Hi there,
Just wanted to share this link to a great article on the GardenWeb forums:
Container Soils - Water Movement & Retention
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg0622171013552.html?60
Al, the author, discusses the importance of a good potting mix, how water is handled by the mix, and how the different ingredients in the potting mix contribute to providing good conditions for growing plants on containers.
Al has spent years developing his potting mix recipes, and provides the two major recipes in the article above – the Gritty Mix and 5-1-1 Mix.
A couple of months back, I mixed a few batches of these mixes. The results have been great. I posted my information here:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg1119054422545.html
I have repotted all of our indoor plants in the Gritty Mix, and they have responded really well. This mix is appropriate when the plant will remain in the same mix for up to several years.
For the outdoor plants in containers (fruit trees, blueberry, strawberry plants, etc.) I have repotted them in the 5-1-1 Mix. This mix is appropriate when the plant will remain in the mix for up to 1 or 2 years. It holds more moisture than the Gritty Mix, but breaks down sooner.
Anyway, just thought I’d share this as I’ve found it to be extremely valuable information for growing plants in containers.
Cheers,
Pete