12:10 PM
Is that supposed to be an insult? Someone promoting Miracle Grow to someone that makes their own soil is a joke. Your remark should be directed at you as any serious grower would NEVER use Miracle Grow. It's been a joke for the last 30 years. I didn't think people other than total newbies would ever use that and then once they know what their doing they see the errors of their ways. Basically what I am saying is you should know better than to be using that crap, and yes it is CRAP.
guess I am a newbie then I have used mg also used plain dirt , material from a 50 year old rotted down slab pile fresh cowermanure with sand and composted sawdust , composted cow crap sawdust and pearlite partally rotted sawdust . daddy petes potting soil to name a few and they grew fairly well in all of the above if fertlized properly and not over or under watered and of course lots of perlite in everything great stuff
Kanana
12-30-2017, 12:18 PM
This is the first site I got when googling Miracle Gro, Have fun reading the reviews. It validates what I said when I said Miracle Gro is CRAP and I wouldn't give it to my worst enemy even if my intention was to sabotage their growing operation, I couldn't be that cruel to stick them with this Miracle Gro garbage. Read the tons of reviews of their bags filled with gnats, ants, TERMITES!!!! Weird fungus, salt etc. etc. Stay AWAY from anything Miracle Gro. You have been warned!
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/miracle_gro.html
Kanana
12-30-2017, 01:04 PM
if this dosent do it I give up not florida and may not be parboilled but the last chance I can come up with both list rice by products including hulls
Planters Rice Mill, LLC
403 S Washington St
Abbeville, LA 70510-6627
Phone: 337-898-3056
Fax: 337-893-1122
www.plantersllc.com
Supreme Rice, LLC
102 South 13th Street
Mermentau, LA 70556
Phone: 337-824-5558
Fax: 337-824-5170
Supreme Rice | Home (http://www.supremerice.com)
Thanks for trying but I am done trying to find PBH. More important things to do with my time than beating a dead horse with dead ends every chance I get.
The one lead from Asian Rice that was listed earlier finally called me back. First they told me they get their grain from Thailand (STRIKE 1), and then that they're in Miami (4 hours + away from me so that's a no go - (STRIKE 2)) then that they only ship 800 50# bags minimum (STRIKE 3), then to find out it is parboiled rice, not rice hulls (STRIKE 4). Then to find out they still wanted $16 a bag for this (STRIKE 5). So much for PBH, but I am finished trying to find this proverbial needle in the haystack here in Florida.
aruzinsky
12-30-2017, 01:33 PM
Thanks for trying but I am done trying to find PBH. More important things to do with my time than beating a dead horse with dead ends every chance I get.
The one lead from Asian Rice that was listed earlier finally called me back. First they told me they get their grain from Thailand (STRIKE 1), and then that they're in Miami (4 hours + away from me so that's a no go - (STRIKE 2)) then that they only ship 800 50# bags minimum (STRIKE 3), then to find out it is parboiled rice, not rice hulls (STRIKE 4). Then to find out they still wanted $16 a bag for this (STRIKE 5). So much for PBH, but I am finished trying to find this proverbial needle in the haystack here in Florida.
At this stage, you don't even know whether you would like PBH, even if it was free. Your only reason for getting PBH should be to experiment with it, not to go into full scale production of potted plants. Towards that end, you should buy one 50 lb. bag for about $20 + $25 shipping. Then, if and when you determine what PBH is worth to you, you can look for better deals. Look at it this way, you spend $45 for first hand knowledge of PBH.
Kanana
12-30-2017, 02:01 PM
At this stage, you don't even know whether you would like PBH, even if it was free. Your only reason for getting PBH should be to experiment with it, not to go into full scale production of potted plants. Towards that end, you should buy one 50 lb. bag for about $20 + $25 shipping. Then, if and when you determine what PBH is worth to you, you can look for better deals. Look at it this way, you spend $45 for first hand knowledge of PBH.
Not worth it to me to have to jump through this many hoops just to even get this product in my hand. If perlite does 80% of what PBH does then I['m happy with that. A huge 4Cu Ft. bag for $14 will last me a year and I can find it at the larger Landscape Supply place near me.
Even if I tried it and liked it, then I'm back to square one and I'm not going through that again, my time is too valuable for that nonsense.
ps. if you had to go through this much detective work to find PBH where you lived, would you keep trying and failing Aruzinski?
Kanana
12-30-2017, 02:11 PM
These are a little cheaper and closer , but, shipping costs are about $25 per bag:
Rice Hulls Soil Amendment 50 lb - Seven Springs Farm Organic Farming & Gardening Supplies LLC (http://www.7springsfarm.com/rice-hulls-soil-amendment-50-lb/)
I thought that was extremely high to pay $25 for shipping which is morre than the product I'd be buying which is more than the $8 a bag I saw other people paying at feed stores listed in threads on this site, but then when I checked my zipcode for 1 bag of PBH the shipping is UPS and $59.82!!!!! Are you kidding me???? No way Jose!
cincinnana
12-30-2017, 06:57 PM
Is that supposed to be an insult? Someone promoting Miracle Grow to someone that makes their own soil is a joke. Your remark should be directed at you as any serious grower would NEVER use Miracle Grow. It's been a joke for the last 30 years. I didn't think people other than total newbies would ever use that and then once they know what their doing they see the errors of their ways. Basically what I am saying is you should know better than to be using that crap, and yes it is CRAP.
Lol..... Move on......Miracle grow is an awesome medium for growing plants for a backyard gardener.
A Pro like you should know.
.https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14466853172_3aa77d2c36.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o3opqY)
Miracle grow...... (https://flic.kr/p/o3opqY) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/
),
on Flickr
Really sorry you do not like it..
Kanana
12-30-2017, 08:04 PM
Lol..... Move on......Miracle grow is an awesome medium for growing plants for a backyard gardener.
Really sorry you do not like it..
Miracle Gro is awesome now? I can't tell if you are trolling or not.
