Log in

View Full Version : Beach Sand


SOCALROCKER
08-25-2007, 11:54 PM
I was wondering about if beach sand was a good thing to mix with any soil for planting banana's.I was thinking it might allow the roots to breath or move better when growing into the planter bed.I picked up some this weekend while I was down at Zuma beach one of the local beaches out here in Southern California.Does anyone know about using sand in a planter mix?


Mitch:chefnaner:

Fcastro
08-25-2007, 11:57 PM
don't do it, the Salt will kill your plants ! Sand is good to use but it has to be well washed. You can buy Coarse builders sand /washed at any of the Home improvement stores.Just to be on the safe side, rinse it well anyway.

SOCALROCKER
08-26-2007, 12:16 AM
Thank you so much for your assistance on not to use the beach sand.I didn't think about the salt my mistake.I'm glad I did not use any yet.I thought it might be a good stuff to use.Has anyone heard about green sand from any nursery plant store.How does that stuff do in planter bed's?

Kylie2x
08-26-2007, 07:45 AM
Green sand is a soil conditioner high in minerals .It's part an organic regimine . It's readily available around here.We've used it in the veggie beds..
Kylie

momoese
08-26-2007, 08:48 AM
Yep, Green sand good, beach sand bad!

john_ny
08-26-2007, 01:42 PM
Many of the growers in Florida use some sand in their potting mix. I don't know what kind of sand it is but, on several occasions, in plants that I got from Florida, I have found little sea shells in them, so I guess it must have come from a beach at some point.

SOCALROCKER
08-26-2007, 02:48 PM
Thank you everybody Felix, Kylie ,Mitchel,and John.I am glad you guy's read this stuff and help us out.I was just thinking that sand might be cool to plant banana's in.Have a great weekend everyone.

Your Banana friend,
Mitch:2741:

JoeS475
08-26-2007, 02:49 PM
Thats right John, I'd forgotten all about it, but my very first bananas two years ago, Musella Lasiocarpa from Home Depot, had quite a few little shells in the potting soil!

While salt is bad, I think back to driving through the Florida Keys, and all the little nurseries there. Salt gets everywhere, and on everything, but the plants all seem healthy. Maybe it just takes an adjustment period...

~Joe

Kylie2x
08-26-2007, 03:51 PM
Alot of plants are tolerant of salt spray... most of those grow what is native ,tolerates the conditions and loves your neighborhood...LOL I'm guessin that is what most nurseries would have to do.. Well and HIDE the really good stuff inside...
Kylie

SOCALROCKER
08-26-2007, 11:53 PM
Thanks Joe for your advice also regarding the Beach sand.

Mitch

Bamboo Conne'iseur
09-03-2007, 12:48 PM
I have noticed that my banana grows very fast in sandy soil that has been amended with compost and manure. I have been getting a fresh new leaf every 6 to 7 days, so it must really love that combination.