Jungle Growth potting soil

[Logolight]

I'm currently using Miracle Grow potting soil mixed with about 40% sand but I was wondering if Jungle Growth is a good draining soil?

Also has anyone used Miracle Grow's cactus potting mix as well?

Thanks

Dave

[Gonzer]

Dave, your recipe is almost the same as Don Hodel recommends as the best for potted palms; Miracle Gro® Potting Soil and coarse, washed builders sand in a 50-50 ratio.

[SubTropicRay]

I swear by Jungle Growth potting mix.  It has never let me down.

[Trópico]

Who carries Jungle Growth Potting mix? I've never seen it out there.

[palmmermaid]

I buy it at Lowe's.  Home Depot doesn't carry it, at least not here.

[SunnyFl]

Home Depot doesn't carry Jungle Growth here either.   Don't know about Lowe's.   I'm currently using Miracle Gro, mixing it with builders' sand and Canadian Peat.

For people using Jungle Growth - does it need to be mixed with sand or is it a better-draining mix than Miracle Gro?

[SubTropicRay]

Sunny,

Jungle Growth is very light and drains extremely well.  It needs no amending before use.  I should be their spokesperson

Ray

[Phil]

Group,

Most commercially offered soils are produced so that the customer can easily pick up a bag and put it into his car.  If you put in too much sand or DG, you get too much weight and women can't lift it easily.  If you put in topsoil, it causes problems in shipping between states.  So, manufacturers use what fits these demands: peat moss, perlit, and some organics.  This makes a light mix good for "everyone".  Then they add some slow release fertilizer to advertise the big flowers that you'll get.  So, if you can't make your own, you have to ammend the store-bought soils.  Sand is a good additive.  I'd also consider a small amount of good loamy topsoil.  But, the stuff right out of the bag is not ideal by itself and will dry out quickly.  

Phil

[cfkingfish]

I use Jungle Growth as the base for all of my palms from germinating seed up to 3 gallon sizes.

[Trópico]

I've killed seedlings with pure Miracle Gro soil. I'll ammend from now on.

[SubTropicRay]

Ditto those results for me Frank.

[BobbyinNY]

this is interesting, guys.... I've been using Mostly Miracle Gro - Moisture control mix with about 30% perlite... So far I haven't had any problems, but I like the idea of adding sand to the mix for draining... Can you use regular beach sand, or do you specifically need builder's-grade sand?

[Jason in Orlando]

I was also using Miracle Grow and perlite (50/50) and have switched to using Jungle Growth without ammendment.  It is much faster draining than Miracle Grow in my opinion.  It's also cheaper.  I get it at Lowe's.

Jason

[Gonzer]

Bobby, builders sand has been thoroughly washed whereas beach sand is loaded with salts and other nasties. Never, ever use beach sand for anything but sand castles.

[ron@springhammock]

(Jason in Orlando @ May 29 2007,18:17)

QUOTE

I was also using Miracle Grow and perlite (50/50) and have switched to using Jungle Growth without ammendment.  It is much faster draining than Miracle Grow in my opinion.  It's also cheaper.  I get it at Lowe's.

Jason

Before they sold Miracle-Gro potting mix around here, Jungle Growth was my favorite, but now I mostly use Miracle-Gro and almost always amended with perlite though never at 50/50.   Jungle Growth has a very high  Pine Bark content that gives it the fast drainage, but I also think it tends to break down faster than a mix with more peat like Miracle-Gro.  They do sell a "Professional Blend" that appears to resemble Miracle-Gro with the higher peat content.  I like to keep a bag of Jungle Growth, regular blend, around as top dressing.  It gives the potted plants a nice "mulched" look.

[Alicehunter2000]

Great thread.......I've been using Jungle Growth from Lowe's as well and was wondering if it needed to be mixed with anything. So far, so good unamended.

[Logolight]

(BobbyinNY @ May 29 2007,14:49)

QUOTE

this is interesting, guys.... I've been using Mostly Miracle Gro - Moisture control mix with about 30% perlite... So far I haven't had any problems, but I like the idea of adding sand to the mix for draining... Can you use regular beach sand, or do you specifically need builder's-grade sand?

The sand I've been using is leveling sand, only because until now I didn't know there was builder's sand available.  Leveling sand is finer than builder's sand but so far my Spindle and Bottle seem to like it.  Where can you find builder's sand?  Lowe's, HD?

Also, all of my Carpie and Fox seedlings are in 1 gal. pots with  Miracle Gro only and no sand but are doing well as of now.  However, the next time I repot them they'll all be in a sandy mix.