Best potting mix for containers
 

Hey everyone
I have 4 banana plants, 2 Musa Basjoo which I believe are cold hardy, a Musa Cavendish red and a Musa ensete Maurelli red. All growing rapidly at the moment. I need to pot on the Basjoo ones and I repotted the Maurelli a couple of weeks ago but I am not happy with the potting mix I used as it feels very heavy and I am not sure it is draining well enough. I used equal parts John Innes no 2, horticultural sand and horticultural grit. The pot has plenty of drainage holes but it seems to stay wet a bit too long for my liking. I like the mix my Cavendish is in but it came like that and I don't know what it is...it is quite fibrous and lightweight when getting dry so it's easy to tell when watering is needed. What do you guys use? I am in the U.K. Thanks!:goteam:

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Nobody knows the best mix because that would require doing controlled experiments on every possible combination of every possible ingredient of potting mix. Personally, I use 1/3 parboiled rice hulls (PBH), plus 2/3 peat moss, and a small amount of unmilled sphagnum moss which produces relatively large air pockets while increasing water holding capacity. I avoid perlite and bark because, in theory, inelastic particles will not adequately allow for expansion of the root system and the potting mix will eventually be pushed over the top of the pot by the growing root system. My mix requires fertilization with a fertilizer that includes substantial amounts of Ca, Mg, and S.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Peat moss and sphagnum moss I can definitely do but I have never heard of PBH! I'm glad I didn't use perlite but I think the grit i used is the problem. Maybe I can repot it in peat, sphagnum and coconut husk mix? What do you think? ��

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

You will find many different soil recipes for containers both on the web(youtube)
and in the forum.

Generally all the recipes will work and each person has their own recipe for success.

Buy and use what you can afford. I do. Fall is the best time to stock up for next year much of youe supplies are on sale

These are some of the substrates I use and can recommend.

Peatmoss, perlite, pine fines, super fine bark.

Soilless mix

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

By "coconut husk" I assume you mean coir. I regard coir as an inferior substitute for peat moss.

You can buy PBH here:

Rice Hulls Soil Amendment 50 lb - Seven Springs Farm Organic Farming & Gardening Supplies LLC

but shipping costs are high. If you can find a local source and pick it up, better.

Just to clarify, unmilled sphagnum moss is this:

https://www.amazon.com/Super-Moss-23.../dp/B004BFWABW

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Try EB Stone Citrus and Palm Mix. I really love it. It's extremely fast draining. I even use it for houseplants because it's an airy mix that doesn't allow roots to be too wet too long. I believe it has pumice in it. Cactus mixes should work too except Miracle Grow Cactus mix which has too much peat.

Z

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I use rice hulls also. They can be purchased at local feed stores as bedding for horses for around $8 per #50 bag

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Sounds ideal but i cant get it here in the UK so I will need to make my own mix :waving:

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Use a low cost potting mix from your local garden center or a discount store. What ever is cheap! Add to it 1/3 to 1/2 perlite for bananas. Or use sand instead of perlite; but sand will add extra weight to the pot.

If you check the label, I think these mixes in the UK will be a peat with a filer of fine bark or some other similar product and some perlite.

If your local garden center had peat, ground pine bark, compost and perlite you might be able to mix your own potting mix for less cost.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

You can, it is called Al's Gritty Mix..... you can find the recipe it on the web....

Great for small banana plants, cacti, orchid, succulents.:08:

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I didn't see you were in the UK. But yes, what the OP said, adding a lot of perlite to the mix will make it fluffier and airier and will be good for bananas giving them less a chance of rotting.

Z

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Bananas love perlite. Nothing I have found will make a mix as fluffy and light as perlite does. Any banana touching a pot here goes in 50% potting soil (I like miracle grow yellow bag) mixed with 50% perlite.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

No such cultivar exists. You have something else.

For bagged soil available in the U.K., choose something labeled for azaleas or roses.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Oh, that's what is on the label, I must try and find out then...they do a tree, shrub and rose compost mix at my local garden centre? Perhaps I can try that with some perlite...so many choices. Thanks everyone :woohoonaner:

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Try shredded Styrofoam. It will make your potting mix so light that the slightest breeze will tip over your potted plant.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

My closest feed store doesn't have it, but, they offered me oat hulls which are useless for potting mix.

Incidentally, I just discovered that rice hulls can be pulverized with a food blender. I am going to experiment with pulverized rice hulls as a substitute for peat moss.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

What about a small part of vermiculite if the mix as it holds water exceptionally well and bananas LOVE water right? I would think maybe 10% vermiculite or more for drier climates?

