Anyone using Fafard 52 mix in SIP's ?
Just wondering if it wicks well enough .
Thanks ,
Kerry

I just bought a huge bag of Fafard 52 but I have not used it yet. It has to be better than just promix. Or even promix plus compost, which is what I have been using.

Kerry/Rafael, any update on how well this mix has worked for you in SWPs? If so what kind of SWP design did you go with? Any suggestions with adding material to the fafard mix?

I've been using straight mushroom compost for about 10 years. Old school Bills Figs
Works great

I'm not trying to say that compost wouldn't work. I am saying that based on everything I have read and seen, it would work less ideally. Now as to if it's like the difference between a Kia and a rolls royce or a Toyota or a Honda, that much I don't know.

I used it last year and mixed in some compost. The trees were larger and I root pruned them then potted them in bills sips. They grew ok and seemed to be fine getting water from the bottom. I hope they take off this year.

I really like the Fafard 52.
I did add compost (usually Lobster compost from Coast of Maine Co.) from 10% up to 20% of the mix.
The ones with compost added did much better for me than those left without it.
I also usually add Azomite , greensand , Pro-Gro 5-3-4 ( http://norganics.com/index-12/index-11/fertilizers/progro/  ) , ground limestone , etc..

I like it a lot too. I got tired of mixing up my own potting mix and running around all over for the materials. This works just as well for me. It probably costs a bit more though.

I've been using farfaed 2b for my rhizome s and cuttings. Seems to.work.well but I find it a bit heavy. I am.also experimenting with coir so I am not sure.which is better at this point. I did lose some strawberries in the potting mix 2b.

I have been using nothing but fafard #52 for years and I add Azomite, bunny poop, seaweed and kelp and some compost. I love this soil. I don't find that what I add changes the drainage or compacts the soil noticeably. 

Yes I have. I think I've messed around with at least a dozen combos especially at the beginning. I tried adding sand, lime, solid fertilizer, liquid, various blends, etc. Anything to try and find a mix that was affordable and so I didn't need to order the stuff by the pallet. I've had some issues with splitting but I think that is more the amount of water each tree is getting and not the soil as I still have a number of trees that are in soil that was pre= fafard.