Potting soil ammendment

[tank]

Any issues with using either cedar or cypress as a soil ammendment?

Thanks!

[alex_7b]

If you're trying to improve the soil, use hardwood mulch or peat moss.

If you're looking for some top dressing, it's just a matter of appearance.

[tank]

This is for drainage.

I'm more looking for info on whether or not there are PH issues with either of these.  I'm looking for something that won't break down as quickly as pine "fines" and bark.

There is a local mill that sells various sizes of pine, cedar, and cypress for about $16 a cubic yard.

For the past few years I've been using a mix similar to the one posted on the jungle music site with a couple changes:

- I add extra perlite and pea gravel to replace the pumice, as I haven't been able to find a local source and the stuff at home depot is either too large or too expensive (orchid mix).

- I add extra pine bark to replace the redwood.

I was thinking cedar would be a good substitute for redwood.  Pine bark breaks down after a couple years.

My mix (remember, I don't know what I'm doing   )

30% coarse perlite

5% pea gravel

30% pine bark fines/castings

10% topsoil, manure, compost

15% peat

10% fill sand

Osmocote, micronutrient powder

I change it up a little for the more xeric species.

This is stuff that is locally available and inexpensive.

I've given up on commercial mixes.  These always seem to be too wet, even when advertised as "tree and shrub".

Any advice, changes, etc?

Thanks!