Thoughts on Sabal etonia/ miamiensis soil blend?

[Patrick]

Good morning,

 

In a few weeks I will be potting up my community pot of Sabal miamiensis. I've been digging around and searching the site a bit; but I just figured I would cut to the chase and ask for advice on what a good mix would be. I have a bunch of components around and was figuring I'd head to a couple stores for additional materials. What I currently have is:

 

Coco coir

peat

Pearlite

lava rock (small)

"play sand" 

Topsoil from my local garden center (mostly sand, loam and mulch/ bark/ organics. I've put many many yards of this stuff in my yard over the years).

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

[PalmatierMeg]

I have had trouble growing Sabal etonia in SWFL (it's a north central FL native). I suspect my problem might be soil. Soil in Central FL has more clay than the sandy soil along the coasts. My soil in Cape Coral is the sandiest calcareous alkaline shell rock dreck to grace the planet. Sabal miamiensis once grew on a limestone outcrop on SEFL. Miamiensis grows quite happily in my yard.

All that said, I don't believe Sabal spp are overly fussy about soil. They evolved in areas known for difficult climates and bad soils.

[Patrick]

On 2/20/2024 at 6:58 AM, PalmatierMeg said:

I have had trouble growing Sabal etonia in SWFL (it's a north central FL native). I suspect my problem might be soil. Soil in Central FL has more clay than the sandy soil along the coasts. My soil in Cape Coral is the sandiest calcareous alkaline shell rock dreck to grace the planet. Sabal miamiensis once grew on a limestone outcrop on SEFL. Miamiensis grows quite happily in my yard.

All that said, I don't believe Sabal spp are overly fussy about soil. They evolved in areas known for difficult climates and bad soils.

Thank you, Meg. I will go willy-nilly with whatever I dream up for the mix.