GARDEN LOAM POTTING SOIL

• Pass the garden loam through a 1/4 in (0.6 cm) sieve
• Warm oven to 180 degrees F (82 C) for 10 minutes
• Place on center rack
• Place foil over tray and make sure the soil reaches the above temperature. Use a meat thermometer

Potting soils using garden loam

• Potting soils should be placed through a sieve of the defined size:
• Loam=3/8 in (1 cm)
• Peat=3/8 in (1 cm)
• Sharp Sand=1/8 in (3 mm) NOTE: do not use builder sand. Make sure the same is washed thoughly
  

John Innes Potting Compost

JI #1 Base

7 parts sterilized loam

3 parts peat

2 parts sand or grit

Fertilizer: 4 oz / 8 gallons (3 grams / liter)

Lime or chalk: 3/4 oz / 8 gallons ( 0.5 grams / liter)

JI Seed compost: The fresher the sterilization, the better the germination

2 parts sterilized loam

1 part moss peat

1 part sharp sand

The loam and peat is put through in 3/8 in (9mm) sieve.

1-2 oz (42gm) superphosphate

1/2 oz Potassium nitrate

4-6 oz (21gm) ground limestone

Ericaceous Mix: Use the base but leave out the Lime

Soilless: 3 parts peat and 1 part sand

Potting Compost: (same as above)

7 parts sterilized loam

3 parts moss peat

2 parts sharp sand

The loam and peat is put through a 3/8 in (9mm) sieve.
To each bushel (8gal/36l) is added

3/4oz (21gm) ground limestone

4oz (110gm) 14-14-14 Osmocote

This makes John Innes Potting Compost No. 1.
For a richer mix simply double the quantity of
John Innes Base to make No. 2 or treble it to
make No.3

Orchid Mix

1 part peat moss

6 parts fir bark

1 part medium grade charcoal

Cacti Mix

1 part compost

3 parts pumice or grit

1 part coarse builders sad

1 part of fine silt

Seed Starting #2

4 parts peat

2 parts perlite

2 parts vermiculite

Alpines

9 parts coarse sand

5 parts peat

4 part pumice

Shade Mix

George Schenk's recipe for the ideal soil for growing plants in shade.

1 part humus (compost, peat, leaf mold, etc.)

1 part sand

2 parts loamy soil (builder's or riverside)

Blend in the above ratio. He further recommends screening both the humus and the soil so as to eliminate "roots, clods or rocks larger than a bantam's egg."

Cutting mix

1 part peat

1 part sharp sand

A. Knutson mixes

CORNELL MIXES

From Hobby Greenhouses in Alberta

Agdex 731-5

The Cornell peat-Lite Mix* is formulated for growing topical plants. The Foliage Plant Mix ** and the Epiphytic Mix** formulas are adapted specifically for their respective plant types and are modifications of the original peat-lite mix.

Cornell has used Osmocote 14-14-14 and Peters 14-7-7 fertilizers with the tropical plant mixes with good results. Other fertilizers are omitted with the exception of dolomitic limestone and 20 per cent superphosphate which are added to adjust the pH and to maintain adequate phosphorus levels. A trace element mix is added to assure a balance of minor elements. Trace element mixes can be purchased from specialty gardening centers.

* "Cornell Tropical Plant Mixes" by Russel C. Mott

**L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Cornell Peat-lite Mix

Mix 1/2 cubic meter each of sphagnum peat moss and perlite or vermiculite. Add 6kg dolomitic limestone, 2.4 kg ammonium nitrate, 1.5 kg superphosphate, and 0.3 kg potassium chloride (omit if using vermiculite).

Cornell Foliage Plant Mix

The Cornell Foliage Plant Mix was developed for those plant that need a growing medium with high moisture-retention characteristics. Plants having a fine root system or possessing many fine root hairs are included in this group.

Cornell Epiphytic Mix

The Cornell Epiphytic Mix was developed for plants that require good drainage, aeration and have the ability to withstand drying between warterings. Plants having coarse, tuberous, or rhizomatous roots are in this category.

* Fir bark comes from Douglas fir, white or red fir, or redwood, ground and screened to a definite size. Finally ground bark (about 0.5 cm) has a dry weight of about 200 g per liter cube. Fresh bark has a pH of about 5.0. Upon weathering, it becomes slightly more alkaline. The bark contains some nutrients, but these will not meet the requirements of growing plants.

Seed Mix

5 Bushels of Perlite (horticultural grade)
4 Bushels of Peat (Coarse grade)
3 Bags of Aqua Sand (Equivalent to approx. 3 Bushels)

Add by weight:

Add by weight:

Rate:
High rate-Late spring and summer potting of general nursery stock, until August 15.
Low rate-Potting of Ericaceous plants or general nursery stock after August 15.