5-1-1 Mix, Did I Err?

7 years ago

Here’s my 5-1-1 mix with repti bark, perlite, peat, lime and fertilizer. I didn’t use pine bark fines because I couldn’t find pine bark fines that weren’t treated with something. I followed Al’s recipe for a small batch. I didn’t screen the repti bark. Have I made a major mistake? Are the repti bark pieces too big? If so, is there anyway to salvage this mix? Is there a relatively easy way to chop the repti bark? I still have some of the ingredients left to make another small batch. I got worried because I up potted my fiddle leaf fig yesterday and when I watered it, lots of peat drained out, ugh! Please advise. Thank you!

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Comments (4)

User
7 years ago
Kind of hard to tell from the photo, but that looks way, way too coarse to me. Hopefully one of the more experienced posters chimes in.
mickeee thanked User
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Yeah, I would say the bark is too large. Anywhere from 1/2" to 1/4" with 3/8" about ideal (the dime is almost 3/4"). Finer dust is OK to include as well. Also, the perlite looks too small.

This is more what the mix should look like:
mickeee thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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mickeee
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Illstep and Gardengal. Do you know of a way to chop the repti bark? How long do you think my fiddle leaf fig can safely live in this mix until I get new ingredients?
B P
5 years ago
Update? Did you leave your FLF in this mix? I potted my Monstera in a very similar mix, using Repti Bark and I left the Repti Bark that size ... the plant is very happy - I haven't had a single issue with it since swapping out the dense, easily waterlogged soil it came in. In fact, it LOVES the mix - it's been unfurling new, beautiful foliage ever since <3