They sell Pro Mix in 2.8 and 3.8 cubic ft bags. (They call the 3.8 a bail). It is clear to me that one is more compressed than the other, so it's not really that the bag is only 1 cubic ft smaller than the bail. Does anyone know what the actual, usable volume is for each? I can get the bag for about $18 and the bail for $38. What is the best deal?

I had a similar issue with Sphagnum Moss, one supplier sells it by volume and another by weight. FYI the $4 bags at Home Depot weigh about .5 oz. (32 per lb!)

The local hydroponic store sell the 60lb. compressed bail for $29.99 and 4/$100.
I purchased one because my UPM is all frozen. I liked it and I will go back and buy the 4/$100 deal.


As for the sphagnum moss. Search at amazon. That's where I got my compressed bail a couple years ago. This thing will last a long long time.

This is from November 2012,

Items Ordered

Price

1 of: Long Fiber Sphagnum Moss - 12 Cubic Feet - 11 Lbs - 6 Star Quality Sold by: Growers Supply Network (seller profile) Condition: New This is perfect Orchid Grower quality sphagnum moss - 6 star grade. Lo... see more This is perfect Orchid Grower quality sphagnum moss - 6 star grade. Lowest price anywhere. Hand picked in Chile. see less <div style="width: 500px;">This is perfect Orchid Grower quality sphagnum moss - 6 star grade. Lowest price anywhere. Hand picked in Chile.</div> $35.00

According to the company's web site at http://www.pthorticulture.com/en/pro-mix-hp-mycorrhizae-growing-medium/ the 3.8 CF bale is 60-75 pounds and the 2.8 CF bag is 25-70 pounds, so I think it's fair to say that you get a little bit more than twice as much in the 3.8 CF bale.  I've paid $31 in Sacramento at a large soil facility for the 3.8 CF bag and I want to check out a huge nearby hydroponic shop to see what kind of prices they offer.

Thanks rafed, I just ordered that sphagnum moss. Even used my $5 Amazon Credit. (FYI it's 1.1 lbs not 11 lbs). I figure it's about as much as 32 of those Home Depot bags.

Thanks Harvey. I figured it was something like that. The bail is about 20% cheaper.

This is what I have just so I am on the same page with everyone else.
Is this the same one you gentlemen are talking about?

That's the one! I mix mine 50/50 w pine bark fines up to 3 gallon size. (with lime and ozmacote) I need to find a different mix when I up pot from there as this is getting expensive. I need to bump quite a few to 10 and 15 gal pots this year. I'll prob do some kind of topsoil, horse manure, compost, pearlite blend.

That's it Rafed.

What type of stores sell the Promix Hp? I've looked for it but haven't seen it.

Thanks Dennis.

@Jenn42,
Try searching the local hydroponics stores. They should carry it. Or you can visit the local ma and pa nurseries. I tend to shy away with those "Hi end" nursery store as they charge above premium prices to cater to the rich folks.

Good luck


@ADelmanto,
I'm not a big fan of mixing or adding perlite or pine bark to the mix. With my already established trees I like to retain the water over drainage. Especially during the hot and humid summer months. Lime and ozmacote is fine.

But that's just me.

Good luck with yours.

Thanks Rafed! I'll look for it this weekend.

Lowes by me sells the 2.8 cu ft HP bags.

Promix HP has one problem if used as a standalone in containers.
HP = High Porosity = added extra perlite.

Adding something heavier to the mix i found is needed or the pots here near the windy city
tend to blow over.
Next batch will try the regular promix or perhaps back to Upm which
i like as well with a little added extra goodies for good measure.  ; )

ADelmanto
I add 30+% wood chips (min. one year old) to the ProMix to economize. No complaints from the plants.

Martin I would not adjust the mix based on the wind. The roots need what they need. Gravel on the bottom may work. But what I would do is either use a Top Hat, cut the bottom off of 1 pot, flip it upside down, and insert your pot into the hole. This creates an extremely stable base. Or you could do pot in pot.
http://www.amleo.com/Better-Bilt-Top-Hat-Plant-Container-Stabilizer/p/VP-3PS/

ADelmanto i understand as everyone has there own way of dong things.
Had an Italian friend the one that snuck in scionwood in his suit pocket from Italy (long story)
use cement chunks at the bottom of his containers.

Many different ways.

I use pine bark Mini's and promix 50-50 and top off with about 3" of granular lime.
Vito

I been using the regular pro mix I buy from Home depot for 15.00 for a 4cf bale works real good.

Promix HP dries out too quickly for me so I add 5% pine bark and 2-3% NAPA floor dry for cuttings and at least twice that for older plants.  Last year I used more pine bark than promix.  The year before that I was getting the 3.8 cu' bales for $25.  Now, since I moved, I can't find it cheaper than $38.

I haven't bought the HP but I use the BX w/biofungicide. http://www.pthorticulture.com/en/pro-mix-bx-biofungicide-biostimulant-growing-medium/

For a 3.8 cu. bale I pay $28.99

Martin
You should check your local Home Depot they have it all the time.

It appears that ProMiX prices of the same types (HP, BX etc) vary a lot from pace to place.
What causes these variations; sales volume, profit margins, shipping costs to retailers because of distance from the manufacturers or just arbitrary price fixing if customers willing to pay ??