I recently purchase a fig tree that was grown by Monrovia Nurseries. Examining the medium that Monrovia planted the tree in, it looked to be made up of 3 parts pecan shells, 1 part peat moss and 1 part sand (concrete size sand). Evidently Monrovia Nurseries has contracted with the pecan processing plants to purchase all of their waste shells. The medium has very good drainage. This must be an inexpensive medium for Monrovia. It will be interesting to see how long pecan shells last before degrading. This immediately brought to my mind, what about walnut, almond, hickory, macadamia, Brazil, pistachio, hazelnut, or butternut shells as a medium ingredient ? - Millet (246 BO-)

My first thought is that decomposers will use a lot of nitrogen to break down all that C material, thus making it unavailable to the plant

Ivan, your response is interesting, and one that should always be taken in account. Monrovia Nurseries, is among the very largest of commercial nurseries in the entire world. For many yeas they have shipped quality plants world wide. I would have to believe that before Monrovia would add any new medium ingredient into their production, that ingredient would first go through an extensive, if not an exhaustive, examination for it's qualifications before being added to their line. Monrovia Nurseries has over time earned an exceptionally high reputation in the agricultural industry. Millet (245 BO-)

I purchased two citrus plants this year from Monrovia and also noticed the shells. I was wondering what they were. Thank you Millet for solving the mystery for me:)

i have purchased potting material from a company in McCormick, SC that was made of a significant percentage of peanut shells, and I have noticed that several nurseries I buy from in Florida use rice hulls. Growers take advantage of any suitable material that is cheap and available locally in quantity.

Millet, they ship worldwide ?

That means also citrus to EU ???

Sanguinello, I don't believe anyone can ship citrus plants world wide.

http://www.monrovia.com/

pitty ...