Funny how you glossed over the link I left specifically for you to read in post #58. There are 170 reviews of MG soil products almost 99% are horrible reviews. Did you even read any of the reviews?
I started reading the reviews earlier and started from most recent review in Oct 2017, and I am back to the year 2014. From the amount of plant kills just from the soil used by experienced growers should be enough, but then there are the cases of a woman whose dog needed $4000 worth of vet bills due to the dog swallowing mulch that was mixed in the bag, people contacted poison oak and poison ivy from the bag and they live in non native areas of the US where there is no way it could be from anything else, to the sludge like consistency of some bags, the stick and smell of petro chemicals, a dirty hypodermic needle in the bag, broken glass, crushed metal fragments, rusty nails, bits of shredded plastic etc. etc.
I honestly can't believe there hasn't been a class action lawsuit against them after reading some of these reviews. What I really can't believe is someone on here that would actually promote this product.
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/miracle_gro.html
Do me a favor, and read the reviews cincinnatti, then come back on here for your thoughts.
aruzinsky
12-30-2017, 08:43 PM
I thought that was extremely high to pay $25 for shipping which is morre than the product I'd be buying which is more than the $8 a bag I saw other people paying at feed stores listed in threads on this site, but then when I checked my zipcode for 1 bag of PBH the shipping is UPS and $59.82!!!!! Are you kidding me???? No way Jose!
Sorry. Maybe, I dreamed paying $25 shipping.
Tytaylor77
12-31-2017, 01:12 AM
Around here in east/southeast Texas Earthgro potting soil by Scott’s is pure rice hulls with a wetting agent. And Scott’s Garden soil in the GREEN bag is also pure rice hulls. No wetting agent!
Walmart has both. Next time your there look around the ground below the bags. There is always some spilled. You will either see rice hulls or something else. It varies locally. I know in Washington state it does not contain any rice hulls. And in New York it does not contain any rice hulls! I’ve had friends report to me.
Next time your in a Walmart or any other garden center that sell Scott’s just look. It won’t take an extra 5mins.
On the MG. I will say last year (2016) i bought some yellow bags On clearance and wow i was amazed. Perfect composted pine bark and other bark. I loved it mixed with 50% perlite. This year (2017) i bought a couple bags and still have them! Total trash and a nasty wetting agent. So i can say it varies ALOT! Add enough perlite and you can fix anything lmao. If it works for you! Use it!
Kanana
12-31-2017, 09:14 AM
Around here in east/southeast Texas Earthgro potting soil by Scott’s is pure rice hulls with a wetting agent. And Scott’s Garden soil in the GREEN bag is also pure rice hulls. No wetting agent!
Walmart has both. Next time your there look around the ground below the bags. There is always some spilled. You will either see rice hulls or something else. It varies locally. I know in Washington state it does not contain any rice hulls. And in New York it does not contain any rice hulls! I’ve had friends report to me.
Next time your in a Walmart or any other garden center that sell Scott’s just look. It won’t take an extra 5mins.
On the MG. I will say last year (2016) i bought some yellow bags On clearance and wow i was amazed. Perfect composted pine bark and other bark. I loved it mixed with 50% perlite. This year (2017) i bought a couple bags and still have them! Total trash and a nasty wetting agent. So i can say it varies ALOT! Add enough perlite and you can fix anything lmao. If it works for you! Use it!
Thanks for the heads up but I'll definitely check. Seems weird though they would sell Garden Soil and it's 100% rice hulls. I would think people would be pissed expecting a nice dark black soil and when they open it up it is the brown rice hulls. Thanks again.
Kanana
12-31-2017, 09:28 AM
Around here in east/southeast Texas Earthgro potting soil by Scott’s is pure rice hulls with a wetting agent. And Scott’s Garden soil in the GREEN bag is also pure rice hulls. No wetting agent
Is this the same Earthgro bag ? I just googled it and am reading the reviews on Home Depot's site. Sounds like most of the reviewers could be reviewing Miracle Gro, which wouldn't be surprising as I thought Scott's owned Miracle Gro too. The last review I read was someone from Texas like yourself and they said the bag was 100% clay@! Others said it was basically sand and stick, or sand and wood chips. I know I've tried it as fill dirt before and wasn't impressed not sure if I bought it at Home Depot, Lowes or Wamart but I know it wasn't rice hulls. I will check again today though. I'll even find an open bag to take some pictures.
EDIT: I read reviews of the Earthgro bag on Walmart's site. I saw this picture posted there:
https://walmart.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/1336/137150/photo.jpg?client=walmart
The person said the grass that was growing in the sealed bag was 5 inches. This refreshed my memory of when I had recently used it a few months ago. I had a few of these bags at one of my jobs, and I just needed to fill the soil level in 2 large pots. When I opened the bag it was like they mentioned where there was almost all roots and grass like I bought a chunk of sod. I was laughing actually and pretty shocked but since it was cheap soil and I was just using it for fill I didn't freak out. I just turned the grass upside down and buried it and it was fine but the soil itself was like mostly sand and sticky with clay. Not the loamy type of soil you expect when you get potting mix, this stuff was almost like concrete mix.
aruzinsky
12-31-2017, 09:52 AM
Around here in east/southeast Texas Earthgro potting soil by Scott’s is pure rice hulls with a wetting agent. And Scott’s Garden soil in the GREEN bag is also pure rice hulls. No wetting agent!
Walmart has both. Next time your there look around the ground below the bags. There is always some spilled. You will either see rice hulls or something else. It varies locally. I know in Washington state it does not contain any rice hulls. And in New York it does not contain any rice hulls! I’ve had friends report to me.
Next time your in a Walmart or any other garden center that sell Scott’s just look. It won’t take an extra 5mins.
On the MG. I will say last year (2016) i bought some yellow bags On clearance and wow i was amazed. Perfect composted pine bark and other bark. I loved it mixed with 50% perlite. This year (2017) i bought a couple bags and still have them! Total trash and a nasty wetting agent. So i can say it varies ALOT! Add enough perlite and you can fix anything lmao. If it works for you! Use it!
