Making
Soilless or Peat-based Potting Media
Soilless
mixes or peat-based potting media do not contain any soil, but generally
consist of peat moss combined with horticultural grades of vermiculite and/ or
perlite and added fertilizer. Peat-based media are useful for seed germination
because they are relatively sterile, light in texture and weight, and uniform.
The light texture enables seeds to readily germinate and emerge, allows tender
roots to grow, and makes transplanting seedlings easier.
In
general, standard media recipes are created based on the types of plants being
grown (ex. bedding plants, potted plants, or for seed germination). A standard
recipe for a homemade soilless mix consists of half sphagnum peat moss and half
perlite or vermiculite. To mix ½ bushel basket or four gallons of media:
1. Start by pouring two
gallons of peat moss into the bushel basket.
2. Add two gallons of either
perlite or vermiculite and mix thoroughly.
3. Moisten the mix before
using in pots or flats.
Adding Ground Limestone
and Fertilizer to Soil and Soilless Potting Media
Small amounts of ground limestone and fertilizer will
need to be added to the media. These ingredients can be blended together in a
separate container and then added to the bushel basket. Fertilizer will supply
nutrients; however, the correct media pH must be maintained so these nutrients
can be available for plant roots to absorb. The range in which all nutrients
are available to most plants is between 6.0 (slightly acidic) and 7.0.
Although soil-based potting media may
not initially require fertilizer in the mix, additional nutrients are usually
helpful for plants that will remain in the same container for several years. A
slow release complete fertilizer (e.g., Osmocote) can be added to both
soil-based and soilless potting media at rates recommended on the fertilizer
label. Slow release fertilizers will assure that nutrients are available for
your plants through the coming months.
Whether soil-based or peat-based, media
often has a pH that is too low (generally below 6.0) and should be adjusted.
Adding ground calcitic limestone or agricultural lime raises media pH and
contains calcium, which strengthens cell walls. Dolomitic limestone, sometimes
used instead of calcitic limestone, also raises media pH and supplies magnesium
as well as calcium. Four level tablespoons of limestone (about 2 ounces or 57
grams) can be added to the bushel basket. Soilless or peat-based media often
require the pH to be adjusted upward (to between 6.0 and 7.0) and buffering to
prevent rapid drops in pH while the plant is growing. One way to do this is to
apply an alkaline fertilizer. Two teaspoons (about ½ ounce or 14.2 grams) of
potassium nitrate (15-0-15) and the same quantity of calcium nitrate (15.5-0-0)
can be added to supply nitrogen and potassium. To supply phosphorus, 2 level
tablespoons (about an ounce or 28.4 grams) of 20% superphosphate (0-20-0)
should be added. Alternatively, a slow release fertilizer and limestone will
achieve the same affect.
After fertilizer and limestone are
combined and blended with the primary ingredients, the media should be sifted
through a piece of ½ inch wire mesh screen called hardware cloth to break any
large clumps into fine pieces. Media used to germinate seeds should be sifted
through a ¼ inch hardware cloth to a finer texture. Lastly, don't forget to
moisten the media before sowing or planting begins. After the media has been
mixed, the excess media should be stored in a watertight container such as a
plastic trashcan.
Potting mix media ingredient
- 2
gallons of peat moss
- 2
gallons of perlite
- 4 level tablespoons (2 ounces
or 57 grams) of limestone (calcium
carbonate)
- Two teaspoons (about ½ ounce
or 14.2 grams) of potassium nitrate (15-0-15) and the same quantity of calcium
nitrate (15.5-0-0) can be added to supply nitrogen and potassium.
- 2 level tablespoons (about
an ounce or 28.4 grams) of 20% superphosphate (0-20-0) should be added.
- a slow release fertilizer and
limestone will achieve the same affect.
(Slow
release fertilizers for flowering or fruiting plants may have higher ratios of
phosphorus. A good slow release fertilizer for vegetable gardens should also
contain calcium and magnesium and high Nitrogen.)
