mixing citrus soil

18 years ago

It has been said that mixing just about anything together weather it be bark, sand, perlite and or potting mix with the above is good for citrus. BUt when making ones own soiless mix do u have to add any type of conditioner or additive such as dolomite, lime. gypsum and so on. Or can one just mixes soiless ingrediants together, plant the citrus tree and then fertilze as u go along?

I have pumice, bark, perlite, potting soil, redwood shavings, volcanic rocks, sand , and so on. I could make a great soil with all this , but do I have to watch fro ph or anything else..I also have peat and coco coir but hate to use peat because it holds to much water and breaks down to easily...Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks so muchlol

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Comments (5)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
18 years ago
First of all, remember that wood shavings are not a terrific component for a stable, durable potting mix. They have a very high percentage of cellulose, which breaks down quickly. Use plenty of conifer BARK fines, instead. My preferred potting mix consists of bark, perlite, and Turface.

Dolomite is calcium and magnesium. Lime is calcium. Gypsum is calcium and sulfur. Most potting mixes require a calcium product additive of some kind, and the dolomite is the best for citrus. How much you'll need depends upon the ratio of the other ingredients you use.

You'll probably want to add about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of dolomite per cubic foot of mix. Use a fertilizer that has minor elements.
meyermike_1micha
Original Author
18 years ago
Thankyou rhizo!!! Thanks for this sugestion. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Your thoughts are really apprieciated...Take care for now:-)
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
18 years ago
In addition to what Dori said: It's possible to take a long list of ingredients like yours which would otherwise appear to be perfectly fine on a "stand alone" basis (though you have some I wouldn't use - namely the sand and shavings), and combine them to produce an unusable soil. I too, embrace the KISS method when it comes to building soils & use as few ingredients as it takes to properly do the job.

Also, there is practically no difference in the water holding capacity or the water release curve between coir and peat. Coir does compact easier/more quickly than peat, and it has a higher pH - something I would probably consider a disadvantage for citrus - and you need to watch for the possibility of a high soluble salts content in coir.

Al
meyermike_1micha
Original Author
18 years ago
:-). Hi Al, good to see u. I hope this finds you in better health these days. I was responding to an older thread, to thank rhizo for taking the time to respond. I am bad, I think I might of asked for help from other members in the past and never got to thank this community and this forum. . But I will tell you, since you have been a great help with ur suggestions and experience, I think I am all set for now ,for a long time to come with my soil requirements.. Can't wait to see how your soiless mix works for me! I will let you know about all the results...:-). Why even the Grower of a popular greenhouse here likes your IDEA...:-) ..I willyou keep informed.. Thanks for everything Al, and other members.:-) I will keep in touch.
meyermike_1micha
Original Author
18 years ago
One more thing....Thanks unconfusing me on coir, I almost was going to use it...:-)