I need to pot up some started cuttings that I have growing in a big tub. I want to pot them to 1 gallon pots. What would be a good mix to plant them in?  I have vermiculite,composted pine bark,peat moss, cotton bur compost and Expert potting soil available.   Also, when a cutting grows 2 branches from the main stem, do you remove one of them?  Thanks

I use UPM and coarse perlite for my new rooted cuttings

I would not use Vermiculite unless in a very low amount as addition-holds too much moisture.

No need to cut a branch- Prune later if unhappy with look or growth- you always can subtract, not add.

out of what you have I would do this

3 parts pine bark, 1 part Peat, 1 part Vermiculite( I perfer Perlite or sand)
This is another members formula that works for him

I sometimes use Professional mix and cut with sand- you want very good drainage at this point- Cuttings at this time are still fragile and can readily fail.

Good luck

Hey Cecil, UPM is good stuff!  I can't get it in my area.  Got some Fafard Professional Potting Mix.  It's not the same as UPM but it is very light and airy like it and pretty darn close.  I've got a lot of cuttings to pot up today.  This will be my first time potting rooted cuttings with Fafard.  Even though UPM has some perlite in it.  You still add more?

Hi Dennis,

I have seen u guys rave about this stuff ( Fertilome UPM).

Do you know what the key difference is in it as compared to Pro-Mix.

I know its probably what you have available and its been black gold for you.

It just drives me crazy because I can't get a hold of it without driving 60-90 min or $120 in shipping.

But some also swear by Pro-Mix-Bx or the like.

Has to do with micro-nutrients?

Aya-My head hurts! haha

Hi Dom,

You guys talk it up so much that I'm jealous-There has to be something that seperates it from the others.

Black Gold it seems-LOL

Eventually - it all boils down to just plain dirt ( aka., also more known as soil)...

True.  I have used both too.  To me, UPM is better.  But I can't get it anymore.  However, I think Fafard Professional Potting Mix is the same as UPM.  It has the exact same stuff and is cheaper. I got lucky 3 years ago and got 3 bags of UPM for 20 bucks due to a error online.  The company honored the price and cancel UPM from their site.  But I tell you Fafard is the same as UPM.  If you can find it, give it a try.

Thanks for the replies.

I usually use what I have on hand. Some non Miracle Gro potting soil, sifted compost, perlite, vermiculite, ground coir(I like this stuff), maybe some small woods chips. I mix it up 'til it looks right, then moisten and let it sit overnight. I know my compost so I can correct my fertilizer to half strength fish/seaweed liquid.

Mike and I bought some soil conditioner to add to the topsoil we got to put under the inground tree out back.  We didn't finish everything the first day and that night, it rained hard.  When we checked to see how the soil did in the rain, we found that the soil had sunk through the mixture and all that was on top of the mix was fine pinebark mulch.  Very nice, small pieces.

I'm going to try sifting the soil out of it and use that for the potted figs in the potting mixes.

We got the soil conditioner at HD and it is called, Gardeneze Premium Soil Conditioner, if anyone is interested.  We can't find any bagged pinebark fines around here, so I was glad to see what had happened with the rain.  If we'd finished the whole area under the tree and put the mulch over the soil and soil conditioner, we'd never have seen what was in the soil conditioner.

noss

UPM is a proprietary formulation with chemicals in it that make it different. The stuff was designed for "rooting" as well as general usage.  UPM is the BEST stuff IMO.....use it if you can find it.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus