Planting medium strategies?

ChefBertMor · November 12, 2016

I'm going to get my containers ready for the season and trying to decide what mediums I should use. I used pine bark fines andProMix in the past and I had good results. Im trying to be cheap now. Could I get just plain peat at the box store and then add mychorizae purchased off of Amazon. I plan on adding some perlite and vermiculite as well. I heard Azomite might be worth adding as well. any suggestions?

Chef Bert

dmforcier · November 12, 2016

Boca Raton isn't all that rainy, so no need for a super-draining mix like 5-1-1 or permutations thereon. I'd just use Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, which needs no amendment and is relatively cheap.

ChefBertMor · November 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmforcier

Boca Raton isn't all that rainy, so no need for a super-draining mix like 5-1-1 or permutations thereon. I'd just use Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, which needs no amendment and is relatively cheap.

I used a 3-1-1 recipe. Since i"m using SIP's rain is a non factor. Thanks for your help

Ricky Shaw · November 12, 2016

The compromises are cost, yield, space, and they can be prioritized in a number of ways.

My costs including ferts on a 15gal pot are about $15. And for that money, I'm pretty sure I can average 25lbs of tomatoes per plant or 60 cents a pound.

I believe I could lower my costs, but I also think efficiency would suffer. So say I lower my costs to $5 a pot and my production is now 15lbs or 33 cents a pound.

I have lowered my cost of tomatoes, but I have fewer pounds in the same amount of space using approximately as much fertilizer.

Cole_Robbie · November 12, 2016

There are a few do-it-yourself recipes on this site for making your own mix. I believe one is supposed to adjust for the PH of the peat when doing so. I don't think it is a big cost-saver for me. Pro Mix in the bale that expands to four cubic feet is about $15 for me at Menard's. I add mycogrow and osmocote, and that's all.

ChefBertMor · November 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

There are a few do-it-yourself recipes on this site for making your own mix. I believe one is supposed to adjust for the PH of the peat when doing so. I don't think it is a big cost-saver for me. Pro Mix in the bale that expands to four cubic feet is about $15 for me at Menard's. I add mycogrow and osmocote, and that's all.

I wish I knew where you got your ProMix. it is very hard to find around here. My ProMix HP 2.8 cf bale cost $28 I think. If I buy peat and add mycorhhizae it might be a whole lot cheaper, no?

dmforcier · November 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

The example was, lower my cost to $5, not by $5.

Ah! This is what happens when one goes right for the numbers. Sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChefBertMor

I wish I knew where you got your ProMix. it is very hard to find around here. My ProMix HP 2.8 cf bale cost $28 I think. If I buy peat and add mycorhhizae it might be a whole lot cheaper, no?

I haven't seen it anywhere near that cheap. And peat itself isn't far off the cost of a pre-mix.

I take it you've had good results with mycorhhizae? I've long understood that it isn't particularly effective in containers, so haven't used it.

ChefBertMor · November 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmforcier

Ah! This is what happens when one goes right for the numbers. Sorry.

I haven't seen it anywhere near that cheap. And peat itself isn't far off the cost of a pre-mix.

I take it you've had good results with mycorhhizae? I've long understood that it isn't particularly effective in containers, so haven't used it.

The ProMix has mycorhhizae in it. Worked for me. As I understand as long as there are roots the symbiotic relationship would be unaffected if it was in the ground or in the container. YMMV

Cole_Robbie · November 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChefBertMor

I wish I knew where you got your ProMix. it is very hard to find around here. My ProMix HP 2.8 cf bale cost $28 I think. If I buy peat and add mycorhhizae it might be a whole lot cheaper, no?

Here's the link. It's $13.99 for the bale that expands to 4 cubic feet:
http://www.menards.com/main/outdoors...56555217217074

ChefBertMor · November 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

Here's the link. It's $13.99 for the bale that expands to 4 cubic feet:
http://www.menards.com/main/outdoors...56555217217074

Thats not the package I got. Mine was the white with orange and black

This stuff https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1SJHX9YM1Z25JR

A lot more expensive

Barb_FL · November 12, 2016

Bert - I'm in the same boat as you re: ProMix. There is one supplier close to where I live. I faithfully use it and it was $41 for a 3.x Compressed bale but since the election when growing medical marijuana was passed, it is now $48.

