Potting Soil Recipes and Soil Reconditioning
Here is a listing of the different types of potting soils and what they are used for. If you would like to find information on recondition your BACKYARD SOIL, please select the link. Be sure to come on back now...
GARDEN LOAM POTTING SOIL
- Pass the garden loam through a 1/4 in (0.6 cm) sieve
- Warm oven to 180 degrees F (82 C) for 10 minutes
- Place on center rack
- Place foil over tray and make sure the soil reaches the above temperature. Use a meat thermometer
Potting soils using garden loam
Potting soils should be placed through a sieve of the defined size:
Loam=3/8 in (1 cm)
Peat=3/8 in (1 cm)
Sharp Sand=1/8 in (3 mm) NOTE: do not use builder sand. Make sure the same is washed thoughly
JI #1 Base
- 7 parts sterilized loam
- 3 parts peat
- 2 parts sand or grit
- Fertilizer: 4 oz / 8 gallons (3 grams / liter)
- Lime or chalk: 3/4 oz / 8 gallons ( 0.5 grams / liter)
JI #2 Base: Same as 1 but double the Fertilizer and chalk
JI #3 Base: Same as 1 but triple the Fertilizer and chalk
JI Seed compost: The fresher the sterilization, the better the germination
- 2 parts sterilized loam
- 1 part moss peat
- 1 part sharp sand
The loam and peat is put through in 3/8 in (9mm) sieve.
To each bushel or 8gal(36 L) is added:
- 1-2 oz (42gm) superphosphate
- 1/2 oz Potassium nitrate
- 4-6 oz (21gm) ground limestone
Ericaceous Mix: Use the base but leave out the Lime
Soilless: 3 parts peat and 1 part sand
Potting Compost: (same as above)
- 7 parts sterilized loam
- 3 parts moss peat
- 2 parts sharp sand
The loam and peat is put through a 3/8 in (9mm) sieve.
To each bushel (8gal/36l) is added
- 3/4oz (21gm) ground limestone
- 4oz (110gm) 14-14-14 Osmocote
This makes John Innes Potting Compost No. 1.
For a richer mix simply double the quantity of
John Innes Base to make No. 2 or treble it to
make No.3
Orchid Mix
- 1 part peat moss
- 6 parts fir bark
- 1 part medium grade charcoal
Cacti Mix
- 1 part compost
- 3 parts pumice or grit
- 1 part coarse builders sad
- 1 part of fine silt
Seed Starting #2
- 4 parts peat
- 2 parts perlite
- 2 parts vermiculite
Alpines
- 9 parts coarse sand
- 5 parts peat
- 4 part pumice
Pumice is also used as the top dressing and to provide extra bottom drainage. Provide encapsulated slow-release fertilizer with minor trace elements once a year and repot yearly.
Shade Mix
George Schenk's recipe for the ideal soil for growing plants in shade.
- 1 part humus (compost, peat, leaf mold, etc.)
- 1 part sand
- 2 parts loamy soil (builder's or riverside)
Blend in the above ratio. He further recommends screening both the humus and the soil so as to eliminate "roots, clods or rocks larger than a bantam's egg."
Cutting mix
- 1 part peat
- 1 part sharp sand
A. Knutson mixes
Cuttings: I use composted manure mixed with sawdust to root cuttings in -- it works great; don't need rooting hormones.
I use a a 50:50 vermiculite/peat mix to start seeds
Transplants and containers: 1/3 composted manure, 1/3 sandy loam, 1/3 peat moss
CORNELL MIXES
From Hobby Greenhouses in Alberta
Agdex 731-5
The Cornell peat-Lite Mix* is formulated for growing topical plants. The Foliage Plant Mix ** and the Epiphytic Mix** formulas are adapted specifically for their respective plant types and are modifications of the original peat-lite mix.
Cornell has used Osmocote 14-14-14 and Peters 14-7-7 fertilizers with the tropical plant mixes with good results. Other fertilizers are omitted with the exception of dolomitic limestone and 20 per cent superphosphate which are added to adjust the pH and to maintain adequate phosphorus levels. A trace element mix is added to assure a balance of minor elements. Trace element mixes can be purchased from specialty gardening centers.
* "Cornell Tropical Plant Mixes" by Russel C. Mott
**L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Cornell Peat-lite Mix
Mix 1/2 cubic meter each of sphagnum peat moss and perlite or vermiculite. Add 6kg dolomitic limestone, 2.4 kg ammonium nitrate, 1.5 kg superphosphate, and 0.3 kg potassium chloride (omit if using vermiculite).
Cornell Foliage Plant Mix
The Cornell Foliage Plant Mix was developed for those plant that need a growing medium with high moisture-retention characteristics. Plants having a fine root system or possessing many fine root hairs are included in this group.
| Material |
1 cubic meter |
| Sphagnum peat moss (screened 1/2 inch mesh) |
0.5 |
| Horticultural vermiculite (No. 2) |
0.25 |
| Perlite (medium grade) |
0.25 |
| Ground dolomitic limestone |
4.9 kg |
| Superphosphate 20% (powdered) |
1.2 kg |
| Fertilizer (10-10-10) |
1.6 kg |
| Iron sulfate |
0.4 kg |
| Potassium nitrate (14-0-44) |
0.6 kg |
| Granular wetting agent |
0.9 kg |
Cornell Epiphytic Mix
The Cornell Epiphytic Mix was developed for plants that require good drainage, aeration and have the ability to withstand drying between warterings. Plants having coarse, tuberous, or rhizomatous roots are in this category.
| Material |
1 cubic meter |
| Sphagnum peat moss (screened 1/2 inch mesh) |
0.33 |
| Douglas, red or white fir bark* (about 0.5 cm size) |
0.33 |
| Perlite (medium grade) |
0.25 |
| Ground dolomitic limestone |
4.2 kg |
| Superphosphate 20% (powdered) |
2.7 kg |
| Fertilizer (10-10-10) |
1.5 kg |
| Iron sulfate |
0.3 kg |
| Potassium nitrate (14-0-44) |
0.5 kg |
| Granular wetting agent |
0.9 kg |
* Fir bark comes from Douglas fir, white or red fir, or redwood, ground and screened to a definite size. Finally ground bark (about 0.5 cm) has a dry weight of about 200 g per liter cube. Fresh bark has a pH of about 5.0. Upon weathering, it becomes slightly more alkaline. The bark contains some nutrients, but these will not meet the requirements of growing plants.
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