I mixed up some 5-1-1 with the last of my Perlite this morning, and I made a quick vid.
Usually, I make a larger batch (which goes much faster), but this was for demonstration
purposes primarily. I hope I didn't forget anything! ;-)

Potting Mix - making 5-1-1

My version of Al's 5-1-1:

5 parts Fir bark
1 part Perlite
1 part potting mix

1 Tablespoon Dolomitic Garden Lime per gallon of mix
1 Tablespoon slow-release fertilizer (optional)

Josh

Josh

That was very kind of you to take the time to do that video. I loved it. I even learned something new!:-)

Mike

You are awesome to make this video!!

This will help so many people understand how to make this great mix.!!!!

Thank you for showing us how easy it really is and hopefully others that may be a little apprehensive, will give it a try!

Hope you are enjoying your summer!!

Take care,

Laura

I know that your goal is to demonstrate how easy it can be to make this mix, but have a few questions which I hope will not complicate things unneccessarily.

For those who are less experienced making the mix, I assume you would recommend that we actually measure the components rather than just eyeing it. I would guess that 5:1:1 could easily become something like 3:1:2 if I didn't know how it was supposed to look and I was just eyeing it? Or is some degree of error in the relative proportions unconsequential?

Another question concerns the order of operations. In the video you mix everything together and then screen it all together. Looks like there was little impact since your bark is pretty good and most all was in the desired size range, with little screened out. Not all of us are so lucky I'm afraid, and if a good amount of the bark gets screened out then it will change the proportions of components when done in this fashion. In this case it might be better to screen the bark before combining the media, keeping the proportion of screened bark constant at 5.

I think your video was great and very helpful, and I'm not trying to pick hairs. In part I'm looking for your feedback on these ideas, whether they might be relevant or if I'm taking too fine a magnifying glass to something as simple as potting mix.

Thanks again Josh,
Alex

Alex, I realize that some of this might be confusing, though I hoped it wouldn't be.

Yes, when I make a big batch, I screen my bark first, and then add the amendments to it.
With this demonstration, I was attempting to show that 70% of the mix will be bark, 15%
will be Perlite, and 15% will be Other (Peat, potting soil, aged compost, turface, et cetera).

My goal was to create a visual, showing just how much bark will be used as the primary filler.
I measured ahead of time, assembled my ingredients, then filmed the process in one take.
I started with some extra bark to allow for the percentage that would be over 1/2 inch.
When I do a batch of soil, I always make a little extra to top off containers.

I recommend that everyone measure ingredients, and if your bark is very fine and composted,
then add more Perlite and cut back on the other fine particulate. The mix is very simple
to put together, as long as you keep the Principles behind each ingredient in mind.

Josh

Stellar job, Josh. It was really nice of you to take the time & go through the effort to show others how fast/easy it is to make your own mix at a much lower cost compared to buying a commercially prepared mix that is likely to be much less forgiving.

Did you consider linking to this thread when you posted to YouTube, or is that not allowed?

Al

I was hoping you'd be by to give it a glance (and hopefully a nod of approval) :-)
A couple of pepper growers had requested a video on how to throw together this easy, economical,
and lightweight mix, and I finally found time to do so. With a partner, and a little more planning,
it could have been better...but I think this'll work in a pinch.

I believe I can link to this Thread on YouTube! I'll include a link in the description, and I'll see
about embedding a link in the video itself.

Thanks again!

Josh

Al

This deserves a friendly Bunp!!! : )

Needs to be close to the top so others can see!

Take care,

Laura

Thanks for the kind words, Al!
Laura, thank you so much for the bump...! Yesterday I made another 45 gallons of this mix,
and now all my peppers (and a Castor Bean) are potted into their final homes for the Summer.

Josh

Thank you, I too find visual very helpful.
Used it to mix my first 'bigger' batch...Rina