Is it safe to use only peat moss?

*Dearly Depotted* · 10-07-2020, 01:08 PM

I am only using peat moss for soil. Only doing that b/c I have to keep the plants indoors and didn’t want them to be overwatered! I have killed tons of my plants that way over the years! Do you think it’s safe to do this? Thanks in advance!

Backyard Banana Joe · 10-07-2020, 05:42 PM

I would think peat moss would be the opposite of well draining, that would be vermiculite......

*Dearly Depotted* · 10-07-2020, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backyard Banana Joe

I would think peat moss would be the opposite of well draining, that would be vermiculite......

You know I would have never thought of that! Sure I just bought a ton of peat moss! Well, hey I’ll give vermiculite a try! Thanks so much!

edwmax · 10-07-2020, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Dearly Depotted*

You know I would have never thought of that! Sure I just bought a ton of peat moss! Well, hey I’ll give vermiculite a try! Thanks so much!

I don't think you will like the vermiculite. It hold more water than the perlite and break down over time. Vermiculite is more like a sponge.

Why not use a low cost potting soil mixed 50%/50% with perlite?? This will give a well draining potting mix with some body to hold a little water while being airy. .... These low cost mixes are usually 25-30% pete; a fine ground bark; and some perlite.

I'm able to buy a nursery mix with a large percentage of course pine bark which works very well for bananas. One cu yd of the bark mix (about 30 bags of potting mix +/-) was only $35.

bananaT · 10-07-2020, 06:44 PM

Your keeping them inside for winter?
A 50/50 mix would work well.

I use straight peat for getting new suckers started. It actually stops the growth of mold & what not very well.

*Dearly Depotted* · 10-08-2020, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwmax

I don't think you will like the vermiculite. It hold more water than the perlite and break down over time. Vermiculite is more like a sponge.

Why not use a low cost potting soil mixed 50%/50% with perlite?? This will give a well draining potting mix with some body to hold a little water while being airy. .... These low cost mixes are usually 25-30% pete; a fine ground bark; and some perlite.

I'm able to buy a nursery mix with a large percentage of course pine bark which works very well for bananas. One cu yd of the bark mix (about 30 bags of potting mix +/-) was only $35.

I’m glad to know about vermiculite! Yeah you’re right I wouldn’t want it to hold a lot of water! It does sound really interesting about the perlite mix! That’s a lot of soil for $35! Wow! By any chance do you happen to know the name of it? Where to find it? If not I understand! Thanks so much for you reply!

*Dearly Depotted* · 10-08-2020, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bananaT

Your keeping them inside for winter?
A 50/50 mix would work well.

I use straight peat for getting new suckers started. It actually stops the growth of mold & what not very well.

Yeah I have to keep my plants indoors over winter b/c I live in Northeastern Ohio! It gets too cold to leave them outdoors all year! Really? I am glad to know that it won’t hurt to use peat moss! At least for this season anyway! Relief! Glad to know that stops the mold & such from growing! It may just work out great for me! Fingers crossed!

edwmax · 10-08-2020, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Dearly Depotted*

I’m glad to know about vermiculite! Yeah you’re right I wouldn’t want it to hold a lot of water! It does sound really interesting about the perlite mix! That’s a lot of soil for $35! Wow! By any chance do you happen to know the name of it? Where to find it? If not I understand! Thanks so much for you reply!

I live near the plant that makes the nursery soil-less mixes (2 miles). The product is delivered by the truck load to nurseries. They do sell to local walk in customers small quantities (loader scoop) but you need a truck, trailer or container. They do have 2 outlets in Florida. Check their website to see if the outlets have the mixes in stock and are close to you. Graco Fertilizer Company | Graco Fertilizer Company

Backyard Banana Joe · 10-08-2020, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwmax

I don't think you will like the vermiculite. It hold more water than the perlite and break down over time. Vermiculite is more like a sponge.

Why not use a low cost potting soil mixed 50%/50% with perlite?? This will give a well draining potting mix with some body to hold a little water while being airy. .... These low cost mixes are usually 25-30% pete; a fine ground bark; and some perlite.

I'm able to buy a nursery mix with a large percentage of course pine bark which works very well for bananas. One cu yd of the bark mix (about 30 bags of potting mix +/-) was only $35.

ALways getting pertile and vermiculite mixed up. Went to the store and said, "Where is your vermiculite? No, i ment Perlite." Lol

*Dearly Depotted* · 10-08-2020, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backyard Banana Joe

ALways getting pertile and vermiculite mixed up. Went to the store and said, "Where is your vermiculite? No, i ment Perlite." Lol

Very funny! Don’t feel so bad. I think I didn’t even know what vermiculite was until I looked it up! Boy am I embarrassed!

