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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > From bag to pot. Particle size is everything.
 
 


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milehighgirl

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Posted Reply with quote  #51 
So I purchased a huge bag of #4 commercial perlite and went about sifting. I have a 1/4" x 1/4" hardware cloth sifter that I use for other purposes. I was surprised that eventually all but a hand full of chunks went through the mesh. Am I being too diligent? Just a few shakes and that's good enough?
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USDA Zone 5b, Sunset 2b

Looking for: Becane, Dalmatie, Doree, Florea, Hanc's EBT, Italian 258, LaRadek's EBT, Longue d'Aout, Marseilles White , Negronne, Nordland, Sal's EL, Strawberry Vert, ...anything cold hardy and short season. (Willing to pay for cuttings)
james

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Posted Reply with quote  #52 
I think 1/4 inch is to large. My main goal is to remove the powder and the very small pieces.
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In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b)
In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 

2016 Wish List:  Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine.  Iranian figs are always welcome.
MichaelTucson

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Posted Reply with quote  #53 
I use 1/8" mesh.  A lot still goes through, but it's a more reasonable yield per bag.

Mike
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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #54 
I use 1/8 as well and you still lose close to 50%.  
james

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Posted Reply with quote  #55 
So I screened 2 X 20 gallon tubs of mulch (thanks for the tip Calvin) through a 1/8th inch screen.  

20150423_181608.jpg  

The tub on the left (screened twice )and center (screened once) were full when I started.  The bin on the right contains what passed through the screen.  It is just about half full or 25% of the what I started with.  The mulch was still damp from the rain we had last week.  I was able to get about 20% more out of the second pass than the first.  

About 3-4 cups of dirt per cubic feet washes out of the expanded shale I use.  I'll see how much fine particle passes tomorrow.  I went with the Pahrock perlite this year, so I should have less pass through.
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In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b)
In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 

2016 Wish List:  Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine.  Iranian figs are always welcome.
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