It looks good. Is it composted? Where did you get it?

Nancy, harray!!!! I knew you would find some near your area. I have a feeling a few from here live near Western Ma. and would go there in a heart beat for some of that!

I myself have a couple just like that I picked up at Agway!

I do have a choice to use it as is with juts adding per lite, or I would sift the fines out, the very small fines with a bug screen or a seave, and put the bark aside. Take 5 parts of that bark, add back one part of the very fine pieces, and then one part per lite.

Lucky you, you got the perfect bark and I hope you got plenty of it!!! Don't forget to add the lime too.

Can we see the finished results my friend?

Nice!

Looks great! Really good. I wouldn't bother screening if the largest pieces shown are indeed the largest. If it was any finer, I might increase the bark fraction by 1 part and maybe increase the perlite to 1.5 parts, so you'd have 6:1:1.5, bark:peat:perlite. Honestly though, I think 5:1:1 would be an excellent starting point. Don't forget the lime.

Al

Vladimir, I got it at Kelly's, it's a Home & Garden center. Which part of the state are you in? You or someone else may want to call the bark supplier to see if it's sold nearby. Website for more info: http://www.fingerlakesmulchandsoil.com/bagged/mulch

Mike, thanks. Of course my dear friend, I'll post pics as I go along.... did a small batch first just incase. Glad you found some too :) Isn't this the best bark product ever! I get what you mean by the optional sifting, maybe I skip that next time.

Al, thank you, so happy to see you here & hope you are feeling better! The bark only had very few large pieces that I easily broke up with my fingers to make it more uniform. I sifted this test batch to see how it looked, but agree sifting is probably not needed. I'd say it was about 75-80% of the perfect size bark and 20-25% of the fines.

Did a small test batch (5 cups bark, 1 cups leftover bark fines & 1 cup perlite which I sifted to remove the dust)

Mixed up:

closer:

For the bigger batch, I want to use the orange container (which equals 12 cups) to measure the 511. I don't know how much lime to use. How much do you suggest?

Thanks again!

-Nancy

Nancy, that bark looks great! Happy you found some :).

Al, I forgot to add the lime to a few of my trees - can I work it in the top 3-4 inches of the pot or just wait until I pot up?

K - How would you rate your trees' vitality? What fertilizer are you relying on?

.... begging a pardon for the cross-talk, Nancy.

Al

What component of the 5-1-1 requires the addition of lime. Is the lime needed for ph PH adjustment or is something missing.

Steve - the peat moss would need the lime. By itself when wetted, the aqueous solution from it would have a pretty acid pH in the ~4.5 range!

Thanks Al for the kind words & lime amount!

The extra lime talk may be a blessing... because if I stick to using the bark's fines (dust) then I won't need the lime?

Nancy, I always wonder what I would do without Al in more ways than one here! He is and will always be appreciated by me. I trust his expertise with my plants with everything he has done here and with all the success his plants have proven to me in pics!

Oh and great job by the way! People would kill for bark like that, well at least they use too and their plants are thriving because of it. if you get anymore trees, please fill us in. I am sure the citrus bug is about to bite you now. lol

I know you live mighty close to Logees. I'd pick up a few there. Now that you can grow a citrus tree as successful as you do here with this mix, you can grow just about anything. Be careful you don't over spend there.lol

Al, please continue to be a part of this forum. I can promise you that if you keep making the time, you and many here/ roots included, will be richly blessed. Anyone here who wants to understand water in a container should look at those links. Thank you.

Mike

Sorry, not trying to hijack your post, Nancy! I don’t use peat in my mix, only bark (and fines) and perlite. I forgot to add the lime to my newest trees, but they all arrived healthy, save for a Zagara Bianca lemon that has a bad case of chlorosis. Thanks for your time, Al!

No worries Kelley, it seems we have made the same mix :)

Mike, I live as close to Logee's as you, lol.... they are worth the 1.5 hr drive! I have a list of citrus and other plants to look at and ya know I'll be tempted by other beautiful plants. Ohh my heavens!

Bumping for my lime question above.

Darn! I answered that question, but I see my reply never made it to the thread. Happening a LOT lately.

Small batches: use 1 tbsp/ gallon of 5:1:1

Larger batches: 1/2 cup/cu ft

Recipes toward the end of the OP on this thread.

Al

Hi Al, the amount I understand but I should have repeated the question to be clear of what I am confused about. If I stick to using the bark's fines (dust) then I won't need the lime? Above mentions that the peat moss is what needs the lime. Just wanted to check before repotting three new citrus trees. Thanks so much Al! :)

Peat and bark both have a pH low enough that they need adjusting for all but a relatively few plants.

From my notes:

Properties of Conifer Bark:

Very high P and sufficient K

Deficient Ca, Mg, and S

Sufficient micro-nutrients, except for B and Zn

Potentially high Fe:Mn ratio

Bark is often used as a media component to increase the air porosity within a mix. Some bark fragments contain up to 43% internal porosity, from which roots can absorb water. Pine bark, which is acidic in nature, also has a low initial fertility, an important characteristic of growing media. Composted bark has a higher cation exchange capacity than raw bark and suppresses pathogenic fungi. Fresh pine or softwood bark usually has an initial pH range of 4.0 - 5.0; as pine bark ages, the pH does not increase appreciably.

Al

Nancy , you might enjoy reading this because Al made some very good points about using 'lime'.

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/pine-bark-fines-and-soil-ph-or-acidity-dsvw-vd~1888489[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/pine-bark-fines-and-soil-ph-or-acidity-dsvw-vd~1888489)

I am going to say from my findings that bark fines still carries a low pH but providing the Ca/Mg is just as important even without the peat if using the fines and pine bark while at the same time adjusting the pH due to the acidic nature of even bark.

If I am wrong, I am sure Al will correct that)

Mike

Thanks for explaining for me Al. I'll be sure to use the lime, I have it on hand.

Mike, thanks for the link, will read it tonight. I was planning on feeding them Foliage Pro, is this enough?

Foliage Pro consistently used , plus keeping an eye on the pH of your fertilizer solution over time will be just great!!

how do you find out the pH?

if you are using 'tap' water, just call the provider and ask them what it's at. Then if it's above 7.5 I would use vinegar , about the bottle capful every week when you water or so.

Thanks Mike. I remember getting something in the mail about the breakdown of whats in the water, I'll look for it & if it's not there I can call. Also, I may be able to test it like the fish tank.... the test always were in the lower end (like I didn't have to do the 2nd test).

I have the 511 mix all ready (added the lime too), citrus are now enjoying the rain... I'll let them dry some & then pot them as soon as the soil will easy fall away. :)

I went to Logee's a few days ago and picked out some citrus and other unique plants! I LOVE visiting there, it had been a couple years since my last visit so I was overdue. The mature plants in their greenhouses make for not just plant shopping, but makes ya feel like your going on an adventure! What lies around the next corner?

The original plan was to get a Grapefruit as suggested by Mike (but they only had the hardy type so I passed). I had wanted a Ponderosa because I remember seeing the magnificent tree a couple years earlier in their greenhouse. What an amazing gigantic fruit! I would love to use it in a dessert, like a lemon curd with a coconut tart shell. Next, I wanted a Kaffir Lime, I'm more excited about the leaves than the fruit, as it's a wonderful aroma & flavor note in curries. Ya know, really can't just go to a big supermarket and get it, so I'm really happy to have it now! :) Since I wasn't getting a Grapefuit, I went for the crazy Buddha's Hand, ha what an oddity! Crossing fingers (lol) that I can grow a fruit for jam or candy the rind & dip in chocolate.

Yesterday I repotted them into the 511 mix :)

I started with the smallest citrus so I could re-sharpen my bare rooting skills. My favorite tool is a metal knitting needle given to me by my heavenly grandmother. Thankfully there has been no damage to the knitting needle, I could still use it to knit... I am careful with it just like I am the roots. (I'll get a pic later of it!)

Buddha's Hand roots:

Ponderosa roots:

Potted in 511 mix :)

backside:

Kaffir Lime, turned out to be the most challenging bareroot EVER, I must have spent an hour on it! So many roots in a little pot, my beloved knitting needle was useless, I dunked the rootball in water (hardly helped) so then used the garden hose to spray it off. The thick roots were not flexible at all, I did not want to break them so ended up just leaving them as is. I put this Kaffir Lime into the biggest pot because it seems like a vigorous grower.

Potted in 511: (What crazy top growth! I love the shape of the leaves... so cute)

Now, something special for my plant buddy that has been so helpful with all his advise! His plants are all AMAZING, they really thrive under his care. It's wonderful to know someone in my state that is crazy for succulents & other plants. I have a ways to go before my plants look anywhere as great as his. I really appreciate all the help....

A straight forward view:

the roots:

-Nancy

Fantastic photos. Plants look healthy and happy in their new clay pots.

Thanks Hibiscus! They seem to be doing well adjusting into the 511. Rain for a few days here (they're under a pergola though).

I had mentioned I'd be back with the metal knitting needle. I've heard other folks like chopsticks as the bare rooting tool, either works.

-Nancy

Basic tools for root work ^^^. Left to right 1) root hook 2) root rake 3) HD scissors 4) root cutter 5&6) root picksOther helpful tools/items for repotting ^^^.

Al

Beautiful plants, Nancy. The very best of fun with your new babies - I can see patience will be a priority.

Hi Al, those are all fantastic tools, thanks for showing them. Someday I should get a basic bonsai tool kit as I could really use a root rake.

Hi Marguerite, thanks for the well wishes with them!

Hello, hello!!! How are they reacting now Nancy!!?

I'll bet the humidity and those awesome storms you got that I have yet to see have helped a lot. You are so kind and just amazing to think of me. Thank you so much. I'm glad I have been able to have some influence on your now Citrus Addiction. Ha

Thank you for posting all this help and beautiful pics.

Al, love those tools. Thank you for all your help and pics,.

******Margureite,************

Hoping all is good across the pond and I am so happy to see you stopped by. What a pleasant surprise friend))

Hey Mike! Last week there were 2 or 3 good downpours, but really they were quick storms just a little wind and rain, a tad of thunder but not a lot... then it was nice out.

Thursday evening there was a quick line of t-storms, didn't think much of it until finding out the next day that it caused two tornadoes around Worcester! Crazy for nighttime, huh?

July 26th: The beginning of bringing plants out to the rain...

Ok, well I've been trying to keep the bark moist, Saturday I remember running out to water some plants in the 511...but now I think I forgot the Ponderosa & my Buddha's Hand! Sunday I wasn't feeling so great... headache. When I looked at them yesterday afternoon they looked overly dry with their top leaves curled. :( They're doing better now but not happy campers yet. Ugg!

Today....July 31st:

top close-up:

So what do you think Mike? Also, a gal at Logee's they said they may need iron, do you agree? I do have it on hand, I just rather your blessing to go ahead to use it on them. I've been keeping them in the shade as you suggested.
-Nancy