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Patio Plus

MattyB

By MattyB
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

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MattyB Grand Master

MattyB

Posted
Posted

Hey ya'll,

Many have touted the benefits of an outdoor potting soil called Patio Plus.  I've been using this patio plus for this entire year and I think that I don't like it anymore.  It's very rich.  It's basically a fine ground organic mix with a uniform texture that contains kelp product, chicken manure, bat guano, and whatever other good stuff that's listed on the back.  It drains very fast yet holds plenty of moisture.  This is why I thought it was so good.  But now I'm thinking that it's holding too much moisture.  I suspect the high moisture retention and the manure products have lead to the rotting of the roots of several seedlings.  I've began a barerooting and repotting process on all of my small stuff and found several that the plants are showing no ill signs but the roots are definately starting to turn black and mushy.  I've treated w/ Daconil and repotted using a lighter mix that I got @ Jungle Music.  None of my 1 gallon and larger size plants seem to be affected, just the tiny seedlings, so it's still probably ok to use as an in ground and larger plants ammendment.  Anyone have any rotting experience with Patio Plus?  I've heard that sludge is bad.  Is sludge just another word for manure?  Like the bat guano and chicken manure in Patio Plus?

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

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Darold Petty Grand Master

Darold Petty

Posted
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Matt,   sludge is usually the term for solids left over from the municipal sewer system.  Whereas, manure, cow or chicken is direct from the animals.  Sludge has a bad reputation because it has a residual amount of heavy metals.  Sludge is used as fertilizer in commercial agriculture, but not recommend for food crops.  Milorganite is a brand of home fertilizer with sludge, but it's not recommended for vegetable gardening.  I'm not familiar with Patio Plus, but many brands market a mix labeled as "seedling mix", generally lighter, with better aeration than the regular stuff.

San Francisco, California

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Shon Mentor

Shon

Posted
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Hey Matty, I've been using it for a year or so since Rusty turned me on to it.So far it's worked great for everything from a one gallon to a twenty.I also used it to repot a couple things I had in bands.If you find something better let me know.

                              Shon

San Marcos CA

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BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
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Hey Matt-

I've been potting up a little of everything for the past year and my observations have been close to yours, I've tried several mixes and have found that on the smaller seedlings, the more pearlite the better, as they get to 1 gal size or better, it appears to make less difference.

Hey- I also picked up one of those $300 Harbor freight Greenhouses since a new one opened up a mile from me.  we'll see how it works!

Bill

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

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paulgila Grand Master

paulgila

Posted
Posted

can you post a pic so we can see what it looks like?

the "prince of snarkness."

 

still "warning-free."

 

san diego,california,left coast.

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BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
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Well No,....

Its still in the box, but heres a link to the one I almost got, but decided I didn't have the space....looks pretty substantial for the price.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=93358

The one I bought is here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=47712

The New Oceanside store had one of each at least when I left on Saturday.

Bill

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

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MattyB Grand Master

MattyB

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Cool!  Bill, please start a thread and post some pics when you get it all put together.  Are you gonna have time to get it put together before winter?  That's when you'll be glad you got it.  I can't believe it's so cheap!  How's the quality?  Mine is a 6 x 12 "lean to" against the garage and I spent like $400.  That dosen't include the benches, polyfilm covering, and shade cloth, just the rock base, framing and window vent openers.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

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BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

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I will post when I get it assembled. At this point, it may take a bit.  The only down side is I won't quite be able to stand up in it. (The door is 5'4")  But I hope to have it up by winter!!

Bill

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

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paulgila Grand Master

paulgila

Posted
Posted

dig a trench down the middle so you can stand up...

the "prince of snarkness."

 

still "warning-free."

 

san diego,california,left coast.

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BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
Posted

Hhhmmmm... not a bad idea actually.

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

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