Gritty Mix Transition Complete

11 years ago

{{gwi:354839}}
A couple days ago, I switched all 33 of these guys from potting soil + perlite to 1:1:1 gritty mix. I ended up going with Bonsai Jack's Bonsai Block rather than Turface, primarily because of the claim that Bonsai Block particles are more uniformly sized than Turface. I was eager to avoid Jessicasgrowincitrus's experience, where half the bag of Turface was wasted because it was too fine. I was pleasantly surprised when I sifted the Bonsai Block and found I had practically nothing to sift; there was barely a dusting on the bottom of my bucket after sifting the whole 3.5 gallons. The chicken grit was only slightly less uniform in size (I went with Manna Pro Poultry Grit), but next time I'd definitely go with pre-graded fir or pine bark fines rather than the Zoo Med ReptiBark that I used this time, as about a third of the bag was larger than a quarter inch. Not the worst problem to have, but now I have to find a good way to crush up the remainder without making a mess.{{gwi:354841}}

These plants are under 4 T8 bulbs for 16 hours a day, and with this setup they seem able to go 3 days before getting a little soft. Of course, I've read that as the roots grow to fill the pot and take advantage of the moisture farther from the base of the plant, they may become able to go longer. Being a diligent disciple of tapla, I'm also applying Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro and Pro-Tekt regularly. Here's hoping one of these babies flowers before their first year is up!

Edit: if that second picture appears upside down for you, please let me know, and tell me what browser you're using.

This post was edited by And_Pau_Bri on Tue, Nov 11, 14 at 19:07

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Comments (16)

rcharles_gw (Canada)
11 years ago
Nice looking stout plants. The Gritty mix is a good one, but it takes some getting used to for watering management.
Photo is upside down, but it would appear the same to anyone looking at it on this forum?
Rick
User
Original Author
11 years ago
For me, it's upside down when I look at the post on my phone, but right side up when I look at it on my laptop. Weird.
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
11 years ago
Great looking chunky plants (despite the upside down ones in the last pic, viewed via laptop). The mix looks spot on.

Gill UK
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
I think your mix looks great as well...

Strange... I was going to help you with your pic.. I copied it and when I viewed it in my photos, its corrected. Hmmmm.....

Hope this works..

Great job!!!

Laura

This post was edited by loveplants2 on Thu, Nov 13, 14 at 21:45
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
Ok... Just viewed this on cell and its upside down....
Strange...
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
Ok.. I hope it works..

Laura
User
Original Author
11 years ago
It's weird, right?! Apparently I just can't winÃ¢ÂÂ¦ Oh well.
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
It's corrected.. You did win!! It looks wonderful!!!

Great job on your mix !!! :-)

Laura
katiedolittle
11 years ago
Hi I'm new to gritty mix I have come by a gait that is 1/8 "in size all about the same size as the turface MVP is this grit ok to use if so what size pine bark would you use? this grit is all 1/8"there are no fines and nothing larger it is used to make glass and frack oil wells
User
Original Author
11 years ago
katiedolittle, I am by no means an expert, but it seems to me that if you were to use this grit, you would want to use it in place of the chicken grit, not in place of the turface. The reason is that turface - or calcined clay, essentially crushed-up bricks - is somewhat porous and holds a bit of water, whereas the grit/gravel does not; if you were to use chicken grit, this grit that you found, and bark fines, you might end up with a mix that doesn't hold enough water.

As for the size of pine bark, all the particles in gritty mix should be about the same size, so if your grit is 1/8", then your bark fines should be the same.

Everyone, please jump in if anything I'm saying is incorrect.
katiedolittle
11 years ago
Thanks and pau Bri. I had this message on another forum and Al answered my question all I need to do now is get bark to 1/8".
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
I think she IS substituting the silica gravel for crushed granite grit.

KD - the ideal for bark is 1/8-1/4.

Good luck.

Al
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
Hi!!

Bark for Gritty Mix can be between 1/4-1/8 inch in size !!

Hope this helps!!

Laura
katiedolittle
11 years ago
Thanks everybody I think I have everything right 1/8 grit screen turface with bug screen and bark to 1/8 to1/4 mixed 1-1-1 .i can not find dyna grow but will find it somewhere I could get chicken grit but I have a real good sorce of this 1/8" material for free
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
Are Laura and I in tune or what? ;-)

Look for the FP 9-3-6 at hydroponics stores or online.

Al
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
Al... I think you and I were hitting the enter button at the same time.. Maybe a few seconds faster.. Lol!! Ã°ÂÂÂ

Have a wonderful weekend!! Ã°ÂÂÂ

Laura