Basic Mixes PERLITE

Suggestions and
Basic Mixes
PLANT GUIDE
The Schundler Company
10 Central Street
Nahant, MA 01908
732-287-2244 www.schundler.com



PERLITE SOILESS AND SOIL-BASED GROWING MIXES


Most growers develop their own "special" growing mixes based on years of experience. They also use different mixes for different plants. For the new grower entering the field or the grower with no former experience with horticultural perlite as a soil amendment, a frequently asked question is "where do I start".

This Perlite Plant Guide provides a starting point. The grower or home gardener can begin with one of the following formulations which can be modified to meet special needs of the environment or the plants being grown.

Remember: These are just some very basic guidelines. If you read the rest of our pages, you will see a number of other mixes described including 100% perlite mixes or systems (where only perlite is used with no soil or peat moss).

We can't say any one mix design is better than another since so many different ones are being used today. Nevertheless, if you have never made your own mix, here are some basic formulas.


SOWING/ROOTING MIX:

This is a basic mix for a wide variety of plants. It is a 1:1 mix.

Perlite50%
Peat50%


ROOTING MIX:

This mix is often used for propagating delicate cuttings such as geraniums, carnations and fuchsias. It is a 3:1 mix.

Perlite75%
Peat25%


SEEDLING MIX:

The seedling mix is often used for bedding plants, tomato plants, etc. It is a 1 :1 mix.

Perlite0.5 yd 3
Sphagnum Peat Moss0.5 yd 3
Ground Limestone5 lbs.
Super Phosphate (0-20-0)2 lbs.
Potassium Nitrate 1.5 lbs.
Fritted Trace Elements 2 oz.


POTTING MIX:

This is a general purpose mix using a compound fertilizer. It is a 1 :3 mix.

Perlite0.25 yd 3
Sphagnum Peat Moss0.75 yd 3
Ground Limestone7.5 lbs.
Compound Fertilizer11 lbs.
Trace Elements


POTTING MIX (2):

This is a general purpose mix using basic fertilizers. It is a 1 :3 mix.

Perlite0.25 yd 3
Sphagnum Peat Moss0.75 yd 3
Ammonium Nitrate10 oz.
Super Phosphate (0-20-0)2 lbs. 10 oz.
Potassium Nitrate 1 lbs. 5 oz.
Ground Limestone4 lbs.
Dolomite Limestone4 lbs.
Fritted Trace Elements 10 oz.


CONTAINER MIX:

This mix is for trees, schrubs, and vines in containers, tubs, and hanging baskets. It is a 1:2:2 mix.

Perlite0.20 yd 3
Peat Moss0.40 yd 3
Sterilized Soil0.40 3
Ground Limestone4 lbs.
Fertilizer same as either
of the potting mixes


For more information, please call or contact us at:

The Schundler Company
10 Central Street
Nahant, MA 01908
(ph)732-287-2244 (fax) 732-287-4185
www.schundler.com
email: info@schundler.com

Back to Horticultural Main Page