Basic Mixes | PERLITE |
Suggestions and Basic Mixes |
PLANT GUIDE |
The Schundler Company 10 Central Street Nahant, MA 01908 732-287-2244 |
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.
Perlite | 50% |
Peat | 50% |
ROOTING MIX:
This mix is often used for propagating delicate cuttings such as geraniums, carnations and fuchsias. It is a 3:1 mix.
Perlite | 75% |
Peat | 25% |
SEEDLING MIX:
The seedling mix is often used for bedding plants, tomato plants, etc. It is a 1 :1 mix.
Perlite | 0.5 yd 3 |
Sphagnum Peat Moss | 0.5 yd 3 |
Ground Limestone | 5 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.
Perlite | 0.25 yd 3 |
Sphagnum Peat Moss | 0.75 yd 3 |
Ground Limestone | 7.5 lbs. |
Compound Fertilizer | 11 lbs. |
Trace Elements |
POTTING MIX (2):
This is a general purpose mix using basic fertilizers. It is a 1 :3 mix.
Perlite | 0.25 yd 3 |
Sphagnum Peat Moss | 0.75 yd 3 |
Ammonium Nitrate | 10 oz. |
Super Phosphate (0-20-0) | 2 lbs. 10 oz. |
Potassium Nitrate | 1 lbs. 5 oz. |
Ground Limestone | 4 lbs. |
Dolomite Limestone | 4 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.
Perlite | 0.20 yd 3 |
Peat Moss | 0.40 yd 3 |
Sterilized Soil | 0.40 3 |
Ground Limestone | 4 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
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