Three-month results from a comparison of three different container soils
Photo © Jon VanZile

Three months ago, I launched a comparison test of three potting mixes: a custom blend based on pine bark fines, Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, and Miracle-Gro Garden Soil (which isn't even meant for container gardens). It didn't take long to see which one performed better--and there's a lesson here for all of us who want really healthy plants.

Check out the results here.

I remember when I started really using controlled-release fertilizers. Great stuff. Drop it in the pot and forget about it for a few months. I still use CRFs all the time. But (and there's always a but) I still think there's no doubt: liquid fertilizers, used correctly, result in better, bigger and healthier plants. Liquid nutrients are simply more available to the plant, and they tend to be delivered in larger, more effective doses. So I still use CRFs, but when I want a plant to really shine, I reach for the water-soluble or liquid fertilizers.

How's that for the longest blog post title ever?

I am, of course, referring to phalaenopsis orchids. Lots of people get these plants as gifts, but then don't know what to do next. So for your handy reference, I've compiled a list of the most common phal questions and their answers:

Just because this is a sort of funny story ...

I decided to try out some coconut coir for a potting media, so I went out and bought an expandable block of cheap coconut coir, dropped it into a garbage can, poured the water in, and waited. And waited. And waited.

I don't know what I expected, but I thought SOMETHING would happen. Like, isn't the stuff supposed to grow into a fluffy potting media? At least that's what the label said. Well, that certainly didn't happen.

After two hours, the block had disintegrated into a glorpy, brown sludge. No expansion at all. So I guess I learned something here: not all coconut coir is created equal.

Anyway, I ended up composting the sludge and I'm now in the market for a better coconut coir for my experiment.