From https://www.walmart.com/ip/Earthgro-Potting-Soil/16904048 :
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ingredients: This Product is Regionally Formulated from Organic Materials (Including One or More of the Following: Hypnum Peat, Forest Products or Compost) Sand, and Perlite. In California This Product is Regionally Formulated from Forest Products, Compost, Sand, and Perlite. In Georgia This Product is Regionally Formulated to Contain (77-87%) Aged Pine Bark, Sand, and Perlite. In Texas This Product is Regionally Formulated to Contain Aged Pine Bark, Sand, and Perlite.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I said before for MG, the quality depends upon where it is manufactured.
Kanana
12-31-2017, 10:55 AM
From https://www.walmart.com/ip/Earthgro-Potting-Soil/16904048 :
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ingredients: This Product is Regionally Formulated from Organic Materials (Including One or More of the Following: Hypnum Peat, Forest Products or Compost) Sand, and Perlite. In California This Product is Regionally Formulated from Forest Products, Compost, Sand, and Perlite. In Georgia This Product is Regionally Formulated to Contain (77-87%) Aged Pine Bark, Sand, and Perlite. In Texas This Product is Regionally Formulated to Contain Aged Pine Bark, Sand, and Perlite.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I said before for MG, the quality depends upon where it is manufactured.
And that's weird as it doesn't say rice hulls in the Texas location where Ty is located who said the Earthgro is 100% rice hulls and the Green Scotts Garden soil is 100% rice hulls minus the wetting agents. From what Ty described, it sounded like it contained no aged pine bark, sand or perlite. Strange.
cincinnana
01-02-2018, 07:17 PM
Mychorrizea...
There are a few good threads.....
to boost your soilles mix....no matter what soiless mix you choose.
Great for small immature plants and banana Tc's
:woohoonaner:
cincinnana
01-06-2018, 09:58 PM
Another mix for new members as well as established members
is a mix called Al's gritty mix.
This is a great starter mix and an accecptable transition mix for your better plants.
Toss in some mycorrhizae and this is a sweet soil for your small high value water stingy plants .
This mix is fast and well draining leaving great moisture retention for small roots.
I will say again......purchase and use what you can afford in your plantings.....then your gardening skills take over.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/338/18370620883_06a81bbd17.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tZmeyP)
Al's gritty mix with charcoal (https://flic.kr/p/tZmeyP)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
aruzinsky
01-07-2018, 12:17 PM
Another mix for new members as well as established members
is a mix called Al's gritty mix.
This is a great starter mix and an accecptable transition mix for your better plants.
Toss in some mycorrhizae and this is a sweet soil for your small high value water stingy plants .
This mix is fast and well draining leaving great moisture retention for small roots.
I will say again......purchase and use what you can afford in your plantings.....then your gardening skills take over.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/338/18370620883_06a81bbd17.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tZmeyP)
Al's gritty mix with charcoal (https://flic.kr/p/tZmeyP)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
Don't you have problems with expanding banana roots pushing gritty mix over the top of the pot?
Kanana
01-07-2018, 12:45 PM
Don't you have problems with expanding banana roots pushing gritty mix over the top of the pot?
Also as I said earlier in this thread, the ingredients for Al Tapla's Gritty mix is equally frustrating to find as the parboiled rice hulls are. I still never found crushed granite unless I wanted a whole semi delivering it from North Carolina to my house in Florida. I went so far one time to call a granite quarry in North Carolina and they said they don't deliver anything south of Georgia and that I was SOL.
obdiah
01-07-2018, 02:36 PM
Also as I said earlier in this thread, the ingredients for Al Tapla's Gritty mix is equally frustrating to find as the parboiled rice hulls are. I still never found crushed granite unless I wanted a whole semi delivering it from North Carolina to my house in Florida. I went so far one time to call a granite quarry in North Carolina and they said they don't deliver anything south of Georgia and that I was SOL.
i will trade you a load of crushed granite for a month of warm weather ( above 32)
seriously crushed granite is just a type of man made coarse sand sub most any coarse sand in the mix
Kanana
01-07-2018, 05:17 PM
i will trade you a load of crushed granite for a month of warm weather ( above 32)
seriously crushed granite is just a type of man made coarse sand sub most any coarse sand in the mix
Even finding course enough sand, I had to drive to Haines City to get mesh #14 IIRC was the preferred size for Tapla's Gritty Mix, and thats 4 hour drive roundtrip. After all said and done, it didn't work for me for peppers or tomatos as it was way too dry and I'd have to water my plants in full sun 2-3 times a day. Like I said nothing is ever as easy as just driving to HD or Walmart. I envy you northern people for this very reason.
One more thing I recall jumping through hoops to no avail was trying to get cocoa hulls which supposedly made a great mulch that stayed dark brown and had a high nitrogen content and was a natural bio degradable product that was from chocolate processing the cocoa bean at Hershey Pennsylvania. Good luck getting that in Florida without exorbitant shipping.
I would add Azomite to the list but somehow I got free shipping through Amazon when I ordered a year ago so I ordered 5 44# bags at the time in case they stopped carrying it.
cincinnana
01-07-2018, 07:25 PM
Don't you have problems with expanding banana roots pushing gritty mix over the top of the pot?
No sir.
The soil level is 1-3 inches below the rim of the container.
The mix is pretty loose.
pine bark ,peat, charcoal and perlite hold the moisture.
The chicken grit adds the separation as well as the perlite.
Add an organic fertilizer such as Espoma Tomato tone ....And I am good.
Today I repotted some orchids with a fresh mix, roots were looking fine.
I also use it for Bonsai.
I have started and grown plants to 3gal size in this mix....
After that, weight when wet becomes an issue, then I move to another weightless mix.
For me it is a better fit than sand for the diverse plants I grow.
