I would go with 511. It is lighter, much less expensive, readily available,and easier to pot up from or bare root up from in the future. You will be able to carry a 30 gallon 511 tree more easily than a 15 gallon gritty mix tree.

be careful Steve for saying the gritty is heavy. Al scolded me for that. ;) Even thought thats precisely why I dont use it anymore. My 15 gallon trees are about 50-60 pounds when dry using a 5.1.1. type mix.

I was a little concerned about weight myself, already had back surgery once. My Meyer is currently in a 8" nursery pot. It is more of a bush than a tree. I am new to this but I didn't think a 10 gallon container would be required for such a small "tree". I have the stuff for gritty but a 80lb pot doesn't sound fun to move.

I am not sure if I want to use gritty or 511. I also don't want to repot every year either. How often to you repot with 511?? I live in the Midwest, so the tree will spend a lot of the year indoors.

My Tree is in a 30 gallon container and is a 5 foot tall bush. Last year I got here as an 18 inch tall sparse bush in a 7 gallon container. I will not be re-potting but will take a saw and trim the roots about 1 inch from the pots side walls every 3rd year.

Steve

Josh

I know what Al was saying. He seems to get a bit offended when anyone points out what is the downside or a situation where the Gritty mix may well not be the best or even an option. His argument is always what is best for the plant and I understand that but the plant isnt the only part of the equation. Then we are made to feel like we are jerks for not considering what is best for the plant.

If i had the products I would love to mix and equal amount of both mixes and see just what the weight differences actually are. I think it would be good for people to really see that.

Personally I quit suggesting soils types because of that. I just tell people to go to the container forum.

Side note. How are your trees doing? havent seen an update lately.

mike

Thanks, Mike. My trees are doing better than ever before. I finally have lemons on my variegated pink Eureka, and my Meyer is absolutely covered...to the point where I've already begun the fruit thinning process. I've been taking pictures, but not updating very often due to how busy I've been with work at school.

Carp, I make a 5-1-1 with uncomposted fir bark, and it lasts a *long* time. Not as long as the Gritty, but certainly 2 - 3 years. This is actually the 4th or 5th year that Moro has been in the same bark mix, and I finally need to re-pot.

Josh

The 5-1-1 last a lot longer then the time you should re pot. Jack

Coming from someone who uses the Gritty for about 10 trees right now, I'd say the 5-1-1 would be better... mainly for weight reasons. Although my biceps are the better for it....

If you're set on the Gritty, sub perlite for the granite. It makes a huge difference.

-Tom