HUMMM I think you should rewrite your question I have read it three times AND...I do not understand ...is it in a pot now or planted out in this mix or are you going to plant out or keep in pot...what is your actual soil like if you are going to plant out????????...I have NO idea from this post please illucidate it is not clear what you have done or asking ...David

hi sorry about that i guess you should not step away in the middle of writing something. OK i put my crimson queen in a container i planted it using a mix of miracle gro potting soil and a sandy top soil. Is miracle gro to stong of a potting soil for a japanese maple

there has been alot written on container soil here ...your choice is probably not the best...I doubt it will adversly hurt it in the short run but may compact and not be the best in the long run...Fertilizing JM's should only happen in early spring and MG has fertilizer ...that being said CQ's are pretty hardy and probably won't be hurt...here's the link to the gospel on containes ...I might take this with a small grain of salt since you are only doing one plant but it may give you a idea on how to augment your CQ maybe this fall if you are up for repotting ..I think some of this is a bit clinical and over the top for most folks but a hybrid use of this info may be useful to almost all of us and the basic logic behind it is correct IMHO!!!...whether you want to follow it to the tee is your choice or as I said maybe hybridize the jist of it which is what I would do unless you really want to "do" containers ...not just one...David

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/maple/msg112314383375.html?23

Miracle grow potting soil is highly peat based and I found it good for house plants where it can be kept moist easily. Outside it will dry up and shrink in the sun. I don't like it on its own.

However I have used the Miracle grow mixed with sand and compost for some Japanese maples, and it works very well. The maples thrive in this mixture so I think you are fine but we don't know exactly what your sandy topsoil contains. MG does have some fertilizer but when mixed up it is not too rich to be concerned about.

Hi,

Lately I've been trying to stay away from potting mixes with peat...at least for my maples. Peat, when it's bone dry is VERY difficult to moisten. Water will shed right off. Also, water will pool at the top and down the sides. The soil may look moist, but if you dig with your finger you'll find the soil underneath can still be very dry.

Lately I've been using Sun Gro Black Gold Cactus Mix for my maples. It's a combination of bark, forrest humus, earthworm castings and red cinder. It's easy to moisten...water goes straight down, has good drainage, good moisture retention and has good aeration because of the red cinder. I prefer the red or black cinder over pumice, perlite, sand, etc. because of the sharp edges which help root ramification.

Layne
ps, usual disclaimers apply. I don't work for or have any vested interest in Sun Gro Horticulture.

I haven't been real happy with Miracle Grow potting soils -- as other mentioned, too much peat. When I can find it, I always use MetroMix potting soils, which are commercial blends that use fine bark as their base. They drain very well and most plants seem to thrive on these mixes. I buy MetroMix in the largest bags available, 3-4 cubic feet, and they last me a while.

Im looking for whats best potting soil for bloodgood japanese maple.

Id like to know what potting soil mixture is best for repotting bloodgood japanese maple

LOL!! This is a 15 year old thread, filled with a lot of bad/outdated information. And most of the prior responders have long since left this site.

I assume you are asking about a soil mix for a container planting. Stay away from anything with the name Miracle Gro on the label! dawgie was the only responder with good information. I grow all my JM's in containers and I also use a bark based mix. As do most of the wholesale growers and specialty nurseries. The MetroMix mentioned above is decent, as is a similar Fafard product (same manufacturer) and a couple pf the ProMix formulas. Few other manufacturers make a heavily bark based potting media so I prefer to make my own. I use the 5-1-1 mix discussed at length on the Container Gardening forum: 5 parts pine or fir bark fines, 1 part perlite and 1 part peat or coir.

Can someone plz help me!!! I have a Japanese magnolia I've got to repot because when I bought it the tree is literally growing sideways. I was wondering can I pot it in Miracle Grow potting soil or I have a Miracle-Gro succulent Cactus soil what could I use somebody please help

Neither mix is particularly desirable. Reread some of the previous posts and take your guidance from that.