However, the largest plants I have seen have been grown in coastal Florida sand.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/295/18801577619_f6a77fa150.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/uDqZZn)
New plants from California. (https://flic.kr/p/uDqZZn) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
cincinnana
01-07-2018, 08:31 PM
Also as I said earlier in this thread, the ingredients for Al Tapla's Gritty mix is equally frustrating to find as the parboiled rice hulls are. I still never found crushed granite unless I wanted a whole semi delivering it from North Carolina to my house in Florida. I went so far one time to call a granite quarry in North Carolina and they said they don't deliver anything south of Georgia and that I was SOL.
Alternates which work for the grit ingredient are.
Napa oil dry part #8822 (https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/napa-oil-dry-part-no-8822.20908/)
At Napa auto stores
Stall dry (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/stall-dry-absorbent-deodorizer)
I have not used Stall dry but a few forum members say it is a good product.
Cherrystone grit (https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/cherry-stone-2-poultry-grit-50-lb-/0000000096432)
Cherrystone quartz chicken grit is usually carried by many farm type stores like Tractor Supply,Southern States.
My last bag was a 40# Cherrystone quartz chicken grit.
Any chicken grit will cockadoodle do.:ha:
obdiah
01-07-2018, 11:15 PM
Alternates which work for the grit ingredient are.
Napa oil dry part #8822 (https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/napa-oil-dry-part-no-8822.20908/)
At Napa auto stores
Stall dry (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/stall-dry-absorbent-deodorizer)
I have not used Stall dry but a few forum members say it is a good product.
Cherrystone grit (https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/cherry-stone-2-poultry-grit-50-lb-/0000000096432)
Cherrystone quartz chicken grit is usually carried by many farm type stores like Tractor Supply,Southern States.
My last bag was a 40# Cherrystone quartz chicken grit.
Any chicken grit will cockadoodle do.:ha:
how about sand blasting sand in a coarse grade its silica aka qartz
I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.
For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:
1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir
Yah, that's the same problem with orchids in bark; we need to give it a fertilizer with extra nitrogen. I would never even consider bark with 'nanners. Have you ever tried a banana in semi-hydro?
cincinnana
01-09-2018, 06:57 PM
Yah, that's the same problem with orchids in bark; we need to give it a fertilizer with extra nitrogen. I would never even consider bark with 'nanners. Have you ever tried a banana in semi-hydro?
Semi hydro ......OOPs do not know what you mean.
For me "bark in plants" is a common soil amendment locally which works across the board with many plants.
Not only does my soilless mix have to grow the plant in the summer but it also has to hold the plant over the winter.
I have noticed folks have many great ways to grow their plants..
And it differs more so geographically.
Me ...in zone 5/6..need the amendments to sustain my plants...
cincinnana
01-09-2018, 07:08 PM
how about sand blasting sand in a coarse grade its silica aka qartz
Unfortunately the size of this substrate is too small.....however it might be a expensive alternative to the sand phenom which has infiltrated the ranks.
Semi hydro ......OOPs do not know what you mean.
...
Semi-hydro is a method where the bananas are grown in a liquid nutrient solution similar to what the hydroponic growers would use, but with semi-hydro you add clay pellets to support the plant in the container, but which will still allow the nutrients to circulate around the roots. Since a banana has a lot of weight to support above the growing media, I think semi-hydro would work where plain hydroponic growing would not.
I think some of the growers here may have done that a while ago, but you would have to search for the thread.
PR-Giants
01-13-2018, 11:02 AM
That's my favorite method, never knew the term was semi-hydro. Thanks guY. :08:
I use Clean Coarse Sand instead of clay pellets.
Bark is fine but I prefer using a log because it lasts a little longer. :ha:
Those little round nuggets are milli-turds.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56405 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56405)
Semi-hydro is a method where the bananas are grown in a liquid nutrient solution similar to what the hydroponic growers would use, but with semi-hydro you add clay pellets to support the plant in the container, but which will still allow the nutrients to circulate around the roots. Since a banana has a lot of weight to support above the growing media, I think semi-hydro would work where plain hydroponic growing would not.
I think some of the growers here may have done that a while ago, but you would have to search for the thread.
Mark Dragt
01-13-2018, 02:23 PM
Semi-hydro is a method where the bananas are grown in a liquid nutrient solution similar to what the hydroponic growers would use, but with semi-hydro you add clay pellets to support the plant in the container, but which will still allow the nutrients to circulate around the roots. Since a banana has a lot of weight to support above the growing media, I think semi-hydro would work where plain hydroponic growing would not.
I think some of the growers here may have done that a while ago, but you would have to search for the thread.
I have a system similar to that. I have a Dwarf Orinoco growing in a 28 gallon container filled with clean corse sand. It's a flood and drain system with a bell siphon on one end. Nutrients come from my 720 gallons of fish ponds with 3 different types of goldfish. Dwarf Orinoco should bloom this spring.
cincinnana
01-13-2018, 09:12 PM
Semi-hydro is a method where the bananas are grown in a liquid nutrient solution similar to what the hydroponic growers would use, but with semi-hydro you add clay pellets to support the plant in the container, but which will still allow the nutrients to circulate around the roots. Since a banana has a lot of weight to support above the growing media, I think semi-hydro would work where plain hydroponic growing would not.
I think some of the growers here may have done that a while ago, but you would have to search for the thread.
I am using those now on a hydro dwarf cav.
They give acceptable results.
Hydroton (https://university.upstartfarmers.com/blog/pros-cons-hydroton-hydroponics) balls.
http://www.bananas.org/309936-post35.html
PR-Giants
01-21-2018, 07:54 AM
I am using those now on a hydro dwarf cav.
They give acceptable results.
Hydroton (https://university.upstartfarmers.com/blog/pros-cons-hydroton-hydroponics) balls.
http://www.bananas.org/309936-post35.html
An undersized system can produce,
a bud with no fingers,
a bud with only male fingers,
a bud with female fingers that never fill,
and sometimes no bud at all.
