Media question

[Missi]

Normally I pot up my smaller understory palms that in a mix of Miracle Gro Palm/Citrus/Cactus soil mixed with medium or small pumice. I (and more importantly the roots!) hate how the soil becomes broken down and muddy after time regardless of how much pumice is used. Thoughts on using a coco peat/perlite (plus the pumice) mix instead of the soil? Would it be worth the extra cost? I want to do whatever is healthiest for my palms roots regardless of price. This is regarding Pinanga, Licuala, Iguanura,  Calyptrocalyx, Hydriastele, etc.

[PalmatierMeg]

I avoid all Miracle Gro products as they are the same black muck in rainbow colored bags. MG should be sued for monopolizing the garden center market.

I use Kellogg brand soil, which is only available at Home Depot. It is coarse and free draining. I mix it with approximately 1/3 rehydrated coco coir and 1/3 perlite to make a lighter mix. All my other garden soils choices were eventually ousted and replaced by MG muck at Lowe’s. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen with Kellogg brand at HD.

BTW, this past spring even Aldi’s had $3.00 bags of garden soil that was far superior to Miracle Gro

[RichardHemsley]

For small / young palms in pots I use a mix of coco fibre and perlite at about a 70/30 ratio. As they get bigger I add in some standard light local compost to the mix when repotting. 

[floridaPalmMan]

I finally stopped purchasing that stuff mostly because of the expense and started making my own. It's a little daunting and a bit more work at first, but it saves a ton of money in the long run and is healthier for the palms.

I now buy a bulk 60/40 compost/manure from a local dealer as the base. The recipe then is:

1 part compost/manure, 1 part uncolored soft wood or cypress/pine mulch, 1 part perlite, 1 part sand.

Then I top the pots with a layer the mulch to keep the perlite from floating out.

This makes a really nutritious but fast soil that can still retain moisture with plenty of aeration for roots. It's been amazing for potted palm growth so far. Also, if you need to stretch your base out a little more, you can always add a little extra mulch in the mix just to get those few last palms potted up.

[SeanK]

If MG is what you have, I suggest some mini pine bark and/or pea gravel.

[PalmsInBaltimore]

If you're willing to do whatever it takes, then absolutely 100% yes do not skimp on the soil. Avoid Miracle Grow products like @PalmatierMeg said above. It's really the worst and the "cactus/citrus mix" especially is pure evil in a bag. Killed my first lime tree using that mix and I would never let it within 10 feet of any of my cacti.

Ideally, go for a PEAT FREE soil. My choice is Organic Mechanics cactus and succulent blend. Great stuff, I always have a few quarts on hand. The Kellogg one is pretty good too -- very chunky and drains really well. I have to worry about underwatering it for my tomatoes, vegetables, and strawberries. I think it must have a higher concentration of bark or something.