View Full Version : Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems.
KokoTheMonkey
05-21-2013, 05:33 PM
This actually isn't a banana specific question (my banana won't be big enough for this to cause a problem for a long time) but I might be running into this problems with some other plants.
The problem being soil compacting too much and causing problems with aeration. Suggestions to prevent this are things like a layer of clay pellets in the bottom of the container, sand or even rocks.
However:
Smart pots are a great way to kill plants. Customers bring them in all the time. Fungus and pests get into the water supply and kill the plants from the bottom up. It's the next worst thing to putting a layer of rocks in the bottom of your pots.
So uhm...is taking them out of the pots and putting them back in every year the best solution? Or is there anything that can be used that doesn't have this problem?
sunfish
05-21-2013, 05:54 PM
Using Perlite in Potted Plants (http://www.perlite.info/hbk/0032705.htm)
2woodensticks
05-21-2013, 05:59 PM
you could use perlite,charcoal,small lava rocks..helps keep airspaces..several soil amendments for keeping soil open..
wolfyhound
05-21-2013, 07:16 PM
Perlite and vermiculite. I still haven't quite gotten the mix right in my lizard cage, but mixing sand, soil and vermiculite can give you a "fluffy" mix that doesn't compact as badly as soil does.
Abnshrek
05-21-2013, 07:25 PM
I use all purpose sand that has alot of pebbles in it on top of using perlite.. :^)
sunfish
05-21-2013, 07:34 PM
you can use chicken grit if you want. Large particles that do not break down. Whateveryou do don't use fine sand
PR-Giants
05-21-2013, 08:28 PM
I use coarse sand and maybe there's something better, but I'm satisfied with the results.
may 15
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53019 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53019&limit=recent)
may 22
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53020 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53020&limit=recent)
apr 26
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52982 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52982)
may 10
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52983 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52983)
KokoTheMonkey
05-23-2013, 10:53 AM
Does anyone have any experience with vermiculite for plants that prefer moist soil? Would this have the same effect on aeration as perlite?
And just how much perlite should be used? I used 1/3 (1/3 coco peat and 1/3 organic compost) in the few plants I repotted in the last days. Is coco peat not easily compacted? Or should I change the mix to 2/3 perlite and 1/3 compost?
sunfish
05-23-2013, 11:04 AM
Does anyone have any experience with vermiculite for plants that prefer moist soil? Would this have the same effect on aeration as perlite?
And just how much perlite should be used? I used 1/3 (1/3 coco peat and 1/3 organic compost) in the few plants I repotted in the last days. Is coco peat not easily compacted? Or should I change the mix to 2/3 perlite and 1/3 compost?
All the commercial mix are perlite and peat moss,
sunfish
05-23-2013, 11:17 AM
Potting Soil Recipes: Organic Gardening (http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/potting-soil-recipes)
Romul
05-23-2013, 01:42 PM
I'm adding the substrate pieces of bark and charcoal 2-3 cm. Before that, I pour boiling water over it and give cool. At the bottom of the container carefully stack of 6-8 sm of expanded clay. In the container without bark and coal bananas grow worse.
sunfish
05-23-2013, 03:43 PM
There is probably as many soil recipes as there are chicken recipes
Dalmatiansoap
05-23-2013, 03:48 PM
There is probably as many soil recipes as there are chicken recipes
UR using chicken recipes for planting?
sunfish
05-23-2013, 04:05 PM
UR using chicken recipes for planting?
Yes I substitute perlite for cottage cheese.
Dalmatiansoap
05-23-2013, 04:13 PM
Yes I substitute perlite for cottage cheese.
Yup, heard about that but unfortunaly I cant apply it. U see my bananas are lactose intolerant so I had to turn to sintetics. Bummer.
pniksch
05-24-2013, 01:48 PM
What's a 'smart pot"?
sunfish
05-24-2013, 02:25 PM
What's a 'smart pot"?
https://www.google.com/search?q=smart+pot&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
pniksch
05-24-2013, 05:30 PM
Thanks.
celastrus
06-08-2013, 01:18 AM
Search for: Container Soils Water Movement Tapla
You don't need pebbles or rocks in the bottom, they don't help at all. The compaction layer just goes higher and around the rocks if you use them, the area for roots to grow is reduced and you still get root rot issues eventually. What you need is a soil mix that stays aerated for a longer period, and that search will provide you with the answers.
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