Tomorrow

13 years ago

Hello all. I know the 5-1-1 mix has been discussed ad-nauseum but tomorrow I plan on replanting my five citrus and want to make sure I have the "right" recipe down before I purchase and go through with the repot. This is what I have:

The 5:1:1 mix:

5 parts pine bark fines (partially composted fines are best)
1 part sphagnum peat (not reed or sedge peat please)
1-2 parts perlite
garden lime (or gypsum in some cases)
controlled release fertilizer (if preferred)

Big batch:
2-3 cu ft pine bark fines
5 gallons peat
5 gallons perlite
2 cups dolomitic (garden) lime (or gypsum in some cases)
2 cups CRF (if preferred)

Is this what (verbatim) all of you use? I am in zone 5 and not sure about the lime/gypsum preference. I've got issues with scale and gnats and pretty sure my Ocean Forest soil and Dr. Earth fertilizer is causing it, so I am switching to the 5-1-1 and foliage pro.

Is this the right mix above?

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Comments (7)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years ago
That's the right mix :-)

Dolomitic Garden Lime is what you want for 5-1-1.
Add 1 Tablespoon per gallon of mix that you make.

Screen the bark over a 1/2 inch screen/grid to remove the largest bark pieces. I also prefer to screen/rinse my Perlite so that I have only particles larger than 1/16 of an inch.

Josh
Citrus-Steve
Original Author
13 years ago
Awesome. Thanks for the prompt reply. One question about PH. I live in Salt Lake City and our water, I believe, is 8.5+ and very hard. I'm using Foliage Pro for fertilizer. Should I add foliage pro to water and THEN test? How much vinegar per gallon should I add to get PH down around 6?
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meyermike_1micha
13 years ago
Hello Josh!

What about test strip for pH, can you get any?

I have to add one bottle capful per gallon with my tap water at a pH of 8.5.

I don't do it every time I water, but once or twice a month lately and it seems fine although a couple of gardenia could use it more often.

Graet job on the 5.1.1...By the way, you'll see how much you love using that mix!

Mike
Citrus-Steve
Original Author
13 years ago
I believe you. My citrus have seemed to hit a plateau and could use some fine tweaking. I think 86'ing the Dr. Earth, adding the new mix, implementing a consistent Foliage-Pro routine and picking up some rosemary oil may prove to be a winning combination. Gonna add the capful of white vinegar per gallon and get some strips to see if that levels it out. Thanks Mike and Josh.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years ago
Hey, Mike!

Hey, Steve! Test your water before Foliage Pro, and test your water with Foliage Pro added. Then start adding white vinegar until your solution pH is somewhere between 5.0 and 6.0 (5.2 - 5.8 being the target range for which we aim).

Like Mike, I don't acidify my water for every watering; but when my plants start to look dull, I could swear it brightens them up.

Josh
Citrus-Steve
Original Author
13 years ago
Josh and Mike. Thank you both for the helpful information. I am repotting tomorrow and looking forward to the new mix.
baconquest
13 years ago
Steve,

Just went through an emergency re-potting myself, for the pine bark, I used Timberline Pine Bark Mulch, screened though a 1/2 chicken wire (both available at home depot or lowes!). If the bag is really composted, you can cut back a bit on the peat, I only used about 1/2 gal for my 5 gal mix. Good luck and I look forward to hearing your results!