Citrus Growers Forum

C4F · Posted: Sat 03 Apr, 2010 8:49 pm

I recently purchased Mulch Brick CHC mix from Ace Hardware for $4/cuft that was recommended by another on this forum. I was a little disappointed b/c the large majority of the mix is not in "chunk" form, like the Petsmart and Crystal Company mix pictures look. The majority is strand or single layered thin shapes (i.e. squares, not cubes). And only 7% of the mix are pieces 1/2" or less.

The breakdown of a random handful of mix is below. There are six categories (clockwise from top left) layered into segments flat (not stacked):
Out of 40 total Squares
Quarter+ : 3 (7%)
Quarter : 4 (10%)
Nickel: : 11 (29%)
Dime: : 3.5 (9%)
Strands (loose): 15.5 (38%)
Rect Strands : 3 (7%)

Zoom pictures of each section are here.

The stuff on the outside of the frame were very odd/rare pieces I wouldn't put in the mix (including what looks like a Core).

The Crystal Company is much more expensive at $55 / 6cuft (expanded) incld shipping.

BTW MILLET: I told the CC who recommended them and this forum. She was very curious saying she's getting a lot of Citrus people wanting it and even commented that you haven't even asked for credit ! Smile

Questions:
1 -- Are the strands useful in the mix?
2 -- 50% of the chunks are sized 3/4" and larger. I'd rather not use 4:2 adding so much more peat. What other options are there?
How about 4:1:1 of chc:peat:turface?

3 -- What are you thoughts on the mix?

Thanks

Millet · Posted: Sat 03 Apr, 2010 9:31 pm

The CHC that Crystal Company sells, has been washed, rinsed, and squeezed "dry", three times. I generally order enough bales at a time, so that I can have it shipped UPS 100-Weight, which is UPS's cheapest shipping rate. Crystals Co., chip size is very consistent, and their product has almost no fines. Recently, I have been transplanting some of my larger trees into 20 gallon Root Maker's air root pruning containers, using a 4:1 CHC/peat mix using only the larger 1-inch size chips. C4F, I don't know anything about Turface, as I have never used it. You could use the strands in place of the peat. - Millet (1,018-)

C4F · Posted: Sun 04 Apr, 2010 8:42 pm

Quote:

Recently, I have been transplanting some of my larger trees into 20 gallon Root Maker's air root pruning containers, using a 4:1 CHC/peat mix using only the larger 1-inch size chips

In various posts you recommend mostly 1/4" with some 1/2" and fewer 3/4" and upward. If your new 1" mix holds the same water as the smaller chunk mixture, that's good news for me!

Quote:

You could use the strands in place of the peat.

My OP picture is the same mix as this one where you recommended use a 4:2 ratio with more peat. My pic is just separated out for better visual. You think it's OK as-is then?

Long Single Strands of CHC Fiber
I'd like some input/education on using the long single strands above as a replacement for peat. I can understand how COIR is a replacement, but from what I'm witnessing the chc strands hold minimal water and also cause large macro pores between mix components (whereas peat absorbs water and sits in gaps reducing macro pores). The single strands do not provide much surface area, therefore water's cohesive properties make it bead up, rather than saturate -- there are visible beads everywhere on strands even when the mix is soaking wet. Since they are long and wrap around a lot, resisting compaction, like a bunch of folded wire hangers would do in a CHC mix. My wonder is this: a handful of wet strands vs. a handful of wet peat are very different in the above ways.

Using Calcined Clay / Oil Dri / Napa / Diatamaceous Earth
Has anyone used this in their CHC mix, for example instead of peat? I see posts of a few saying they were going to try it. Any success, like is the particle size too small and therefore they fall to the bottom of the container?

I know they absorb water quickly, much faster than CHC and peat do. I'm hoping they will provide that fast absorption needed during top watering, and then give it up to CHC when it's needed.

AT Hagan?

Millet · Posted: Mon 05 Apr, 2010 12:04 am

C4F, The reason peat moss is added, is to both slow down the water pass through, and for some additional absorption. Straight, CHC has a pass through so fast, that the chip does not have enough time to absorb the liquid. I have some smaller trees in just pure 1/4 inch chips, but I normally water/fertilize them by soaking in a larger container. Most of my 3 to 5 gallon trees are in a CHC blend of 1/4 and 1/2 inch with peat. When using the smaller size CHC chips (mostly on smaller trees in smaller containers), I normally adhere to the 4:1 CHC/peat blend. However, even 4:2 mixes should be fine. For larger trees lately I have been using only 1 inch chips with peat, which seems to work very well. I transplanted a 7-foot Clementine yesterday into an expandable 30-gallon air root pruning container, using only 1-inch chips. I just eye balled the peat moss which probably turned out to be some where between a 4:1 to a 4:2 mix. The larger the chip, the longer it will take before it breaks down enough, that the tree needs to be transplanted into a new medium. In a lot of cases it is more of an art than a science. - Millet (1,017-)

Mark_T · Posted: Sun 12 Sep, 2010 5:44 am

Millet, what do you if you find the mix too is light on peat or coir after the fact. I've used coir and peat and I think my mixes need more peat. Would adding it to the top of the chc and working it in be adequate? Or do I need to take the trees out and remix completely?

citrange · Posted: Sun 12 Sep, 2010 5:57 pm

Another factor in potting mixes is the grade of peat which can vary greatly. For instance, here in the UK we can buy Shamrock brand Irish Moss peat which comes in six grades from superfine to coarse.
See http://www.bnm.ie/files/hort/20090326122307_Professional%20Brochure.pdf
Anyone got any opinions on which grade is best to mix either with CHC or chipped barks???

danero2004 · Posted: Tue 14 Sep, 2010 4:49 pm

I would choose the

"Nursery Stock
PRODUCT CODE: 9027
•Sphagnum Moss Peat: 0 - 14mm 50%
• Sphagnum Moss Peat: 6 - 12mm 25%
• Sphagnum Moss Peat: 10 - 25mm 25%
• Nutrients added (mg/l):

• pH Range: 5.0 - 5.5
• Conductivity SC Range: 500 - 700
• AFP (Air Filled Porosity) Range: 15% volume approx.
Coarse structured growing medium with high air capacity for potting on long
term nursery stock crops in containers > 2 litres"

air porosity is highest on this one , and this is very good