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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > How to make Potting Mixes by Dr. O'Rourke
 
 


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Dan_la

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 

 

nypd5229

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 

Is this a guessing contest?
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Dominick
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go4broek

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 

lol. that Dr. sure can write!
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Ruben
Cibolo, TX/Zone 8b
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Check out my online journal @ http://davesgarden.com/community/journals/vbc/go4broek/83546/
snaglpus

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 

Man look at all that white space!  Cool!
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Dennis
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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Hey Dan, your April Fool's Day joke is 25 days too late :-)
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 

uh oh.  did you run over the content of your post with a lawn mower and ATV also?  ;)
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Jason
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snaglpus

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 

keep them coming guys!  I can't hardly type because I am laughing so hard!
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Dennis
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Posted Reply with quote  #8 

I just hope Dan takes it in stride  =)
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Jason
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Dan_la

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Shucks...........dang darn it!! Not meant to be joke.

My son came over unannounced with his two boys and I ended up watching them for the day. I just had begun this thread when the door bell rang. Will delete this thread and start all over later. I will give some different recipes for potting mixes that Dr. O'Rourke (the fig breeder) has listed in his book....."Gardening in the Humid South".  His stuff is designed for for growing container plants in the South.  I've heard that Tapla's (AKA....Al's) potting mix is not good for our area....have to water way too often. 

Potting figs today.

later.......
Figluvah

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Dan,

If it was me I wouldn't delete it, mainly because you couldn't delete the whole thread.

Now, I've put in my two cents!
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Cecil (Z 8b?) in the sticks of E.Tx

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genecolin

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Thanks for clarifying that Dan, for a while I thought your mind had gone blank, ha. Looking forward to Dr. O'Rourke mix, for a fact Dr. Al's mix is too free draining, requiring watering twice a day on very hot and windy days.
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From the bayou,
"gene"

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Dan_la

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 

Gene, our having that conversation the other day is why I will be posting that information. Dr. O'Rourke forgot more horticulture information than most people know about it. These guys who write books usually know their stuff as opposed to those who just pontificate and bloviate!!! 

FYI......I have some container figs that came from LSU and have no problems with their very simple potting mix that they use. They believe in the KISS process. Keep It Simple Stupid.............


Ceci, this whole thread will go away if I delete the original posting. Been there....done dat!!

Dan
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Figluvah

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
HAHA..........I member
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Cecil (Z 8b?) in the sticks of E.Tx

(Elkhart/Palestine TX)
gorgi

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
I own many gardening books, including one co-authored by E. N. O'Rourke Jr.
Here is a (poor) scan of this book's Appendix B:
That is more-less what I do; also note the lime is also very sparingly used... 

Attached Images
jpeg O_R_SoilMix1.jpeg (547.50 KB, 78 views)
jpeg O_R_SoilMix2.jpeg (272.74 KB, 65 views)


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George, NJ_z7a.

Dan_la

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
George,

That's what I was going to write about.....why not scan the other few pages and save me some witing time. Also, note what he says about CARBON DIOXIDE in his book. That is a varible no one is talking about as it relates to "fig rooting". I picked up on this idea from that book. 

His co-author, Dr. Standifer, is a retired LSU Professsor of Horticulture too. LSU kept an office avaliable for Standifer and O'Rourke even after they retired. 

Dan
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snaglpus

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Well Dan we knew something was happening.  We all had fun teasing.  I'm still laughing at some comments.  I do think that a pH of 6 or 6.5 is what is really needed for figs.  We all say 7 is good but I believe that is because 7 is totally neutral.  The reason I say a pH of 6 or 6.5 is best is because I had a tree that had a pH of 6 and it was awesome.  Here is the story...

Two years ago, I accompanied my wife for a week long all expenses paid trip to Vegas.  She was there on business and I went along just to travel and see Vegas.  It was my first time in Vegas.  I spent one entire day searching for fig tree nurseries.  I found one.  They had Black Jack, Kadota, Brown Turkey and Celeste in stock.  Now, these trees were huge 5 gallon size trees and over 4 foot tall.  I asked to ship it and they said, their permit did not allow them to ship out of state.  So, I bought one Kadota.  The leaves on this tree was HUGE and dark green.  It had lots of figs on it and it was a chore for me but I was able to mail it to myself in NC.  It arrive the day after I got home.  It arrived in perfect condition with only loosing one fig on the tree.  I pulled it from the container and inspected the roots and soil.  I think the soil was in pure aged black compost.  I tested it and the pH was 6.  I tested all my other trees and they were 7.  But my Kadota was absolutely goregous!  The leaves were huge and the fruit on that tree was so sweet.  Needless to say, I lost the tree that year due to our winter freeze.  I protected it but it was not enough.  But I do think a pH of 6 works wonders for figs, that's my observation.  cheers,
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Dennis
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Dan_la

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Dennis.....it is all good!! I'm still laughing too.

I grow all of my fig trees in the ground and have never ever checked my soil for pH. They do well with watering on occasion and a bit of fertilizer. Your observation is a good one based on actual experience. I'm sure that information will be of benefit to others. A fig tree will tell you when the pH is not right. Fig trees seem to be able to adapt to different climates and soil types real well. They often REBEL when you change any of the conditions that they have gotten used to.

....what I found interesting about O'Rourke's comments regarding pine bark was its different pH's. I always thought of it as strictly acidic.

Dan
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nkesh099

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
You can view this the book for free on-line. Its called, "Gardening in the humid South".

On Amazon.com --> then click on the book cover on the left, which allows you to view the whole book for free.


Also on Google books:
Dan_la

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 

You can view the PREVIEW for "free". You must still buy the book to get to all of the wisdom and good stuff. IMO, it is worth every penny.......

Want a tip on how to extend your tomato season?? Wrap burlap around a wire cage around the plant....keeping the top open to the air. Frost CANNOT form on the tomato plant, it will only form on the burlap. So you can plant them earlier in the season without getting that frost damage.  This book is well seasoned with such simple tips like this .............

Dan
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goldie

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 

Thank you soooo much. I was just about to go to the store for potting mix!
Fatnsassytexan

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
I got my copy on Ebay for almost nothing. It's a good place to buy books. Is used, but looks brand new.
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Tim
Southeast Texas
Zone 9
Wish List:Noire de Caromb, Maltese Beauty,Socorro Black, Others especially tight eyed varieties.
noss

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
I got mine on eBay, as well, used, but great condition.  Remember to look at the person's feedback ratings.  IMO, it is pretty reliable with books.

noss
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noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.
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