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Yes, plants love vermiculite. But, I wouldn't want vermiculite or perlite in my garden soil. Once upon a time, when I used those ingredients in potting media, I would dispose of the root balls of dead (sometimes live) potted plants in the garbage. Now, with all organic potting media, I just throw the whole thing on my compost pile. It makes my life a little easier.

Sphagnum moss is more water absorbent than vermiculite. You can buy it here:

https://www.amazon.com/BestValueMoss...196476-8161365

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Also way more expensive! $65 for spaghnum and $22 for shipping? I don't think so ....

I don't see any problem with perlite or vermiculite in garden soil either, if anything I encourage it as it's better than the hard pan soil I already have on my property.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I would buy 18 wheeler loads of perlite and add it to my garden soil! It is NOT styrofoam! It is all natural! They take volcanic rock and heat it until it pops like popcorn! If you don’t know what it is or the benefits, Go google it! Amazing stuff.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Yes, I know about the benefits, not sure why azuzinski was dead against perlite and vermiculite in the garden soil though. Hope they offer up their reasons though. Should be interesting.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I have changed to a pine bark mix for potting bananas. It is made/mix by a local fertilizer company for nursery's at 80% bark (medium/fine grind); 10% sand; 10% peat. ... Bark & sand doesn't absorb water but only retains that which adheres to the surface. Peat will hold water like a sponge. I don't remember what the at water retention of the mix was (I think 30% to 40% by wt ???). And excess water started draining from the pot in less than 5 seconds & was finished less than 2 or 3 minutes, making this a very fast draining potting mix.

I'll test water retention & draining again in a week or 2; and post the results later.

I bought 1 yard of the 80-10-10 bark mix for $20. Much less than buying bagged potting soil at $5 per 2 cft bag & perlite at $4.50 per 8 gt bag (abt 1/4 cft) which would cost about $262/yd (or $9.70 per cft of mix) to make a 50/50 mix for potting bananas.

I don't know that this is 'the Best' but it sure is less costly and the Bananas wont care as long as you feed and water them.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I would think bark would do fine! Especially at that price! For perlite check feed stores! Mom and pop ones! Not tractor supply, etc. i get 4cu ft of perlite for right around $13. It’s the same place the local nursery’s buy it from! The feed store gets truckloads of product so no extra shipping for the perlite, etc. just look around! If you can’t find any, i know Home Depot sells decent sized bags for an ok price. 2cuft or so i think. Lots of mixes will work! I don’t like peat either! I love rice hulls in my mix.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Thanks Ty,

The prices was based on Walmart & Dollar Store. I haven't seen big bags of perlite in the stores. I think my local fertilizer company has the large bags of perlite, but I don't need it with the 80-10-10 mix. The peat is used in the mix to increase water retention, so i don't have a problem with it in this mix. ...Anyway the cost saving means I can get more banana plants!!!! ...:woohoonaner:

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

for pearlite check building supply and concrete dealers they use it to fill the void in concrete block as insulation as for potting mix I work part time for a co that makes the stuff in different varites but for personal use I get the scrap thats spilled around the machinery I just sweep it up in 5 gal buckets or if i am really lucky get a loader bucket full dumped in my pickup

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Can't beat FREE ...
:nanadrink:

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Sphagnum moss is not so expensive on a volume basis. After the 22 lb. bale is uncompressed, it will be very light and fluffy. A few ounces of sphagnum moss is enough to amend about 20 gallons of potting media.

Some vermiculites contain asbestos:

Asbestos in Vermiculite

Good luck with vermiculite in your garden soil. I don't feel so lucky nor do I expect the government to protect me from such things.

And, if and when you sell your property, I hope the buyer doesn't see the vermiculite or perlite in your soil and use that as a flimsy excuse to negotiate a lower price.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I will raise a cold beer to that:bananas_b

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

whats the deal with perlite?

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I admit that my reasons for disliking perlite are flimsy:

1. I prefer rice hulls because, unlike perlite, rice hulls are a source of soluble silicate. Musa are silicate accumulators.

2. In my experience, white mealy bugs camouflage themselves as perlite particles that have splashed onto the bottoms of lower leaves. I even suspect that they evolved this trait on plants potted with perlite. White mealy bug are easy to spot when you don't use perlite.

3. There is some debate about phytotoxic levels of fluoride in perlite:

AN ARTICLE ON PERLITE, FLUORIDE, AND FLORICULTURAL CROPS---The Schundler Company

Enough for a pessimist, like me, to worry about.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

This is what we use locally

The mix is made by many of the local plant society members.

