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Basic soil mix for palms

tank

By tank
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

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tank Grand Master

tank

Posted
Posted

A nurser recommended a local source for premixed soil. I was planning on buying 2 yards and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the mix. The ingredients they have are composted peanut shells, pine bark fines, composted cow manure, sand and topsoil. I can provide any additional stuff for them to mix. I was assured that the composted cow manure had been tested by IFAS and has a very low salt content. The typical ph of most of their mixes is neutral or just slightly acidic, according to them.

The nurser primarily gets the soil for cycads and may have a little faster drainage than I want for most of my plants (he thought this as well). His mix:

50% Pine Fines

30% Composted Peanut Shells

15% Composted manure

5% sand

I was planning on getting this mix for my palms:

25% Pine Fines

45% Composted Peanut Shells

20% Composted manure

10% Sand

The price for this mix is $30 per yard. I was thinking about adding some dolomite and potentially trading out some of the pine and peanut shells for perlite, but I'm not sure if the perlite is necessary and was planning on adding it later if I was potting up something that needed more drainage.

I top dress with osmocote-14-14-14 and a palm micronutrient powder.

I have a few hundred one and three gallon palms that need to be stepped up and my shoulders dread having to mix the soil on my own.

After mixing a few yards by hand, I would pay them $30 just to use their mixer!

Thanks!

Jason

Gainesville, Florida

John Case Grand Master

John Case

Posted
Posted

Since you didn't say that the pine fines were composted, I'll assume that you mean sawdust......

If I am right, are you sure about this? What part of the tree is fined? The wood? Bark? Needles (yikes)?

Pine fines are usually marketed as mulch, rather than a soil component....

John Case

Brentwood CA

Owner and curator of Hana Keu Garden

USDA Zone 9b more or less, Sunset Zone 14 in winter 9 in summer

"Its always exciting the first time you save the world. Its a real thrill!"

Gonzer Grand Master

Gonzer

Posted
Posted

I like at least 25% sand and pumice instead of perlite. Can't stand "floaties".

 

 

joe_OC Grand Master

joe_OC

Posted
Posted

75% nitrolized redwood shavings (fine)

25% #12 sand

Huntington Beach, CA

USDA Zone 10a/10b

Sunset Zone 24

merrill Mentor

merrill

Posted
Posted

Hi, Jason:

Peanut shells reputedly have a lot of nematodes. I've had bad luck using them for plant growth; not sure composting will overcome nematodes. Others have shared this impression.

Best Wishes,

merrill

merrill, North Central Florida

FRITO Grand Master

FRITO

Posted
Posted

I was looking at soil by the yard locally as well today.

one place had what they called a landscape mix (good for pots and in the yard for $40/yard.

included:

mushroom compost, sand, pine bark, and potting soil.

they had a premuim potting soil with fertilizer mixed in for $60/yard no mushroom compost.

the second nursery had what they called "Environcomp" $31/ yard

muchroom compost, topsoil, sand, pine bark and vermiculite.

still figuring out what would be best as buying by the bag is becomming old hat...

Luke

Tallahassee, FL - USDA zone 8b/9a

63" rain annually

January avg 65/40 - July avg 92/73

North Florida Palm Society - http://palmsociety.blogspot.com/

tank Grand Master

tank

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Since you didn't say that the pine fines were composted, I'll assume that you mean sawdust......

If I am right, are you sure about this? What part of the tree is fined? The wood? Bark? Needles (yikes)?

Pine fines are usually marketed as mulch, rather than a soil component....

Sorry,

Composted pine bark.

The mill down the street refers to small (1/2" to 1/4") bark as fines.

Jason

Gainesville, Florida

tank Grand Master

tank

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I'm not sure if redwood is readily available in bulk here in north Florida. I have never seen pumice available up here other than in small quantities and is rather expensive.

That said, there is a very good chance that I just don't know where to look.

By the way, what happens when something gets nitrolized?

Merrill, thanks for the info on nematodes in peanut shells. Seems this could be a problem for a few Trachycarpus spp and potentially Nannorrhops.

Jason

Gainesville, Florida

joe_OC Grand Master

joe_OC

Posted
Posted
By the way, what happens when something gets nitrolized?

They infuse the redwood shavings/compost with nitrogen so it doesn't rob it from the soil during the composting/breakdown process. It can be done with any type of wood shavings/compost.

Huntington Beach, CA

USDA Zone 10a/10b

Sunset Zone 24

merrill Mentor

merrill

Posted
Posted

We have shredded cypress [Taxodium disticum] which resembles redwood shavings [they're related] to germinate palm seed. I may end up using this in some pottings, in the past used it neat for germinating seed, so there is a lot of it to recycle.

Best Wishes,

merrill

merrill, North Central Florida

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
Posted

Either mix ought to work well in pots, provided you're prepared to change it out in a year or two.

Palms, as a group are blessedly unfussy about soil . . . . .

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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