Re: Potting medium for seedling pots

I would suggest perlite, not vermiculite if you wanted to add something.  vermiculite is designed to hold water.  Perlite holds essentially none.  Sand doesn't hold much water either but it tends to make the soil more compact.

I would mix the bottom two thirds with more perlite (most of the mixes have some of that in there already) and then add regular potting mix on top.  Perlite tend to float to the top is there is too much in there and the layer on top will reduce that.

Paul Archer
Indianapolis, IN  Zone 5


-----Original Message-----
>From: Bill Chaney <billchaney@ymail.com>
>Sent: Oct 9, 2009 1:25 AM
>To: iris@hort.net, iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [iris] Potting medium for seedling pots
>
>I would like some advice on the best potting medium for seedling pots.  I have found most of the commercial potting soils hold too much water and have too little pore space.  Any suggestions?  Mix with sand? Or vermiculite? And what about the soil for the top?  The same, or something more course?
>
>Any suggestions would be welcome.
>Bill
>
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