:waving:
Having a properly sized system give acceptable results.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52819 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52819)
cincinnana
01-21-2018, 08:17 AM
An undersized system can produce,
a bud with no fingers,
a bud with only male fingers,
a bud with female fingers that never fill,
and sometimes no bud at all.
:waving:
Having a properly sized system give acceptable results.
]
Yes I know :)
I do not have the resources to grow out a mature hydro banana plant.
Banana Kush has better ROI for a closet 5 gallon set up.
It is fun to watch though.
Nice bunches btw
PR-Giants
01-21-2018, 08:22 AM
It's information to help members that do have the resources.
:waving:
Yes I know :)
I do not have the resources to grow out a mature hydro banana plant.
Banana Kush has better ROI for a closet 5 gallon set up.
It is fun to watch though.
Nice bunches btw
Mark Anthony Phair
01-26-2018, 11:03 PM
I have read a 'tea' made from chicken manure and wood ash is good.
With a good supply of rabbit 'leftovers' left to compost, a Great atteactant for earth worms, I use to top dress plants and re-pot various veggies and fruit trees.
Are eggshells bad for bananas?
Hello there!
Eggshells are fantastic for most all plants as they contain the obvious calcium, but also add sulfides and albimum (spelling?). Can't overdue the eggshells, but crush them as fine as possible as that makes the shell particles small enough to deteriorate faster and thus become available nutrients. Don't have to crush too small, as they will last several seasons in your soil.
Best of luck!
Gone Bananas!
Mark Anthony Phair
Mark Anthony Phair
01-26-2018, 11:21 PM
Is cow manure/w compost any good for these?
Cow manure (as opposed to Steer Manure) is excellent along with compost, peat moss, perlite. Just make sure that the plants have good drainage and don't sit in water.
Best of Luck!
Gone Bananas!
Mark Anthony Phair
An undersized system can produce,
...
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52819 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52819)
That's a nice bunch o' nanners!
cincinnana
01-27-2018, 08:23 PM
It's information to help members that do have the resources.
:waving:
If you can please post a photo of the whole plant growing in your system.
A shot of the bunch on a tailgate is somewhat misleading...
It is just a shot of a bunch of bananas on a tailgate.
The photo does not show container, plant, and bunch in a single frame.
Your system sounds awesome....show the forum more photos in the hydroponic thread.
And if you can post your photos in the hydroponic thread where forum members will enrich themselves .
:waving:
PR-Giants
01-28-2018, 09:58 AM
This is one of 14 Variegated Florida we planted in an 832 yesterday and 13 more will be done today, an 832 holds 3 rows of 9 plants.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52654 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52654)
These pots are made with prefabricated supports and a liner. The parts are not connected and can be moved or reconfigured into many other sizes.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57087 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57087)
If you can please post a photo of the whole plant growing in your system.
A shot of the bunch on a tailgate is somewhat misleading...
It is just a shot of a bunch of bananas on a tailgate.
The photo does not show container, plant, and bunch in a single frame.
Your system sounds awesome....show the forum more photos in the hydroponic thread.
And if you can post your photos in the hydroponic thread where forum members will enrich themselves .
:waving:
cincinnana
01-31-2018, 10:21 PM
Works very well...
Feel free to ask questions
http://www.bananas.org/f311/best-potting-mix-containers-47492.html#post311240
cincinnana
02-14-2018, 09:42 PM
For the container/backyard grower you want your roots to look like this when you repot your plant.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/14815779278/in/album-72157659727243221/" title="Healthy roots"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/14815779278_93bdc95219.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Healthy roots"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Mark Dragt
02-16-2018, 12:12 PM
Some container bananas have no soil at all.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=62837&size=1
Just 28 gallons of clean corse sand.
Picture taken April 26 2017.
Mark Dragt
02-16-2018, 02:02 PM
Not trying to steal the thread, but i thought you might like to see how it did since planting last April. This picture is from today.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=62839&size=1
Winter slowed it way down. you can see on the leaves it has the winter blues. Same Dwarf Orinoco. Same 28 gallon 1/2 barrel. Same clean corse sand but not as clean. Lots of fish waste gets filtered out in the sand. when i have time i will post more pictures in the hydro thread.
PR-Giants
02-17-2018, 01:44 PM
Cool post....do not worry you did not steal the thread...or best growing techniqe.
The three stooges that thanked your post are alittle off.
Forum members that have switched to sand are now paying the price of poor plant growth....just wait.
It's probably a waste of time replying to this knucklehead, but maybe this real world experience will be beneficial to some of our other members.
The USDA Tropical Research Station had a decade of difficulties growing their Manini/A'ea'e and if you go to their website and look under 'Curator notes' you'll see this quote
“Stable chimera; beautiful variegated plant; difficult to grow; does not produce bunch often;"
The USDA has always been impressed with the huge bunches I harvest and after they lost their stock they came to me asking for new plants.
I found it difficult to believe that a research station filled with highly educated banana scientists would have difficulties growing this banana.
Obviously whatever they were doing wasn't working. I advised them that it probably had to do with soil aeration and that they should plant this in clean coarse sand using heavy top mulch to help retain moisture. At the time they were skeptical but they did it anyway. A few months later they got back to me saying how great their plant was growing and no more problems.
This is very basic banana growing, no magic needed.
This is a photo of the actual Manini plant that was sent to the USDA.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50787 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50787)
PR-Giants
02-18-2018, 09:01 PM
Feel free to ask questions
Why did you erase your post? :waving:
Cool post....do not worry you did not steal the thread...or best growing techniqe.
The three stooges that thanked your post are alittle off.
Forum members that have switched to sand are now paying the price of poor plant growth....just wait.
cincinnana
02-21-2018, 10:58 PM
Why did you erase your post? :waving:
This is a thread about container banana soil...
Please keep it that way.
