Dirt in the mix?

[MattyB]

Does anyone add dirt to their potting mix? In the past, when I've ran low on potting mix and perlite, I've supplimented with some native dirt, just so I could pot something up. As long as it's not too much, and doesn't impede drainage, I think the plants really like it. Maybe because there are microbes that are not present in potting soil. Is that why? Let's chat about it.

[quaman58]

Matt,

I do it all the time; I use a lot when digging holes for plants going into the ground & a bit less when potting stuff up. As you've noted, it's really about finding the right drainage mix for your area. My local dirt definitely slows drainage way down. It's also cheap..

[Tomw]

Yes I do. But when it comes to dirt I tend to over do it, my motto is $1.00 plant in a $10.00 hole. My potting mix is comprised of composted kitchen waste, perlite, some of my own (native) top soil (that has some sand in it) and some good box store potting mix. I also use a liberal amount of controlled release nutricote fertilizer in every pot or hole. I also try to augment my native soil to accommodate the conditions that the particular species grow in, in there native habitat. For example my Coccothrinax and Copernicia palms, I create a 1/3rd native soil 1/3rd silica sand and 1/3rd crushed limestone and of course controlled release nutricote fertilizer.

[Walter John]

I do sometimes Matty when I'm low on potting mix, but I get the real sandy stuff that I'm lucky to find down the back of my place.

[DoomsDave]

I've done it too.

The people you want to talk to, are at Durling Nursery, somewhere in SD, which used to ship [posterior]-kickin' potted citrus in native soil. Heavier than grief, but the plants grew well.

In particular, I use native dirt when something is very slow. That's because potting soil is high in humus, and sifts out after a while, which native dirt almost never does, unless it's sandy native dirt.

GOOD THREAD!

[Harry]

I do it all the time (around 20% mixed in).

I have even naively used 100% native soil in pots with disastrous results!

[Gonzer]

Due to the root constraint issue of pots, using 100% native soil is not wise. That's why it's called "potting soil". I rarely add any amendments when planting out in the ground due to the fact that after the roots grow out of their comfy amended surroundings all they'll encounter is native soil. That is why a larger size palm will adapt better than most.

[amazondk]

Here in my part of the world potting soil is basically soil. You can not get potting mixes like in the States. There is organic matter added to native black soil and sometimes composted chicken manure is added as long as dolomite. My friend with the plant shop mixes rice hulls into the soil mix.

dk

[ghar41]

Ive done it in the past also. Many potting soil mixes ive used are more acidic so I felt it gave some balance, especially for palms from alkaline soils.

Last year I lost a rare Butia x Parajubaea hybrid in a mix that had some of my native soil in it and it spooked me a bit so I havent used it since. Even though it probably had nothing to do with it.