Super fan of pearlite/sand /peat/vermiculite/rice hulls.

Our go to amendments and soil mix is peat moss/pearlite/pine fines which can be adjusted to meet your plants needs.


Of course some can debate this .......just use what works for you and what you can afford.

Everything mentioned in the thread works very well.





Supplies for the soilless mix for all of the plants.
by
Hostafarian, on Flickr

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I'd rather have the vermiculite in my soil on my property than the crappy hard pan filled with inorganic TRASH the former owners buried in gthe soil along with concrete and full size lava rock, all covered with black PLASTIC landscape fabric. It's been 2 1/2 years since I've been here and I curse the former owners everyday for their poor decisions, that I am having to fix now after the fact. Vermiculite would have been a dream compared to the crap they left me.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Aruzinsky, since you're paying attention to these things, have you considered the amount of arsenic present in rice (hulls, especially).

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I am aware of the arsenic in rice. I am aware that arsenic is chemically similar to phosphorus. And, I am aware that there is a bacteria that can replace the phosphorus in its DNA with arsenic.

If you are concerned about arsenic absorption by plants growing in rice hulls, fertilizing with extra phosphorus should help.

https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php...62010000200004

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

I picked up some double washed cocoa coir today 5kg.....at the hydro store.
Pro stuff and 2.5x the cost of a bale of peat moss
Looks good and smells good.
I cannot wait to use it soon

Thx Mushtaq86 for the suggestion to try it. Lol:08:

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

"cocoa coir" - I think you mean coconut or "coco" coir. I don't think cocoa (chocolate) plants have coir.

About 10 years ago, I did a side by side comparison of tomato plants grown in soils amended with coconut coir versus peat moss. The peat moss won.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

The little bit of coco coir I have is used for seed starting and starting sensitive plants. When I transfer a tiny TC or culture plant with 0-2 roots it helps keep the soil moist at all levels longer without needing more water! I also find it doesn’t stay as wet and soggy as peat. For this it is outstanding. I wish it was more available here. Just isn’t worth it on most applications because of price.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

LOL...I must have been coo coo for cocoa puffs

I had read a number of articles and watched a few videos with side by side comparisons with various herbaceous plants. Some good threads in the forum even discuss the use of coir.

Many of my CoHorts swear by it and praise the benefits while giving me the horticultural stink eye.

It is great soilless foundation in many applications but cost is prohibitive for me.
So I am going to give this hard brick a try once I figure out how to put the square brick in a round container.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

According to my suppliers, the price of coconut coir and peat moss are almost the same. The cheapest place to buy peat moss is at Menards which has it on sale for about $5 per 2.2 cubic feet bag, once a year. If you miss that sale, it costs $6.98.

https://www.menards.com/main/outdoor...3608034794.htm

Here is a $6.25 block of coir which when expanded is 2 1/2 – 3 cu. ft.:

https://hydro-gardens.com/product/co...lock-51-6e542/

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Thanks for the information and valuable links.

Those seem like decent prices too.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Mike

Keep me updated on how your bananas grow using coco coir, mine are doing great at the moment, for the short period that I have been using coco coir.

I am going to try Hector's method of using pool silica sand next year.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

link doesn't work or website is down.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Wow....... while coir was and is a great amendment it did not stretch and fill as I was expecting.
Close inspection revealed an awesome component for a soilless mix.
Coir is awesome....but not for me. Cost is an issue
I had picked up 3 blocks of coir and followed hydration instructions.
Loved the way each filled wheelbarrow

Could not get the expanded volume that I was supposed /expected to achieve.
Peat once fluffed seems to have more volume.

Coir is awesome but not for my application



Gabe uses coir with his grow operation with awesome success.

Check out Hectors photos using the silica sand and some TLC.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/151124777@N03/albums

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

Container mix's:woohoonaner: do differ from region to region.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

What ever works......
:08:
There are some great ideas with an internet search.
Buy what is in your budget......that is what I do.

Shop now for broken bags of amendments at the big box stores......they're dirt cheap.

Re: Best potting mix for containers
 

My SDC is in African Violet soil from a local nursery. So far all is good. Fyi: African Violets are notorious for getting root rot--yet you can't let them get too dry either. The soil is light and airy, good drainage, yet does retain a nice percentage of moisture without being sopping or heavy.

I'm sure they are better mixes out there, but in a quick pinch or for something temporary it does fine! Long term...yet to be tested!

Will be trying my hand at some soil alchemy this summer when it gets potted up again.

Good luck!