PR-Giants
02-22-2018, 01:42 PM
Show the forum the whole hydroponic set up...?:
Here is a pot, that when finished will be several miles long. :waving:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51634 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=51634)
cincinnana
02-23-2018, 10:11 PM
It's probably a waste of time replying to this knucklehead, but maybe this real world experience will be beneficial to some of our other members.
I love your flaming posts... they are really not needed.
It is a shame the forum members allow it and approve of it.
And for the members that thank these type of disrepecetful posts, I extend an invitation to visit my garden as well.
I wish you lived closer so you could see the wonderful things we are doing locally with banana plants and see the many professionally maintained plantings that we care for with plants purchased from you.
We have purchased plants from you in the past ....yet you still attack your paying customers........That is a Knucklehead.
Snarkie
02-24-2018, 11:58 AM
Mike-
FWIW, there will always be discord among some members. It just happens. I have issues from time to time with Richard. It just happens.
Both you and PR Giants are respected experts in your fields. Sometimes this generates "sides" like some kind of stupid football league. On that note, we are not competitors; read that, Folks. Stop picking your favorite poster and start thanking the facts; the stuff that we really need to make this site work. That is why I came here. For info; not infighting.
So the question remains: Why in the hell can't we all get along?
PR-Giants
02-24-2018, 01:13 PM
It's great that you love flaming posts.
That post is not flaming.
And yes knucklehead was a reasonable response to you calling the members that thanked Mark's post "The three stooges".
The three stooges that thanked your post
Mark is one of the forum's leading northern experts, who currently has many bunches of bananas hanging on his plantation near the Canadian border.
Now stop your lying and crying. :waving:
You have never purchased plants from us.
The moderator has warned you many times about your lying and it's disappointing that this is so common on today's internet.
I love your flaming posts.
...with plants purchased from you.
We have purchased plants from you in the past
PR-Giants
02-24-2018, 01:21 PM
On one post you are trolling.
On the next post you want to keep it about container banana soil.
Then your posts are back to trolling, crying, and lying
I don't want to waste time replying to your nonsense, so knock it off.
This is a thread about container banana soil...
Please keep it that way.
PR-Giants
02-24-2018, 01:30 PM
Our members are not interested with your drama.
You have been trolling in our community for 6 years now and most members are well aware of your behavior.
The moderator has banned you many times for this.
Feel free to ask questions
OK, here's an easy question.
Why do you spend your nights writing thousands of these nonsense posts only to delete them a few seconds later.
It's pathetic that you don't have something more productive to do with your evenings.
This is what I use in containers, I get it at Menards for around $8 a 2cu ft bag. Seems to work well, I don't suggest any moisture control soils.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=62846&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=62846)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=62847&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=62847)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=62848&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=62848)
aruzinsky
02-24-2018, 01:55 PM
Our members are not interested with your drama.
...
I like the drama. And, I always side against the person who pretends to speak for others.
aruzinsky
02-24-2018, 02:09 PM
...
The moderator has warned you many times about your lying and it's disappointing that this is so common on today's internet.
...
The user agreement does not prohibit lying:
Bananas.org Rules (http://www.bananas.org/rules.php)
It is common practice for internet social media to ignore lying and that is why Russian Bots were successful.
PR-Giants
02-24-2018, 02:10 PM
Interesting that you like the drama, but I get messages from many member that don't and that includes the moderators. Most of us are busy and don't have time for this BS.
I like the drama. And, I always side against the person who pretends to speak for others.
aruzinsky
02-24-2018, 02:27 PM
Interesting that you like the drama, but I get messages from many member that don't and that includes the moderators. Most of us are busy and don't have time for this BS.
So, "our members" magically becomes "many member." If by "messages," you mean private messages, I am too busy for that BS.
PR-Giants
02-24-2018, 03:17 PM
Feel free to ask questions
OK, here's another question.
You seemed to put a lot of effort into this post just to get it perfect.
But why did you delete it a few seconds after posting?
Thanks for the good info.....KTF
Sand works in a certain environments ......as your previous post explain.
During the grow season a grower will not have a challenge with a high sand mix... but in a dormant phase is this the best mix to use?
A plant in sand during the grow season ...is a lot different than a plant in the winter after 7 months....
Photo taken today......Awesome cold Ohio weather..
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1624/26336277325_609e8bb3e0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G8fiGZ)
Sand as a miracle amendment.... (https://flic.kr/p/G8fiGZ)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1641/26063403050_6f1ddcb2df_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FH8KG7)
Sand as a miracle amendment.... (https://flic.kr/p/FH8KG7)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
PR-Giants
02-24-2018, 03:22 PM
Feel free to ask questions
OK, here's another question.
You seemed to put a lot of effort into this post just to get it perfect.
But why did you delete it a few seconds after posting?
Thanks for the good info.....KTF
For me it does not matter what source you quote....from a zone 13+ your opinion is silly as you have said ..in previous posts about other folks opinions...
Sand works in a certain environments ......as your previous post explain.
During the grow season a grower will not have a challenge with a high sand mix... but in a dormant phase is this the best mix to use?
A plant in sand during the grow season ...is a lot different than a plant in the winter after 7 months....
Photo taken today......Awesome cold Ohio weather..
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1624/26336277325_609e8bb3e0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G8fiGZ)
Sand as a miracle amendment.... (https://flic.kr/p/G8fiGZ)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1641/26063403050_6f1ddcb2df_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FH8KG7)
Sand as a miracle amendment.... (https://flic.kr/p/FH8KG7)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
PR-Giants
02-24-2018, 03:25 PM
Feel free to ask questions
OK, here's another question.
You seemed to put a lot of effort into this post just to get it perfect.
But why did you delete it a few seconds after posting?
Thanks for the good info.....KTF
For me it does not matter what source you quote....from a zone 13+ your opinion is silly as you have said ..in previous posts about other folks opinions...
SO why DO you BAIT your posts so you may refute them???
Sand works in a certain environments ......as your previous post explain.