*Dearly Depotted* · 10-08-2020, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwmax

I live near the plant that makes the nursery soil-less mixes (2 miles). The product is delivered by the truck load to nurseries. They do sell to local walk in customers small quantities (loader scoop) but you need a truck, trailer or container. They do have 2 outlets in Florida. Check their website to see if the outlets have the mixes in stock and are close to you. Graco Fertilizer Company | Graco Fertilizer Company

Thanks so much! You know what I was just about ready to tell you how funny that I had heard of this company before! I typed it and everything. Just as I was going to send it I realized that no I haven’t heard of them! I’m thinking of Graco baby car seat company!

I figured someone might get a laugh about that! Anyway, I looked up the company as soon as I saw your reply. I was excited to look and see where they sell this. I found out though that they are only in a couple of southern states. Wouldn’t you know it I’m in Northeastern Ohio! I wonder if my relatives who live in Florida would get it for me! I would then have a real good reason to visit wouldn’t I! Thank you again!

edwmax · 10-09-2020, 03:13 AM

But someone in Ohio makes ~~spoiless~~ soiless mixes for nurseries there. Stop by a local nursery and ask where they get their ~~soles~~ soiless mix. You also might ask ~~local~~ a local landscaper where he gets his pine bark mulch.

*Dearly Depotted* · 10-09-2020, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwmax

But someone in Ohio makes spoiless mixes for nurseries there. Stop by a local nursery and ask where they get their soles mix. You also might ask local a local landscaper where he gets his pine bark mulch.

You’re probably right! I will go and check it out! Thanks for mentioning that!

aruzinsky · 04-09-2021, 09:43 PM

Once pure peat moss dries out, it is nearly impossible to wet again without physically mixing water with it. That's why people add things such as pearlite.

Long ago, my mother put a burning cigarette butt in a flower box filled with dried out peat moss. The peat moss developed a smoldering fire that stunk up the neighborhood and pouring water on it wouldn't put it out.

*Dearly Depotted* · 04-10-2021, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aruzinsky

Once pure peat moss dries out, it is nearly impossible to wet again without physically mixing water with it. That's why people add things such as pearlite.

Long ago, my mother put a burning cigarette butt in a flower box filled with dried out peat moss. The peat moss developed a smoldering fire that stunk up the neighborhood and pouring water on it wouldn't put it out.

Yeah I definitely learned my lesson about using only peat moss! Never again! OMG! I am shocked about the fire! I never would have thought that could happen! Pouring water wouldn’t stop it? Scary. Thanks so much for the kind reply & sharing the story about the fire!

10-07-2020, 01:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 646 BananaBucks : 110,521 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 607 Times Was Thanked 442 Times in 301 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Is it safe to use only peat moss? I am only using peat moss for soil. Only doing that b/c I have to keep the plants indoors and didn’t want them to be overwatered! I have killed tons of my plants that way over the years! Do you think it’s safe to do this? Thanks in advance! __________________ It’s long been a dream of mine to be able to grow real bananas off my own plants! So, please wish me luck on my quest to fulfill that dream!

10-07-2020, 05:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Backyard Banana Joe Location: Orlando FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 1,428 BananaBucks : 101,501 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,976 Times Was Thanked 1,984 Times in 935 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 184 Times	Re: Is it safe to use only peat moss? I would think peat moss would be the opposite of well draining, that would be vermiculite......

10-07-2020, 06:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
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10-09-2020, 03:13 AM	#12 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 91,977 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,741 Times Was Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,095 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	Re: Is it safe to use only peat moss? But someone in Ohio makes ~~spoiless~~ soiless mixes for nurseries there. Stop by a local nursery and ask where they get their ~~soles~~ soiless mix. You also might ask ~~local~~ a local landscaper where he gets his pine bark mulch. __________________ Last edited by edwmax : 10-09-2020 at 06:16 PM.

04-09-2021, 09:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
aruzinsky Location: IL Find me on the map! Zone: 6a (10 miles east of 5b) Name: Steve Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 499 BananaBucks : 170,529 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 788 Times in 317 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: Is it safe to use only peat moss? Once pure peat moss dries out, it is nearly impossible to wet again without physically mixing water with it. That's why people add things such as pearlite. Long ago, my mother put a burning cigarette butt in a flower box filled with dried out peat moss. The peat moss developed a smoldering fire that stunk up the neighborhood and pouring water on it wouldn't put it out.

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