Citrus Growers Forum

Darkman · Posted: Fri 31 Dec, 2010 11:29 pm

Millet wrote:

the number one potting soil mixture used is 3 parts ground pine (or other conifer bark), plus 1 part peat moss, and 1 part concrete sand. - Millet (745-)

What is the minimum and maximum size on the ground Pine Bark?

The "peat moss" you refer to is the product that actally looks like Moss and not the solid ground up bale stuff right?

What we have here in Pensacola advertised as Peat Moss, sometimes referred to as milled spahgnum moss, comes by the cubic foot and is a ground up almost dust like consistency.

_________________
Charles in Pensacola

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Millet · Posted: Sat 01 Jan, 2011 12:40 am

The pine bark that most nurseries use is a mixed run between 1/4 to 1/2+- inch. The peat moss is the regular fine ground moss that is sold by the cubic foot. The reasons that this blend is the favorite of many commercial nurseries is because it is: 1). First and foremost INEXPENSIVE; 2). Readily available in large quantities; 3).Easily reproducible; 4). Uniform, 5); Provides good cation exchange capacity; 6). Good aeration, water holding capacity, and density; 7). Lasts for at least 1 year. Most nurseries also incorporate a 19-5-9 or similar slow release fertilizer which is the most practical, and in the long run, most ECONOMICAL, clearly the lest polluting, and will continue to meet the needs of the tree for 9 or more months. - Millet (745-)

Darkman · Posted: Sat 01 Jan, 2011 6:48 pm

Millet wrote:

The pine bark that most nurseries use is a mixed run between 1/4 to 1/2+- inch. The peat moss is the regular fine ground moss that is sold by the cubic foot. The reasons that this blend is the favorite of many commercial nurseries is because it is: 1). First and foremost INEXPENSIVE; 2). Readily available in large quantities; 3).Easily reproducible; 4). Uniform, 5); Provides good cation exchange capacity; 6). Good aeration, water holding capacity, and density; 7). Lasts for at least 1 year. Most nurseries also incorporate a 19-5-9 or similar slow release fertilizer which is the most practical, and in the long run, most ECONOMICAL, clearly the lest polluting, and will continue to meet the needs of the tree for 9 or more months. - Millet (745-)

Having said that though it sounds like it is great for annuals and plants that will be placed in the ground sooner than later BUT if you are containerizing for the long haul the CHC is the best way to go. I'll have to see if that is sold here.

_________________
Charles in Pensacola

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Millet · Posted: Sat 01 Jan, 2011 11:29 pm

Yes, for a tree that is going to spend its life in a container CHC would last a lot longer then pine. However, pine is OK for a commercial nursery. The standard rule for all *good* nursery operations is (not all nurseries have high commercial standards), ------- Either sell the tree in the first year, if not transplant the tree into a larger container, or throw the tree away. - Millet (744-)