I do not grow roses at all, just wonder if 5.1.1 mix would be better for them? I like gritty mix and use it for all succulents and few other plants, but not plants in big pots because they get heavy. Are you planning on using only grit and turface? What proportions exactly?

I was going to use 1:1:1 of Pine bark, Screened Turface and Crushed Granite like the recipe said. I didn't think about the heaviness of the pots. My husband does use a dolly...but he may not be that happy with extremely heavy pots. I didn't want to do the 5:1:1 mix because the plants would have to get the mix changed every year. I can't do that with 60 rose pots. :)

Here is a picture of my pots from about 5 years ago.

Thanks!

Carol

You could add some coarse perlite to make it lighter, replacing some of the grit. It drains well and weights next to nothing. Depending how composted bark you use, it could last longer than 1 yr. I have few large plants that are going to be repotted first time after 3yrs. Personally, I would use more bark, and also lots of perlite (that's what I use for Brugmansias, figs, ficus Benjamina, bay leaf and few other big plants).

Sorry I don't know anything about growing roses, hopefully someone will post.

Oh! Well, that sounds good. So keep all of the ingredients, but use less grit and lots of perlite. Thanks. :)

Carol

You don't need to change out the 5-1-1 every year. I use this mix (or very close to it) for virtually all my permanent outdoor container plantings. I generally never bother with repotting until about the 3rd year (sometimes longer depending on the plant and size of the container), much like rina, and the soil is still in very good shape at that time.

Oh...that's good then. The soil will probably last longer here, since the growing season is shorter and the days not as hot. Thank you!! That will be much easier for my husband to wheel around...plus it just seems more natural (for my poor brain) than having all the rocks in there.

I'll look up the 5:1:1 mixture.

Thanks!

Carol

Thanks, Mike!! So nice to have such help here from everyone. :)

Carol

Okay, so this is what the soil place here can make for me.

20% Peat

20% ½” minus Pumice (rather then perlite, we stock perlite but the pumice is truly superior in our opinion unless you are trying to keep weight down?) Pumice is also significantly cheaper then Perlite.

60% Fir Fines – ours are ½” minus they will provide a good long lasting media

4kg of Zeolite (We don’t stock Gypsum currently – our supplier only sells it in 1 m3 quantities so it would be un economical to bring it in for that purpose.

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I asked for sphagnum peat moss, and he replied peat (above)....so I sent him a query on that. If it is sphagnum peat moss....what do you think of the total blend he's offering?

Thanks,

Carol

Sounds perfectly reasonable. And if you are in Canada, the peat will be sphagnum peat :-)

So the Zeolite is good? I've never heard of Zeolite. Should I still had gypsum on my own? Pumic is an okay substitute for perlite? Really? Interesting.

Thanks so much! This is really exciting!

Carol

Use the dolomite lime in place of gypsum......unless your soil guys already buffer the pH.

I was sure I explained what zeolite was and what it offered the mix.....maybe on another thread you have going with a similar topic?

Thanks, Gardengal

I'm not the swiftest at this stuff...so I thank you for your patience. :)

So just about a 1/4 cup of dolomite lime in a pot? If you scroll up, you can see the size of my pots.

Thanks again. :)

Carol

rosecanadian/Carol: hi, how are your roses doing in the 5-1-1 mix? I just ordered two DA roses and will be planting them in that mix. I'm a serious novice at this stuff. A few years ago, I attempted to grow rosemary and lavender in containers but that didn't go so well. I adore roses so I hope I'll have much success with the 5-1-1 mix and no root rot. I welcome any and all tips you can give me.

OT, do you guy over-winter your roses in containers inside ?

I've got my heart set of 3 DA rose trees....thinking I might try 2 in containers flanking the garage doors.

TraCami - that is so funny!!! (I don't mean this in a mean way) :) I'm in zone 3...we still have snow everywhere. :) My roses are sleeping in the garage. So I have no idea how the soil is doing. :) It still hasn't arrived here. I would love to hear though how the mix is going for you. Please keep me updated. :)

a1an - Yes, I overwinter my roses in the garage. It's quite easy. :) Which roses are you thinking about...and what zone are you in?

Carol

zone 7B, I have my eyes on DA rose trees. AFAIK they had a nursery change/switch. No 2018 DA Rose Trees. Maybe even 2019. So I wait like a dormant lion until the trees are available again. In the meantime, just some mild rose reading/homework. Don't know much about roses - other than many who say they are maintenance issues...

Ha! I told you I was a novice!!! I’m still learning the ropes which is why some of my questions sound silly, as in this case, and some of the threads I started. I’m just getting into this. Thanks for being nice about it and not rude in your response. Ok, so the roses are “dormant” in cold regions. Got it! I’ll most certainly let you know. I’m diving in and hoping I don’t kill the poor roses. Much success to you!

a1an - oh...once you've been bitten by the rose bug...there is no going back. I would definitely do a lot of research here. If you have questions...post a thread about it so that you get lots of answers!! I like your bit of poetry - "dormant lion."

TraCami - you too!! Remember to post questions that you have so people can help you. :)

Carol

rosecanadian Old thread, but have you been happy with the 511? I'm researching in advance for next year. I've only done one potted rose so far, in normal, but heavy, potting soil, it's very composty, did fine, but I moved it to a permanent home in the ground last week.

Next year I want a few that stay in pots for the deck.