I've done quite a bit of reading about Gritty Mix and 511 mix. I have been using the 511 with good results. I am now ready to ask these questions. Is there any situation where 50% peat moss and 50% bark fines will work in SWC/SIP. Will this wick in EarthTainer and Earth**Box ?? Will it be too wet?? I've only these items and some PermaTill -- with no Perlite and need to fill a few SIP/SWC. I could mix 50% bark with 50% PermaTill. My problem is I have these containers that need filling and I am out of ingredients.

Thanks,
DL

i made up 1000 gals of it and reuse it. last 2 years i added 20% more bark fines each year. where i live i get the stuff in bulk.

i dont no what permatill is.

I've literally spent years trialing 38 combinations of ingredients for the optimum Combo Mix for use in SWCs like the EarthTainer. The 3:2:1 ratio of Sunshine Advanced Mix #4, Microbark, and Perlite has given me the best results to date.

I am now experimenting with breaking the "3" component into equal portions of Sunshine Mix and Happy Frog with promising results to date:

If you are going to put in all that effort to growing tomatoes, etc. then why not try to give them the best growing media that you can blend.

Raybo

I used the 3:3:2 combo you are using on Peppers a few years ago in the EarthTainer and it worked extremely well. I think the keys are good drainage as well as aeration to the roots. You've got a good recipe there.

Raybo

terrybull,
Your recipe sounds close to what I have available as the ProMix has about 13-14% Perlite already mixed in. Perhaps mixing the bark fines with the ProMox will wick and NOT be overly wet. I get that I will add lime and fert. PermaTill is little rocks. Here is info from their website:

Potting mixes generally contain coarse particles of perlite or bark for the purpose of aeration and drainage. However these materials decompose over time causing a settling and compaction of the media. PermaTill is strong, durable, and low in absorption to insure capillary action of water and air movement through the media. PemaTill particles act as reservoirs for water-soluble nutrients. The pH of Stalite PermaTill is stable and will not alter the pH of other media components.

Raybo,
I agree that the potting medium should be the best available and in 98% of the containers -- that is exactly what I do. Problem is I have this stuff AND some empty containers which I want to use. I should have mentioned that the tomato containers have already been filled with the proper mix for optimum growth and production. These items (PermaTill, ProMix BX and bark fines) are in less than optimum quantity and I need to get them mixed for use. Was just wondering if one of the 'recipe' I intend on using would wick properly and not be too wet. Do you think the 3-2-2 could be loosely approximated with my ProMix (40%)+ Bark Fine (40%)+ PermaTill (20%) mix?? I have included a link to the PermaTill website if you are not familiar with it. Went to a sales rep demo at a local farm store and got several bags - almost free - well it cost about 15 minutes of my time.

Thanks again all,
DL

I wasn't familiar with PermaTill, so now I am - Thanks! Looks like interesting potential replacement for the Perlite. I'll try to locate some out here in NorCal, if it is available. Looks like flower growers might be a source.

For the Mix you intend above, while you said it was not for tomatoes, it might be fine in the ratios you specify. In any event, keep us posted on how the PermaTill works out for you. Geez - - now ANOTHER trial series I'm tempted to run......

Raybo

DL

But it also depends on how high your container is. The 1:1 from my experience is good for a SWC that needs to wick up 1 foot. This is what my old 5-gallon SWCs did.

The eart**boxes I've seen for sale at nurseries (SummerWinds in NorCal), hold less than 1 foot deep for the mix. So you might want to use less peat maybe 40:60???

Also depends on how hot and how much sun you get.

What would the key be for my mix OR should I change the bed and/or reservoir height?