Potting mixes
Regarding your current discussion about modern mixes versus John Innes
compounds etc.
I'm currently moving a couple of cycads from wine barrels into the garden.
They've been in the tubs for about 6 years now & in fine condition. Never
repotted.
My belief here is that any compost will eventually do the obvious &
decompose. As this happens, the level of mix in the tub progressively drops
until you end up with the plants sitting way below the lip. I therefore use
an organic free mix of two parts good quality loam & one part sand to ensure
free drainage. Pack down well & firm your plants in well leaving a good 5cm
gap between the mix level & the tub rim. This I keep constantly topping up
with compost, old manure etc as a mulch & feeding layer on top. As a feed
reservoir it keeps working down through the mix with the watering. No
continuous repotting & root disturbance necessary.
Moisture retention is obviously low but I only grow dought hardy plants in
tubs at any rate. I feel you have to guarantee anything in a tub is going to
be neglected in its watering by someone, sometime, so you may as well have
something able to handle it.
Regards
Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253 E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