My ingredient
- 2 gallons
of coco
- 2
gallons of Perlite
- 2
ounces of Gypsum (calcium sulfate)
- 2
ounces of slow release
- ½
ounce of potassium Phosphate (0-52-34)
- 1
ounce of Nitrogen (Magnesium
nitrate, calcium nitrate or ammonium sulfate) (2 tablespoon)
(1 gallon =128 oz, 1 cu ft = 7.5
gallons, 2 table spoon = 1 ounce)
Actual ingredient what I make
·
15 gallons Manure
·
15 gallons Top soils
·
13 gallons coco perlite 50/40
·
7.5 gallons citrus
·
7.5 oz N
·
3.75 oz (0-52-34)
·
2 oz Gypsum
How to make potting soil
·
Sphagnum
peat moss is well-draining and
well-aerated, but it’s very low in available nutrients and it has an acidic pH,
typically ranging between 3.5 and 4.5.
·
Limestone is added to peat-based potting mixes to help
balance the pH. I blended with crushed limestone at a rate of 1/4 cup lime for every 6 gallons of peat
moss.
·
Coir looks and acts a lot like sphagnum peat moss
in both commercial and DIY potting soil blends. It has more nutrients than peat
moss and lasts even longer, but it’s more expensive to purchase. Coir fiber’s
pH is close to neutral.
·
Perlite
or Vermiculite It holds three to four times its weight in water, increases pore space,
and improves drainage.
·
Coarse
sand improves drainage and adds weight to potting
mixes.
·
Add pulverized
calcitic limestone or dolomitic limestone to peat-based potting
soils to neutralize their pH. Use about 1/4 cup for every 6 gallons of peat
moss.
·
a natural
fertilizer, derived from a
combination of mined minerals, animal by-products, plant materials, or manures
·
Compost contains billions of beneficial microbes, and
with superior water-holding capacity and nutrient content, compost is an
excellent addition to DIY potting soil. Home make compost, Dr. Earth
Compost or Coast of Maine
6 DIY potting soil recipes
General potting soil recipe for flowers, tropicals, and
vegetables
6 gallons
sphagnum peat moss or coir fiber
4.5 gallons perlite
6 gallons compost
1/4 cup lime (if using peat moss)
1 & 1/2 cup of the DIY container fertilizer blend found below OR 1 &
1/2 cups of any granular, complete, organic fertilizer.
DIY
container fertilizer blend:
Mix
together
2 cups rock phosphate
2 cups greensand
½ cup bone meal
¼ cup kelp meal
Potting
soil recipe for potted trees and shrubs
3 gallons
compost
2.5 gallons coarse sand
3 gallons sphagnum peat moss or coir fiber
2.5 gallons composted pine bark
3 gallons perlite
2 TBSP of lime (if using peat moss)
1 cup
granular, organic fertilizer (or 1 cup of the DIY container fertilizer blend
found above)
1/4 cup organic cottonseed meal, if growing acid-loving trees and
shrubs
Potting
soil recipe for succulents and cactus
3 gallons
sphagnum peat moss or coir fiber
1 gallon perlite
1 gallon vermiculite
2 gallons coarse sand
2 TBSP lime (if using peat moss)
Potting
soil recipe for seed starting
2 gallons
sphagnum peat moss or coir fiber
2 gallons vermiculite
1 gallon coarse sand
3 TBSP lime (if using peat moss)
Homemade potting soil for transplanting seedlings
2 gallons
sphagnum peat moss or coir fiber
2 gallons vermiculite
1 gallon finely screened compost
3 TBSP lime (if using peat moss)
2 TBSP granular, organic fertilizer (or 2 TBSP of the DIY container fertilizer
blend found above)
Potting
soil recipe for houseplants
2 gallons
sphagnum peat moss or coir fiber
1.5 gallons perlite
2 cups coarse sand
3 TBSP lime (if using peat moss)
2 TBSP granular, organic fertilizer (or 2 TBSP of the DIY container fertilizer
blend found above)
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