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| I've posted this question in the Container Gardening forum. But I'm aware that many gardeners in the Perennial forum have current or past experience with container gardening. And since responses to my past queries about perennials have been so helpful (beyond helpful, in fact), I hope I can call on you again. As I'm getting involved with fall cleanup, I've discovered I have 'large' surpluses of some of the ingredients: namely, Turface and Reptibark. (A significant amount of these products, as purchased, were too small/too large for the container mix.) If any of you have used these products in container gardening or some other endeavor, I'd appreciate some advice for making some positive use of them ... preferably in growing my perennials!! :o) Thanks gary |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by prairiemoon2 zone 6a/MA (My Page) on Thu, Sep 12, 13 at 6:31
| Hi Gary, I'm not sure what your ingredients are, Turface and Reptibark? Special potting mixes? |
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- Posted by aseedisapromise z4.5 SD (My Page) on Thu, Sep 12, 13 at 8:35
| I think you could use the Repti bark as a mulch, but it would be the most expensive mulch in the universe. The turface would be good to add to soil that is compacted, or where you were going to plant something that needed good drainage, like a Delosperma or something. Are you sure you can't just hang onto them to use later? |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Thu, Sep 12, 13 at 10:57
| i would just store it dry in the garage... who knows when you might decide you want it ... ken |
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- Posted by terratoma 7a (music1@ntelos.net) on Fri, Sep 13, 13 at 20:46
| Thanks for the excellent suggestions. Prairiemoon. You're right on the money! They're two of the three ingredients found in a planting medium used in containers called 'Al's Gritty Mix. Extremely well/fast draining. The Turface, as I understand it, absorbs a vast amount of water, releasing it when the surrounding materials begin to dry. It's main use, according to a retailer, is on baseball fields, where it's absorption capability is invaluable in wet weather (when you need a dry field!) Aseedis promise. i had the idea that it would be great to add to a sandy soil; it would counter that soil's tendency to drain too rapidly. As mentioned earlier, it would absorb the water and release it as needed. Since I've never heard it mentioned as an inorganic soil amendment, I assume it has a down side. Another post mentioned that I could donate the reptibark to a student/school as bedding for reptiles, which is how it's primarily used. i came across it since it was strongly recommended as an ingredient in the gritty mix. |
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- Posted by prairiemoon2 zone 6a/MA (My Page) on Sat, Sep 14, 13 at 6:02
| terratoma, it's a great time of year to build up a houseplant collection. Maybe repot some existing plants or head to the nursery and bring home a few more and repot those when you get them home. Or...start a collection at your work place. Plants indoors during the winter months help keep the air healthy and clean. |
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- Posted by terratoma 7a (music1@ntelos.net) on Sat, Sep 14, 13 at 14:04
| prairiemoon I'd love to do that. The problem lies in the fact that this 'surplus' can't be used for that purpose. The gritty mix formula uses a specific size range for the individual ingredients. Unfortunately, the ingredients, as packaged, are different sizes and must be screened in order to isolate those in the proper size range. Those that fall out of the size range are unusable in the mix and, therefore, I refer to them as 'surplus' And this surplus was large. At least one third of the Turface was too large while over two-thirds of the Reptibark was too large. (Many growers indicated that the entire contents of their bags of Reptibark were usable. Well, all 120 dry quarts of mine must have been packaged at a different time or place!) :o ) Initially, I wondered about the need for such specific size ranges. But the folks in the Container Gardening forum were quite helpful in explaining the basis of the requirement. It was definitely developed, to my mind at least, on sound principles. |
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- Posted by prairiemoon2 zone 6a/MA (My Page) on Sat, Sep 14, 13 at 14:15
| Oh....now I'm following what you meant by 'surplus'. I have never tried that potting mix for containers, because I was not able to find the ingredients. I decided after awhile, that I would stick to what I normally do for containers, because it was just too much trouble. (g) I guess if I used a lot of containers I'd feel different about it. Sorry I couldn't be more help. :-) |
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| I've heard the turface makes an excellent soil conditioner for all kinds of plants especially bulbs, just work it in. I think it was the Missouri botanical garden that recommended it... Not sure though. I'm trying to find a source but my fall plant budget is already shot and I'll have to wait for next year :( |
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