View Full Version : Need Help With Soil
sunfish
06-17-2008, 11:58 AM
I HAVE SEARCHED THIS FORUM AND OTHERS FOR POTTING SOIL. MOST PEOPLE HAVE THIER OWN IDEAS OF WHATS BEST. I HAVE POTTING SOIL THAT IS TO HEAVY, HOLDS TO MUCH WATER. THIS IS STORE BOUGHT BAGS .IF I ADD ENOUGH PERLITE WOULD THIS SOLVE MY PROBLEM? I KNOW EVERYONE HAS THERE OWN MIX THAT THEY THINK IS BEST. ALL I AM CONCERNED WITH IS GETTING THE SOIL I HAVE TO DRAIN BETTER.THANKS FOR THE HELP.:doggyandnaner::doggyandnaner:
Bananaman88
06-17-2008, 12:01 PM
Perlite is a good choice and you may consider adding something like charcoal (not like you'd cook with) or bark like is in orchid mix.
chong
06-17-2008, 12:39 PM
Perlite is great, but it's pretty expensive. I get mine wholesale, and they cost as much per cubic foot as the more expensive potting medium that I use. Another thing is that Perlite will float to the top of the soil, unless you use a soaker to water your plants.
If you have access to Pumice, it would be better. Get the 1/4" size, you can mix it to as much as 35-40% Pumice and 60-65% soil. If you can't get Pumice, you can substitute Lava Rock that's graded at 3/16" to 3/8" size. Lava Rock is red in color and a little heavier than Pumice, which is white in color. Landscape supply stores usually carry Lava Rock and you can buy them by the cubic yard. Last time I bought some, it cost me $32/Yd and a 54-mile round trip in a beat up pick-up truck. I did get 2.5 Yds just to make it worth the trip.
sunfish
06-17-2008, 01:11 PM
Chong
I Dont Know What Happend But Your Post Is Not Showing For Me. I Can Go And Find It At Post You Have Do , But It Does Not Show On Main Banana Forum. Somehow Me And Mason Are Both Logged On At The Same Time With One Computer. Banana Bucks Go Up And Down.
sunfish
06-17-2008, 01:13 PM
Your Post Just Showed . Thanks
sunfish
06-17-2008, 01:19 PM
Thank You For The Advice. The Perlite Is Expensive. I Bought 3.5 Cubic Ft. Home Depot $18. Lava Rock Should Be Easy To Find Here In San Diego , I Will Try That. Thanks Again.
Bananaman88
06-17-2008, 02:43 PM
Good advice from Chong.
turtile
06-17-2008, 08:42 PM
Perlite will definitely help. Its most likely one of the best things you can use. Pine bark may also help depending on what is currently in your potting mix.
mskitty38583
06-17-2008, 09:49 PM
perlite is 2.17 for 8 quarts at walmart. and it is a little more at lowes....
natedogg1026
06-17-2008, 10:40 PM
Pure compost for me baby.
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