During the grow season a grower will not have a challenge with a high sand mix... but in a dormant phase is this the best mix to use?
A plant in sand during the grow season ...is a lot different than a plant in the winter after 7 months....
Photo taken today......Awesome cold Ohio weather..
SO why DO you BAIT your posts so you may refute them???
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1624/26336277325_609e8bb3e0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G8fiGZ)
Sand as a miracle amendment.... (https://flic.kr/p/G8fiGZ)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1641/26063403050_6f1ddcb2df_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FH8KG7)
Sand as a miracle amendment.... (https://flic.kr/p/FH8KG7)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
Tytaylor77
02-24-2018, 08:12 PM
Intentionally posting the same message 3 times is spam. One at 8:17 next at 8:22 next at 8:25. That is no accident! I bet that is in the rules! People like me that get notifications don’t need the wasted emails.
Nobody here wants to read spam and rants and provoking comments. Every time it’s the same. You carefully provoke someone into a fight. It seems 100% of every fights and problems on here has PR-Giants as one of the sides!
KNOCK IT OFF. EVERYONE. PLEASE!!
This an educational forum and this thread is on CONTAINER SOIL! I may be wrong, but I assume the OP is talking about a “pot” not a 10 mile long bed! Please give clear and helping advice or DONT POST!
If you wanna fight and call names go PM each other!
obdiah
02-27-2018, 09:06 AM
Intentionally posting the same message 3 times is spam. One at 8:17 next at 8:22 next at 8:25. That is no accident! I bet that is in the rules! People like me that get notifications don’t need the wasted emails.
Nobody here wants to read spam and rants and provoking comments. Every time it’s the same. You carefully provoke someone into a fight. It seems 100% of every fights and problems on here has PR-Giants as one of the sides!
KNOCK IT OFF. EVERYONE. PLEASE!!
This an educational forum and this thread is on CONTAINER SOIL! I may be wrong, but I assume the OP is talking about a “pot” not a 10 mile long bed! Please give clear and helping advice or DONT POST!
If you wanna fight and call names go PM each other!
AMEN
perhaps we could create a toilet category for people who enjoy crap
cincinnana
03-10-2018, 08:17 PM
Just wondered if there is a thread on good homemade banana soil. I searched but could not find. If not why not start one here. Please post your recipies,
Paulo
Yes ....there is...
However there are many recipes for success...
The cool part is that the internet has many, many great recipes for soil less mix's
For me...I pick and choose what is least expensive......yup I sale shop...
Tytaylor77
03-10-2018, 11:21 PM
Usually if you use 2 base ingredients (Perlite and Peat Moss) your mix will work! Just not too much peat! For every % or peat add double that amount of perlite! If you follow that rule it will turn out great!
Here is my absolute favorite!
25% peat x 50% perlite x 25% rice hulls!
25% peat x 50% perlite x 25% composted manure. (Bag or off the farm)
Other one if you don’t have rice hulls or composted manure.
25% peat x 50% perlite x 25% composted bark (I prefer pine)
Perlite will make any soil light, fluffy, airy, and well draining. It is all natural!! It’s not styrofoam! It’s popped volcanic material. Popped like popcorn! If you grow bananas long you will learn that bananas LOVE perlite!
I NEVER use sand in a mix! It will make your pot crazy heavy! It makes it very hard to water and while in sand the plant will have no nutrients! When you transplant, it will break apart your rootball ans roota! This will set your plant back by 2 weeks +! I use coarse sand to root corms when I need to. I also grow in sand! Native sand in ground! But I never use sand in a pot!
cincinnana
03-11-2018, 07:52 AM
Usually if you use 2 base ingredients (Perlite and Peat Moss) your mix will work! Just not too much peat! For every % or peat add double that amount of perlite! If you follow that rule it will turn out great!
Here is my absolute favorite!
25% peat x 50% perlite x 25% rice hulls!
25% peat x 50% perlite x 25% composted manure. (Bag or off the farm)
Other one if you don’t have rice hulls or composted manure.
25% peat x 50% perlite x 25% composted bark (I prefer pine)
Perlite will make any soil light, fluffy, airy, and well draining. It is all natural!! It’s not styrofoam! It’s popped volcanic material. Popped like popcorn! If you grow bananas long you will learn that bananas LOVE perlite!
I NEVER use sand in a mix! It will make your pot crazy heavy! It makes it very hard to water and while in sand the plant will have no nutrients! When you transplant, it will break apart your rootball ans roota! This will set your plant back by 2 weeks +! I use coarse sand to root corms when I need to. I also grow in sand! Native sand in ground! But I never use sand in a pot!
That is an awesome mix.
Rice hulls...nowhere to be found for me, bark fines however is another story.
I must add that a few forum members whom had switched to a container sand mix a few years ago are having a fit keeping their plants healthy over the winter months indoors.
But when their plants are in the ground the plants are beasts.
There is an Okie member that tilled in a few tons of sand in an island garden feature and his bananas are remarkable.
edwmax
03-11-2018, 11:16 AM
This is what I use in containers, I get it at Menards for around $8 a 2cu ft bag. Seems to work well, I don't suggest any moisture control soils.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=62846&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=62846)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=62847&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=62847)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=62848&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=62848)
Haha ... This is what I started using last fall.
http://caironet.com/banana/BarkMix%2D03112018%2Ejpg
1 cu yard about 1200lb to 1400lb (??) bags: Bedding/potting mix (left) and course (Banana) Mix (right) I just got the Bedding mix last week. ... These are 80% pine park; 10% peat; 10% sand without fertilizer. They cost $30 & $25 per yard. So I'll let you do the math, but compared to retail store prices between $100 to $150 per 27 (1 cy ft) bags.
