Hello all. I was thinking of new soil mix for my containers for my pepper plants. Now I won't be using Vermiculite anymore due to my climate (Zone 7b 5-10 (F). I was thinking of the 5-1-1 container mix. Now I can get pine easily since i live here in NC. is it pine bark fines or pine bark mulch for the 5 parts? Or is it triple ground pine bark fines that is the key? Also i could up the peat moss to 2 parts with 2 parts perlite? Or does anyone else have a good mix for my containers? I need excellent drainage and excellent aeration but also good moisture retention. Thanks!
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container Looking for new ideas for new container mixes
- Thread starter Codeman
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With Al Tapla's 5-1-1 Container Mix mix that schedule is probably close and there is plenty of pepper specific help here.> Pepper Specific 5-1-1 threadsÂCodeman said:
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pine bark will vary by supplier. you don't want large chunks usually found in mulch.
aeration / water retention will depend mostly on the size of your pine.
you can change the mix to add more of whatever. it is not too much like rocket science it's ok to experiment some.
instead of 2 peat you could add some earthworm castings.
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i have moved on from pine bark / 5-1-1 because coco coir is easier for me to find and is very similar.
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finally if you want a veteran container growers mix with proven video results can always checkout cableguy's youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5pXu19-o1w
aeration / water retention will depend mostly on the size of your pine.
you can change the mix to add more of whatever. it is not too much like rocket science it's ok to experiment some.
instead of 2 peat you could add some earthworm castings.
Â
i have moved on from pine bark / 5-1-1 because coco coir is easier for me to find and is very similar.
Â
finally if you want a veteran container growers mix with proven video results can always checkout cableguy's youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5pXu19-o1w
you'll have to test it. ewc / mushroom compost / pine fines will all vary by supplier you use.Â
What could work for me would not work for you..
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Go ahead buy the stuff you want. mix a small amount of it into a solo cup or a pot then pour water in it. see how long it takes to drain.. how much water it holds. wait a few days see how long it takes for it to dry out... you want it to drain fast and (within 30 seconds) and to start drying out within a couple days.( will dry out faster when there is a plant in there drinking the water)
What could work for me would not work for you..
Â
Go ahead buy the stuff you want. mix a small amount of it into a solo cup or a pot then pour water in it. see how long it takes to drain.. how much water it holds. wait a few days see how long it takes for it to dry out... you want it to drain fast and (within 30 seconds) and to start drying out within a couple days.( will dry out faster when there is a plant in there drinking the water)