Soil for Ninebark in a container?

5 years ago

I need to transplant a Ninebark from a small container it's outgrown into a larger one. All I have on hand available to plant in is: Compost (bagged), Peat, organic pine mulch with compost (local product) (meant to go on top, I believe), some potting soil mix (1/2 a bag), misc soil from last years planters.

I'm worried that the compost, or even a compost/peat mix, will be too rich. Do I need to worry about that? Also, if I mix in some pine mulch, is that going to steal all the nitrogen? I believe the pine mulch is somewhat aged.

I was hoping to do it today, so would prefer to use what I've got rather than go out and get anything new. Anyone want to chime in with their thoughts?

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Comments (3)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Given your choices, I'd go with the potting soil and pine mulch. Not ideal but it will do in a pinch. And since you will need to fertilize any plant grown in a container anyway, no worries about the N tie-up from the bark mulch.

If you can, keep the bark pieces around 3/8 to a quarter inch in size.
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Fred Lerner
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks gardengal - that sounds like a reasonable plan to me! Will let you and the world know how it goes.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
are you unwilling to buy anything???

get a bag of bark mini chunks .. and mix that with good peat media ... and that would be perfect ..

trees.. especially in pots... want a sip of water .. with ALL excess running out the bottom ... and a lot of air in the roots ... imo.. the air in the roots is the key .. and that is why something chunky really helps ... [and that is why most of your stuff is no good.. it could get mucky in a pot...]

why cant it just go in the ground ...

im not sure i would repot in the heat of summer.. depending on where you are.. and the ability to keep it out of all direct sun. while it gets those roots working again ... early fall.. when night temps are very forgiving.. might be better .. i cant imagine some emergency... where you just have to do this in july ... but then.. what do i know ...

ken