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Good soil is essential for good plant growth.
Good soil is essential for good plant growth.
We have a simple Plant Mix that we use when potting our plants. It can be fine tuned to make it just right for any plant.
It's no secret that plants need a good amount of fertiliser but have you considered soil drainage? Our Plant Mix works well for most of our tropical plants. It provides adequate drainage, some pest protection and ongoing nutrients for 3-6 months. The pH level for each batch of Plant Mix is tested and adjusted if required using Garden Lime or Sulfur.
We use other specialty mixes for seeds, orchids, cacti and succulents, and water plants. Other substrates such as perlite, LECA (baked clay balls) and water are also essential to our nursery.
For indoor plants, the pot type and position are also considered when fine tuning our Plant Mix for individual plants.
Our Plant Mix suitable for most tropical plants is able to be easily made using:
Half Potting Mix
Quarter Perlite
Quarter Orchid Bark
Small Amount Horticultural Charcoal
Small Amount Slow Release Fertiliser
There are many soil ingredients you may already have at hand such as wood chips, sand, compost or manure. If you are mindful of proportions, these can absolutely be used in your soil mix. Too much of any ingredient will likely create an imbalance in the soil that requires some sort of counter measure.
We make use of as much as possible from around our yard including reuse of old soil (sun sterilised), sand and garden dirt. Old soil and sand are usually well draining and require only addition of more nutrients through fertiliser, compost or manure. Garden dirt is often fine and so requires addition of the same nutrients as well as some coarse orchid bark.
Additions such as coir, vermiculite and water crystals are generally only used as required for individual plants. Epsom salts and specific trace elements are added to address specific plant health needs if required.
To learn more about fertilising and nutrients, head to our Plant Science pages.
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