Re: In-ground Planting Mix

From: plantnut plantnut at macconnect.com> on 2001.07.16 at 19:42:40(7045) Dump the coir.... It will decompose within a year!!!!! Dewey >I've dug out a modest area inside my greenhouse for an in-ground +More >planting area. After placing a 4 - 5" [10-12 cm] layer of drain rock in >the bottom of this pit, I'll be topping up with another 18 - 20" [45-50 cm] >worth of planting mix; as the native soil here in the San Francisco area >is essentially clay. > >My intent is to grow a mixed collection of tropicals in this bed. >>From Araceae: Amorphophallus, Anchomanes, Anthurium, Alocasia, Dieff., >Philo's, etc. etc.; some Heliconia, various Zingiberaceae, Bromeliads, Palms, >Cycads... the usual suspects! > >Does anybody out there have any experience/ words of advice concerning >conservatory (in-ground) soil mixes or specific materials to either use or >avoid? >I'm considering a mix comprised of locally available components which I'm >blending at the approximate ratio of >- 40% coir (in lieu of peat moss) >- 30% red lava gravel (graded 1/4" size [6.5 mm], clean) >- 20 % fir bark (also graded 1/4", clean) >- 10% horticultural sand > >My sample of the above looks great- but I'm really concerned what it'll turn >into 5 years from now. Especially since my preference is to not dig out the >entire bed and replace the contents much before 2010, if at all possible. > >What do the under-glass botanical gardens do? >Anything special used for the beds inside MOBOT's Climatron for example? > >Thanks, > -Dan Your source for Tropical Araceae http://members.macconnect.com/users/p/plantnut/

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