This is what the mixes look like.
http://caironet.com/banana/BarkMixs%2DPotting%2DBanana%2Ejpg
Bedding/potting on left and 'banana mix on right. I just put up 10 flats of garden seeds in the greenhouse with the bedding mix. That's about $150 worth of plants at flat prices ($3 or $4 hundred at Walmart prices -not agian). I need to set some pepper seeds now. ... The 'banana' mix is very fast draining and holds little to no free water in the pot.
I got 3 VC plants and a Paggi last fall (Thanks Ty) shown in the 'banana' mix.
http://caironet.com/banana/Paggi%2DVC%2D03112018%2Ejpg
Paggi on far right and VC the 3 pots to the left. Now to what I believe were miss routed shipping by the USPS and low temps (high altitude) during shipping, the 3 plants were in poor condition when I received them. One (front pot) VC pushed 3 times but died back the the corm crown. It pushed a new pup about 10 days ago. The original growing point is dead. The other 2 VC regrew from the crown after dying back. ... The Paggi which is a difficult and temperamental banana is loving it. I lost 3 paggis last year trying to baby those in regular potting soil-perllite mix in the house. I think the greenhouse & super fast draining mix made the difference for the Paggi.
Next, after our 1st freeze of 28 F in Dec. & early Jan, I potted up in the 'banana' mix pups from my Hua Moa & a Blue Java and put into the greenhouse as backups if I loose those mats. The Blue java hasn't pushed yet, but the Hua Moa has and has a peeper showing today (enlarge photo to see).
http://caironet.com/banana/HuaMoa%2D03112018%2Ejpg
So far I like the mixes and have no need to add additional material other than fertilizer. For fertilizer I'll ether use 10-10-10 or folar feed as needed.
beam2050
03-12-2018, 02:10 AM
great pics. so where did you buy this at?
edwmax
03-12-2018, 07:16 AM
The mixes are from Graco Fertilizer Co. in Cairo Ga. My dad was a salesman for them for years until he retired in the early 80's. Graco makes these mixes for large nurseries across North Florida and South Georgia. ... And they are only 2 miles from my house.
It could be worth driving up to Cairo from Florida to get a couple yards of the mix. You need super sacks or a side body trailer to haul the mix loose.
cincinnana
03-12-2018, 07:47 PM
Haha ... This is what I started using last fall.
http://caironet.com/banana/BarkMix%2D03112018%2Ejpg
1 cu yard about 1200lb to 1400lb (??) bags: Bedding/potting mix (left) and course (Banana) Mix (right) I just got the Bedding mix last week. ... These are 80% pine park; 10% peat; 10% sand without fertilizer. They cost $30 & $25 per yard. So I'll let you do the math, but compared to retail store prices between $100 to $150 per 27 (1 cy ft) bags.
This is what the mixes look like.
http://caironet.com/banana/BarkMixs%2DPotting%2DBanana%2Ejpg
Bedding/potting on left and 'banana mix on right. I just put up 10 flats of garden seeds in the greenhouse with the bedding mix. That's about $150 worth of plants at flat prices ($3 or $4 hundred at Walmart prices -not agian). I need to set some pepper seeds now. ... The 'banana' mix is very fast draining and holds little to no free water in the pot.
I got 3 VC plants and a Paggi last fall (Thanks Ty) shown in the 'banana' mix.
http://caironet.com/banana/Paggi%2DVC%2D03112018%2Ejpg
Paggi on far right and VC the 3 pots to the left. Now to what I believe were miss routed shipping by the USPS and low temps (high altitude) during shipping, the 3 plants were in poor condition when I received them. One (front pot) VC pushed 3 times but died back the the corm crown. It pushed a new pup about 10 days ago. The original growing point is dead. The other 2 VC regrew from the crown after dying back. ... The Paggi which is a difficult and temperamental banana is loving it. I lost 3 paggis last year trying to baby those in regular potting soil-perllite mix in the house. I think the greenhouse & super fast draining mix made the difference for the Paggi.
Next, after our 1st freeze of 28 F in Dec. & early Jan, I potted up in the 'banana' mix pups from my Hua Moa & a Blue Java and put into the greenhouse as backups if I loose those mats. The Blue java hasn't pushed yet, but the Hua Moa has and has a peeper showing today (enlarge photo to see).
http://caironet.com/banana/HuaMoa%2D03112018%2Ejpg
So far I like the mixes and have no need to add additional material other than fertilizer. For fertilizer I'll ether use 10-10-10 or folar feed as needed.
So are the bags Hot
I want some!!!
edwmax
03-12-2018, 11:19 PM
The bags are not hot. The pine bark or pete is not composting if that's what you are asking.
Tytaylor77
03-14-2018, 01:05 AM
Do you reuse the sacks? I’m interested in them! There is a lot of places around but only sell it loose! I have an open top cattle trailer! I had an idea to put some plywood around in it but wow the sacks would solve my problems!
beam2050
03-14-2018, 01:30 AM
Do you reuse the sacks? I’m interested in them! There is a lot of places around but only sell it loose! I have an open top cattle trailer! I had an idea to put some plywood around in it but wow the sacks would solve my problems!
ebay. find builder bags or rubble bags or builder sacks or rubble sacks.
hold one ton sell for 16 to 21 dollars.
edwmax
03-14-2018, 06:38 AM
Do you reuse the sacks? I’m interested in them! There is a lot of places around but only sell it loose! I have an open top cattle trailer! I had an idea to put some plywood around in it but wow the sacks would solve my problems!
I'll reuse these sacks. Graco had some used ones from supplies they received. Also, since I asked about the 'super-sacks' last year they started stocking a few new (not sure what they sell the new ones for). ... Look on ebay for (used) 'super sack' or 'bulk bags'. A few vendors will sell single bags but shipping tends to be high. On ebay cost with shipping can run as much as $45 - $50 each, but they are worth it. .... Also, check Uline website and their nearest location. A new bag from them (Uline) is $31.
Also, Lowes has an open top 1/2 yd bag for $10. This can be useful to. Check around locally for any company the gets bulk granular materials, you may be able to get the bag free or for just a few dollars.
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