Organic soil additive

monza

Shohin
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I have all my soil components except in my area I'm can never find a great choice for my organic portion of 10% or less, ideally I'd like to use Soil-pep (composted pine mulch) but it seems not to be available in Canada. My next choice that I can find would be a packaged orchid mulch mix but they always seem to have some sort of additives.

What do you guys think of the product below? I'm not real keen on the perlite and vermiculite additives but if I'm only adding max 10%?? Soil use is almost 100% for pines, junipers, larch etc.
Alternative suggestions?
Thanks
Dave

Description
PRO-MIX HP is a high porosity peat/perlite-based professional growing medium designed for the cultivation of water sensitive plants, root cuttings and plants growing in low-light conditions. The lightweight and high porosity of this formulation provides conditions ideal to establish plant growth when growing situations require high capacity and low water retention media. To provide such high porosity pro-mix HP is blended with soil conditioners such as perlite and vermiculite. Use for growing flowering plants such as poinsettia and cyclamen, foliage, hanging baskets, perennials, and root cuttings. Standard with all Pro-Mix BX blends is Mycorise Pro, an advanced mycorrhizal fungi product that promotes stronger, healthier plants. Mycorrhizal fungi colonize the plant's root system and develop a symbiotic association called mycorrhizae. This beneficial plant-fungi relationship increases the root's absorption capacity for water and many mineral nutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi are naturally occurring in soil, but do not exist in commercial potting mixes. Re-introducing the beneficial fungi to any susceptible plant at the start of the production cycle will enhance plant performance. Available in compressed3.8 cu ft and 55 cu ft bales, and in loosely packed 70 cu foot bulk bags.
Active Ingredient
sphagnum peat moss, extra perlite, endomycorrhize
 

monza

Shohin
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I Found a better choice then above. Same company 35-45% bark.

PEAT / BARK-BASED
GROWING MEDIUM
PRO-MIX 'BRK'/Mycorise® PRO is a "Peat/Bark- based" growing medium offering the renowned quality and consistency of PRO-MIX. Its processed Pine bark adds weight and reduces water retention of media while its quality Sphagnum peat moss ensures optimal balance between air and water. This mix resists long-term compaction and improves container stability. Mycorise® PRO ensures stronger, healthier plants due to more developed root systems and better fertilizer uptake.
COMPONENTS: Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss (40-50%/vol.) • Endomycorrhize (Mycorise® PRO) • Processed Pine Bark (35-45%/vol.) • Perlite — horticultural grade • Dolomitic & Calcitic Limestone (pH adjuster) • Macronutrients • Micronutrients
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and this was suggest by a local bonsai guy:

Original SEA SOIL Natural Organic Growing Soil

Created from a mixture of fish and forest fines. This top-quality product is rich in colour and in nutrients while maintaining a neutral pH. SEA SOIL™ contains all necessary micro and macro nutrients to grow a healthy garden, is weed-free, and is an excellent way to retain moisture. SEA SOIL™ is approved by the B.C. Certified Organics Program as well as listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). With no fish odour, this two year composted soil is a complete soil for your garden.
http://www.seasoil.com/original-sea-soil.html

Thoughts? I'd rather have some thing 'plain' but coming up short.
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
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Both sound like good recipes for mud...
 

cquinn

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Ditch the Pine Bark and stick with Spagnum Peat. I like Fafard #52 mix. It's got some other goodies mixed in it as well like Haydite. I mix it with Akadama and river sand. Trees grow well in it. I haven't had to worry about my trees in this mix.
 

monza

Shohin
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The amount I'd be using would only be about 10% of the entire blend. My soil mixture recipe comes from Andy Smith, I'll try and stick with his mix as we have the same sort of trees and same weather but I just can't find the organic ingredient he uses which is a composted pine mulch. Can't really see any of the above turning it into mud? I'll look into Spagnum peat a bit more I don't have any experience with it.
 

FrankP999

Shohin
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My soil mixture recipe comes from Andy Smith, I'll try and stick with his mix as we have the same sort of trees and same weather but I just can't find the organic ingredient he uses which is a composted pine mulch.

What else is in your mix?
 

monza

Shohin
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What else is in your mix?


Roughly 60% chicken grit, 30% Turface and 10% organic.

Generally I do lower the chicken grit and turface amounts and add Akadama in there as well usually around 20% more if I really like the tree.
 

rockm

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"Both sound like good recipes for mud"

Sorry, I just looked at the photos. Looked overly organic to me, but actually reading the recipe, it's good...
 

monza

Shohin
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"Both sound like good recipes for mud"

Sorry, I just looked at the photos. Looked overly organic to me, but actually reading the recipe, it's good...

Sounds good thanks, you threw me with the mud comment. I think the Promix BRK sounds really good I think I'm going with it and I'll post results in the next auuugh - few years......

If any one is interested in reading more on Promix http://www.pro-mixbas.com/brochure_promix.pdf
 
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cmeg1

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keep an eye out for composted bark soil conditioners also.If you live next to a hydroponics store is the best place.
 

monza

Shohin
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Cool thanks, thats really what I want could not find it. I'll go check out the 'grow ops' store.
 
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