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zucchini_gw

soil block???

17 years ago

Can't get soiless mix yet...ready to pot up my tomatoes to the next size container. Anyone use SOIL BLOCK.>>prem coir potting soil? made of coconut fibre and peat???

Can I use this instead of soiless mix?? You mix it with water to break it down..Need info before I go ahead, don't want to wreck any plants...thanks ..martha/zucchini

Comments (4)

  • 17 years ago

    Don't know anything about that product name but coir is good.
    You won't wreck any plants. I use coir all the time (mixed
    with other stuff) and one advantage is it holds together
    so that when you transplant you will get the whole root
    system out of the cup, not leaving any behind.
    I would go ahead and use it and not worry.

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks Sneezer...

    I now want to ask what else do you put into the mix?
    I transplanted a few today, the mixture is odd..it holds some water and when it is too much it leaks out...which i guess helps the plants from being too wet, just hope they don't dry out if I am away for two days!! thanks again,
    Martha/zucchini

  • 17 years ago

    Actually I make my own mix using Miracle Gro Moisture
    Control potting soil. Your description of the SOIL BLOCK
    sounds about the same. Just for reference, the MG has a
    little perlite in it and a lot of ground up wood waste
    but it's a pretty decent product if a little expensive.
    I then mix it about half and half with Hyponex potting
    soil, which is the most disgusting, heavy stuff I can find.
    If you can't find it the cheapest potting soil available
    is OK. Now I'm not saying I like this stuff but I use it
    for one quality and that is its heaviness. Mixed with the
    MG it provides a soil that holds together and prevents
    the root system from breaking apart when transplanted
    again. Then I add some more coir, which you can buy in
    blocks. Your SOIL BLOCK, if you need to reconstitute it
    with water may have enough coir in it. Yes, the mix should
    leak some water after it is done absorbing what it wants
    but the coir holds quite a bit and portions it out to the
    plants as they need it. A two-day absence? That would
    depend on how big the plants are. If they are still small
    you can water them well just before you leave and when you
    get back, they will be just fine. As they get older and
    bigger, they start to transpire more and they will drink
    a lot of water in just one day. Mine are under bright lights
    though, so it may make a difference. You may be
    able to judge by how much water they are using each day
    to know how far you can press it. If they are using a lot of
    water each day and seem dry before you water, you may
    want to ask someone to come in and check.
    Good Luck!

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks, sneezer...

    When I pot them up again to the larger containers, hopefully next month, i will use soiless mix. I don't add anything chemical to my soil as garden organically....they are under shop lights now,one warm one cool...and the few I transplanted looked good when I left them this morning...I will get home again tomorrow night. This has been my usual routine over the years, and they do ok, even if the get thirsty...was just not sure of this coir stuff. but it looks ok...thanks again...martha/zucchini
    I can't plant anything outside (except peas) until June...so it's a long wait and watching them grow indoors is great.