Miracle Grow was $14-$15 so was no cheaper; just worse mix.

I have a ton of perlite so bought a bale of peat moss from Lowes for $11. I have one empty EB so am going to try it.

----
BTW - I solarize the mix at the end of the season so do get multiple seasons with it.

ginger2778 · November 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChefBertMor

I wish I knew where you got your ProMix. it is very hard to find around here. My ProMix HP 2.8 cf bale cost $28 I think. If I buy peat and add mycorhhizae it might be a whole lot cheaper, no?

You can buy Promix BX 3.8 cu ft bale for $30 at Universal Enterprises Supply just off Blount Road. Use the Coconut Creek Parkway exit off the turnpike, go east, first light us Blount Road.
That bale fluffs to about 7 cu ft.
The BX already has tons of Perlite, and mycorrhizae.

I never saw chunks of wood in it.
I wouldn't dream of using anything else.

ChefBertMor · November 13, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginger2778

You can buy Promix BX 3.8 cu ft bale for $30 at Universal Enterprises Supply just off Blount Road. Use the Coconut Creek Parkway exit off the turnpike, go east, first light us Blount Road.
That bale fluffs to about 7 cu ft.
The BX already has tons of Perlite, and mycorrhizae.

I never saw chunks of wood in it.
I wouldn't dream of using anything else.

Thats where I got ot. I think they also have pine fines which I intend to investigate/buy.

I will be honest I dont remember exactly how much I paid for it, but I keep seeing $50 prices online and I wonder what the deal is.

KIm glad I have a local pick up, gardening would be a bit more difficult.

dmforcier · November 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

So say I lower my costs to $5 a pot and my production is now 15lbs or 33 cents a pound.

Your point is good, but...

$15 / 25 lb = 60¢ /lb
$10 / 15 lb = 67¢ /lb

Ricky Shaw · November 12, 2016

I believe everything checks, but I'm wrong plenty and it's only a theoretical.

The example was, lower my cost to $5, not by $5.

15lbs costing $5 = .33 lb

November 12, 2016	#1
ChefBertMor Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 36	Planting medium strategies? I'm going to get my containers ready for the season and trying to decide what mediums I should use. I used pine bark fines andProMix in the past and I had good results. Im trying to be cheap now. Could I get just plain peat at the box store and then add mychorizae purchased off of Amazon. I plan on adding some perlite and vermiculite as well. I heard Azomite might be worth adding as well. any suggestions? Chef Bert

November 12, 2016	#2
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	Boca Raton isn't all that rainy, so no need for a super-draining mix like 5-1-1 or permutations thereon. I'd just use Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, which needs no amendment and is relatively cheap. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

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November 12, 2016	#4
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	The compromises are cost, yield, space, and they can be prioritized in a number of ways. My costs including ferts on a 15gal pot are about $15. And for that money, I'm pretty sure I can average 25lbs of tomatoes per plant or 60 cents a pound. I believe I could lower my costs, but I also think efficiency would suffer. So say I lower my costs to $5 a pot and my production is now 15lbs or 33 cents a pound. I have lowered my cost of tomatoes, but I have fewer pounds in the same amount of space using approximately as much fertilizer.

November 12, 2016	#5
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	There are a few do-it-yourself recipes on this site for making your own mix. I believe one is supposed to adjust for the PH of the peat when doing so. I don't think it is a big cost-saver for me. Pro Mix in the bale that expands to four cubic feet is about $15 for me at Menard's. I add mycogrow and osmocote, and that's all.

November 12, 2016	#11
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 1,999	Bert - I'm in the same boat as you re: ProMix. There is one supplier close to where I live. I faithfully use it and it was $41 for a 3.x Compressed bale but since the election when growing medical marijuana was passed, it is now $48. Miracle Grow was $14-$15 so was no cheaper; just worse mix. I have a ton of perlite so bought a bale of peat moss from Lowes for $11. I have one empty EB so am going to try it. ---- BTW - I solarize the mix at the end of the season so do get multiple seasons with it.