5-1-1 equals 5 parts pine bark finely shreaded-1 part perlite - 1 part compost or potting soil

Thanks! I am trying to get my meyer lemon as healthy as my tangerine tree. The meyer flowered and had tiny lemons but it lost them all. I'm going to try to get it going with some new soil. What about pine mulch? I already have 2 huge bags that ive been waiting to freshen up my blueberry bushes with. (obviously I would pick out the bigger pieces)

Here is the "official" recipe for the 5-1-1 mix:

5 parts pine bark fines - 3/8" (size is important)

1 part sphagnum peat (not reed or sedge peat please)

1-2 parts perlite (coarse, if you can get it)

garden lime (or gypsum in some cases)

controlled release fertilizer (if preferred)

Please note that the bark is in small nuggets, NOT shredded, and there is no mention of compost or potting soil in the mix. However, you can substitute a peat-based potting soil for just plain peat but I'd avoid any inclusion of compost.

This will help....Pic loaded and instructions

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3980557/i-did-a-huge-511-re-pot-today-and-wanted-to-share-and-ingredients?n=66

Thanks everyone! Compared to my tangerine dwarf, my meyer looks a little sad haha.

I found some pine nuggets at menards online. Ill get some tomorrow! as for the care of my meyer, let me throw it out there and you guys can correct me where its needed because I want a thriving tree!

-6+ hours of natural light through big glass door + 2 36 watt grow lights

-fertilizing with dyno-grow & fish emulsion

-pests are always removed with neem oil

-when moisture meter reads 2-3 i water

My tangerine & majesty palm are so stinking healthy its amazing. I just cant figure out why my meyer isnt thriving. It has got to be the soil. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I am going to pick up the ingredients for the 511 tomorrow.

Meyers are very sensitive to light levels. It may just be the change to indoor lighting. I have a few that have also partly defoliated. They should come back in the spring as I expect yours will. However, getting it into the 5-1-1 is a great idea. By the way, I just use Reptibark that I buy off Amazon....works great for the pine component.

I would never put compost or any type of bark in my soil, only on top. Peat moss, pumice, coarce sand, perlite and charcoal make up my soil.

Pine bark has been used in citrus soil pretty much forever.