Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems.

KokoTheMonkey · 05-21-2013, 05:33 PM

This actually isn't a banana specific question (my banana won't be big enough for this to cause a problem for a long time) but I might be running into this problems with some other plants.

The problem being soil compacting too much and causing problems with aeration. Suggestions to prevent this are things like a layer of clay pellets in the bottom of the container, sand or even rocks.

However:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Smart pots are a great way to kill plants. Customers bring them in all the time. Fungus and pests get into the water supply and kill the plants from the bottom up. It's the next worst thing to putting a layer of rocks in the bottom of your pots.

So uhm...is taking them out of the pots and putting them back in every year the best solution? Or is there anything that can be used that doesn't have this problem?

sunfish · 05-21-2013, 05:54 PM

Using Perlite in Potted Plants

2woodensticks · 05-21-2013, 05:59 PM

you could use perlite,charcoal,small lava rocks..helps keep airspaces..several soil amendments for keeping soil open..

wolfyhound · 05-21-2013, 07:16 PM

Perlite and vermiculite. I still haven't quite gotten the mix right in my lizard cage, but mixing sand, soil and vermiculite can give you a "fluffy" mix that doesn't compact as badly as soil does.

Abnshrek · 05-21-2013, 07:25 PM

I use all purpose sand that has alot of pebbles in it on top of using perlite.. :^)

sunfish · 05-21-2013, 07:34 PM

you can use chicken grit if you want. Large particles that do not break down. Whateveryou do don't use fine sand

PR-Giants · 05-21-2013, 08:28 PM

I use coarse sand and maybe there's something better, but I'm satisfied with the results.

may 15

may 22

apr 26

may 10

KokoTheMonkey · 05-23-2013, 10:53 AM

Does anyone have any experience with vermiculite for plants that prefer moist soil? Would this have the same effect on aeration as perlite?

And just how much perlite should be used? I used 1/3 (1/3 coco peat and 1/3 organic compost) in the few plants I repotted in the last days. Is coco peat not easily compacted? Or should I change the mix to 2/3 perlite and 1/3 compost?

sunfish · 05-23-2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KokoTheMonkey

Does anyone have any experience with vermiculite for plants that prefer moist soil? Would this have the same effect on aeration as perlite?

And just how much perlite should be used? I used 1/3 (1/3 coco peat and 1/3 organic compost) in the few plants I repotted in the last days. Is coco peat not easily compacted? Or should I change the mix to 2/3 perlite and 1/3 compost?

All the commercial mix are perlite and peat moss,

sunfish · 05-23-2013, 11:17 AM

Potting Soil Recipes: Organic Gardening

Romul · 05-23-2013, 01:42 PM

I'm adding the substrate pieces of bark and charcoal 2-3 cm. Before that, I pour boiling water over it and give cool. At the bottom of the container carefully stack of 6-8 sm of expanded clay. In the container without bark and coal bananas grow worse.

sunfish · 05-23-2013, 03:43 PM

There is probably as many soil recipes as there are chicken recipes

Dalmatiansoap · 05-23-2013, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

There is probably as many soil recipes as there are chicken recipes

UR using chicken recipes for planting?

sunfish · 05-23-2013, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalmatiansoap

UR using chicken recipes for planting?

Yes I substitute perlite for cottage cheese.

Dalmatiansoap · 05-23-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Yes I substitute perlite for cottage cheese.

Yup, heard about that but unfortunaly I cant apply it. U see my bananas are lactose intolerant so I had to turn to sintetics. Bummer.

pniksch · 05-24-2013, 01:48 PM

What's a 'smart pot"?

sunfish · 05-24-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pniksch

What's a 'smart pot"?

https://www.google.com/search?q=smar...ient=firefox-a

pniksch · 05-24-2013, 05:30 PM

Thanks.

celastrus · 06-08-2013, 01:18 AM

Search for: Container Soils Water Movement Tapla
You don't need pebbles or rocks in the bottom, they don't help at all. The compaction layer just goes higher and around the rocks if you use them, the area for roots to grow is reduced and you still get root rot issues eventually. What you need is a soil mix that stays aerated for a longer period, and that search will provide you with the answers.

05-21-2013, 05:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,002,382 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. Using Perlite in Potted Plants

05-21-2013, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
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05-21-2013, 07:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
wolfyhound Location: NE Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Wolfyhound Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 406 BananaBucks : 54,807 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 393 Times Was Thanked 423 Times in 195 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 67 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. Perlite and vermiculite. I still haven't quite gotten the mix right in my lizard cage, but mixing sand, soil and vermiculite can give you a "fluffy" mix that doesn't compact as badly as soil does.

05-21-2013, 07:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 214,598 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,443 Times in 5,238 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. I use all purpose sand that has alot of pebbles in it on top of using perlite.. :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

05-21-2013, 07:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,002,382 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. you can use chicken grit if you want. Large particles that do not break down. Whateveryou do don't use fine sand

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05-21-2013, 08:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
PR-Giants Commercial Grower Location: Florida & Greater Antilles Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,616 BananaBucks : 6,079 Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,927 Times Was Thanked 12,649 Times in 3,693 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3,215 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. I use coarse sand and maybe there's something better, but I'm satisfied with the results. may 15 may 22 apr 26 may 10 __________________ PR-Giants Photo Gallery 15,000+ Varieties Last edited by PR-Giants : 05-22-2013 at 05:57 PM.

05-23-2013, 10:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
KokoTheMonkey Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 18 BananaBucks : 18,360 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 21 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. Does anyone have any experience with vermiculite for plants that prefer moist soil? Would this have the same effect on aeration as perlite? And just how much perlite should be used? I used 1/3 (1/3 coco peat and 1/3 organic compost) in the few plants I repotted in the last days. Is coco peat not easily compacted? Or should I change the mix to 2/3 perlite and 1/3 compost?

05-23-2013, 11:17 AM	#10 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,002,382 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. Potting Soil Recipes: Organic Gardening

05-23-2013, 01:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
Romul Location: Russia, Moscow Name: Romul Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 64 BananaBucks : 7,330 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 17 Times Was Thanked 35 Times in 28 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 100 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. I'm adding the substrate pieces of bark and charcoal 2-3 cm. Before that, I pour boiling water over it and give cool. At the bottom of the container carefully stack of 6-8 sm of expanded clay. In the container without bark and coal bananas grow worse.

05-23-2013, 03:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,002,382 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. There is probably as many soil recipes as there are chicken recipes

05-24-2013, 01:48 PM	#16 (permalink)
pniksch Find me on the map! Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 60 BananaBucks : 6,429 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 5 Times Was Thanked 46 Times in 29 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 21 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. What's a 'smart pot"?

05-24-2013, 05:30 PM	#18 (permalink)
pniksch Find me on the map! Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 60 BananaBucks : 6,429 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 5 Times Was Thanked 46 Times in 29 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 21 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. Thanks.

06-08-2013, 01:18 AM	#19 (permalink)
celastrus Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1 BananaBucks : 773 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Preventing soil from compacting without causing problems. Search for: Container Soils Water Movement Tapla You don't need pebbles or rocks in the bottom, they don't help at all. The compaction layer just goes higher and around the rocks if you use them, the area for roots to grow is reduced and you still get root rot issues eventually. What you need is a soil mix that stays aerated for a longer period, and that search will provide you with the answers.

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