While searching for information on bagasse, I came across this article from the University of Florida. , and it is very informative. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/CN004
I could get all of the bagasse I want for free, but it turns out that it is not a good choice. However, it looks like cypress is a good choice and I can get it for $1 per cubic foot. Have any of you tried cypress? Ok, I know that CHC is the best, but the cost of this stuff would cut into my beer allowance.

CHC is more expensive at the outset, but I bought a bale, and im going to have a hard time using it all.

its also not to supposed to break down, so you could put it in a colander or something and wash it out if youre changing things up.

good luck!

If your talking about wood from Bald Cypress it would be fine to use. Bald Cypress has a high carbon to nitrogen ratio, however, it is slow to break down. - Millet

Millet
I am definitely not opposed to using CHC but here is what I am facing to switch three potted citrus trees. All of my other trees are ingound.
Robert’s Flower
CHC bale-$30
Shiping-$19
Packaging $3
Total $52
Domolite $6
STEM $75---Sounds high but this is what I was quoted.
Total $133 divided by three = $44.30 per tree
Could I use Miracid with elements as an alternative to the STEM and fertilizer? If this is a possibility then the cost would be much more reasonable.
Karl

Karl:
Try here:

Someone bought here a long time ago and here's what he said:

The Crystal Company has a toll-free number 800-845-4777 coco husk
314-966-5999)to see what I paid for the coconut husks. a 7-cubic foot compressed bale was $23.00 and the shipping via ups was $15.00

Karl, I would not use Miracid. My recommendation would be to use Osmocote 17-7-12 slow release fertilizer. If you can't find 17-7-12 you should easily be able to find Osmocote 19-7-12 at almost any garden center, or at Home Depot. I purchase STEM in large quantities, and would be happy to send you some. My cost is $1.98 per pound. I can send you a 5-LB. bottle for $9.90 plus postage, or a 1-LB. bottle for $2.50 (that would pay for the bottle and lid). The postage should be only a few dollars. You would use 252 grams (9 oz.) Osmocote blended into one cubic foot of growth medium, or just follow the label recommendation for applying evenly over the top of the "soil." Plus 25-grams (1-Oz.) STEM and 52 grams (2-Oz) dolomite per the one cubic foot of growth medium. - Millet

You should be able to find this @ Home depot. I have been using it all season with great results... 12-5-8 plus all the minors.



http://www.vigoro.com/SpectrumBrands/Templates/ProductHomeTemplate.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fProductCategories%2fPlantFood%2fPremiumCitrusAvocadoFood%2f&NRNODEGUID=%7b189F0A2E-A415-4A10-AAD6-2A4D20444DD4%7d&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest

Millet
Thanks, that’s very generous of you. I will PM you tomorrow to make arrangements. The STEM was the deal breaker for going with CHC.
If you look at it over a 5 year period as garnethmoth , you and others have stated then it is probably as cheap or cheaper to go with CHC.

Benny, The Crystal Company was $55 for the bale, shipping included

Laaz, Yes I saw the Vigero at Home Depot. I pick up some there.

Thanks everyone for the help.
Karl

In my area, I have only seen the Vigoro at Lowes.


Im going to have to private message you Millet, i didnt need the 5-lb thing of stem, but 1-lb would rock.

ive started using organics ive mixed and i havent killed anything yet, but im sure STEM would help.

I got a small bag of trace minerals at Ace Hardware here in Pensacola. I think it was about $6 for 2-3 lbs. I will go get the bag and post more details.

Skeet

The bag is labled "Essential Minor Elements" --it contains:

8.5% Mg (water soluble)
8.0% S as free S
0.025% Boron
not more that 1% CL
0.25% Cu (soluble)
4.0% Fe (Soluble--0.1% chelated)
2.5% Mn (soluble)
0.002% Mo
1.0% Zn (soluble)

It was actually 5 lbs. Packaged by Southern Agricultural Industries, Inc.

There is no price on the bag, but I am pretty sure it was $6.++

Skeet

Here is the trace mineral values for S.T.E.M. (Soluble Trace Mineral Mix)

Sulfur 13.0%
Boron .025%
Iron 7.50 5
Copper 2.3%
Manganese 8.0%
Molybdimum .04%
Zinc 4.50%

For Magnesium add Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate).
Millet

Garnetmonth or anyone else on this forum that would like STEM (Soluble Trace Element Mix) just send me a private message. I would be happy to send you a 1-LB. or 5-LB jar of STEM at my cost plus the postage. - Millet

One more question about CHF if you don’t mind.
How big a jump or increase in container size can you make when transplanting with CHC? What I mean is that I have graduated to 10 gallon containers with my trees and my next step was going to be a 16-20 gallon size. After this stage I was going to go all the way to my final 30 gallon containers. Is it possible with CHC to skip the 16-20 gallon and go with the 30, or is this just too big a jump?
Karl

Karl I don't play by the rules, but have never had a problem. As long as you don't keep the roots over moist you shouldn't have a problem no matter what medium you use.

I put most of my small plants right into 7 gal. pots. For me they seem to grow quite a bit faster with plenty of room for the roots to expand.

Where you run into trouble is when you keep the soil wet, rotting the roots.

I have a lemon tree I planted from seed & put in a 15 gal pot of heavy clay based soil right after it germinated. I is almost two years old now & over 9 ft tall. It outgrew the pot so I planted it in the yard this summer...