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View Full Version : Best soil mix?


Rastapher
05-30-2009, 07:25 AM
What would be the best potting soil mix or blend?

Bob
05-30-2009, 08:35 AM
I'm interested in what replies you'll get for this question. Although I do everything else organic, I use regular miracle grow potting mix because I like the consistency and it's easy to buy. I amend this with whatever is on hand usually sand, perlite and bark chips to get it to a consistency where it's super well draning but retains enough moisture. You get a feel for it after mixing a few batches. Any subsequent fertilizing is done with fish emusion for nitrogen and organic powderd products.

alexizhere19
05-30-2009, 03:57 PM
I use Fafard 3b mixed with very wll composted manure and vermiculite. Fafard by itself is very good but the manure adds nutrition and better drainage. the vermiculite does the same as perlite, adds drainage and holds moisture. Imop, anything that has good drainage and holds moisture well is tops. Thats the whole key. many people has their preferences but end the end it is basically the same goal. bananas loves their water but don't want to sit in it.

Chironex
05-30-2009, 08:53 PM
Richard has some good recipes for soil mixing. Look under member list, find "Richard" and then look through his posts. He is very good at soil amendments and has a website too. Plants That Produce (http://Plantsthatproduce.com)

alpha010
06-01-2009, 06:40 AM
Scotts makes some awesome looking Humus / Manure mix in a 40lb. bag that I picked up at home depot. I just used 3 bags of it to put 3 of my nanners in the ground with along with hardy amounts of miracle grow organics choice garden soil....In my opinion, anything scotts or miracle grow is just the bees knees (for you older gents and ladies!!!!). I third and fourth the drainage.

alexizhere19
06-01-2009, 06:43 AM
forgot to mention pine bark fines, mix in some compost or manure add perlte

Rastapher
06-01-2009, 03:13 PM
Thanks everyone, I'm gonna search out Richard.

Rastapher
06-01-2009, 03:20 PM
I'm blind, I went thru all Richards threads and didn't see one, Anyone help me on this?

Michael_Andrew
06-01-2009, 06:57 PM
http://www.bananas.org/f15/what-best-soil-mix-my-basjoo-6070.html
http://www.bananas.org/f2/tips-growing-bananas-anything-else-got-7116.html

kman84
06-01-2009, 06:58 PM
I saw a soil mix at Home Depot today that I thought looked perfect, I plan to used it to germinate my seeds. It was called Miracle grow cactus and citrus soil. It was pre-mixed with lots of things including sand aND perlite for fast drainage.

Michael_Andrew
06-01-2009, 07:23 PM
Personally I use pro-mix and add some perlite. I've also germinated many seeds using straight perlite.

Michael

just j
06-01-2009, 09:15 PM
i use the mirical grow palm stuff i mix a bunch of cow **** in with it my plants love it

damaclese
06-02-2009, 03:32 PM
this is the best recipe i ever grew any thing in stuff will out preform any mix you can buy all stake my rep on it

http://www.bananas.org/f312/super-soil-planter-mix-7426.html

cowboyup4christ
06-05-2009, 10:42 AM
has anyone tried horse manure on bananas I have lots that the chickens scratch and breakup into a fine powered I usually just push it up with the loader into piles. and let it sit till I put it on the gardens and stuff. has no shavings in it just horse manure and dirt.

Tog Tan
06-05-2009, 12:18 PM
For my soil mix, I always follow the main keys to the needs of the plant, in fact any plant;

1. Aeration for the existing roots.
2. Soft enough for the new roots to move/penetrate.
3. Ability to hold/retain adequate moisture.

With this in mind, go figure with the different requirements of each family of the plants you are growing. The fert and other nutrition comes in second after the plant has established in this media.

Bob
06-05-2009, 12:37 PM
has anyone tried horse manure on bananas I have lots that the chickens scratch and breakup into a fine powered I usually just push it up with the loader into piles. and let it sit till I put it on the gardens and stuff. has no shavings in it just horse manure and dirt.
Horse manure is great(I get it with the shavings) just make sure and let it sit long enough in warm weather to make sure it's full composted.

Patty in Wisc
06-05-2009, 12:50 PM
Horse manure is ( I read) better than cow or chicken manure.