Re: Marge Talt, what are pine bark fines?
- Subject: Re: Marge Talt, what are pine bark fines?
- From: "Marge Talt" m*@hort.net
- Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2003 00:12:16 -0400
> From: Gail Lussier <lussier@fas.harvard.edu>
> In a message concerning rooting dogwoods, you mentioned using "pine
> bark finds" to pot in. I have been using pine bark mulsh mixed with
> garden soil for some plants I put in pots. Is this basically the
same
> thing?
----------
Gail, I don't think it's the same thing I mentioned tho' it does
work. Pine bark fines are sold around here as "Virginia Fines", a
soil conditioner ( I have to drive to over to Virginia to get it).
It's really fine composted pine bark; looks more like a very coarse
peat than a mulch. Depending on where you garden, it may or may not
be available. If not, then a fine chip pine bark mulch will do as
well - I use that, too sometimes when I'm out of fines, mixed with
compost and leaf mold or rotted woodchip humus and grit.
I note that many nurseries seem to pot in what looks like a fine pine
bark mulch - coarser than Virginia Fines - more almost rounded thin
chips. Usually see evidence of some time release fertilizer in the
pot as the bark products are not going to be high nutrient - they
basically provide coarse organic material that drains fast. If you
add garden soil and your soil is clay based, you want to have a
really small percentage of it in the mix because it won't drain fast
enough for potted plants. I add some, sometimes, but generally
there's enough soil in my compost to do the trick.
In my experience fast drainage is one of the prime requirements of
potting mix; almost more important than what products are used to
make the mix.
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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