How I Make My Hoya Potting Mix.wmv

[@kerry4741]

I was going to recommend a compost tumbler but I love how you rolled the trash can around the yard! FUN 🎉😀

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

A compost tumbler would be awesome for making large quantities of this mix; great suggestion and comment 👍!

[@lynnmoser6918]

I grew up working in a nursery from the age of 10. Back when kids could actually work...I can still hear in my head the rhythm of the shovel mixing soil in a wheelbarrow. I've done it the same way after 70 years. Such a soothing activity. Right now it's parked under a huge hoya waiting for a repotting. Had to bring all the frozen ingredients inside for the near 0 temps...

[@syedammarrizvi4516]

Love all of your video’s

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Thank you so much Syed!

[@missesraisin]

I use this for my begonias now too Doug, thanks I finally got my kerrii to flower it's so exciting!

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

I am so happy for you! I love success stories!

[@mikekufner1192]

This is great! Thanks for sharing this and all of your experience in other videos. Its nice to see what someone uses that grows a ton of hoya. You obviously know what your doing!

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

I do my best, but I still make so many mistakes!

[@mikekufner1192]

@@DougChamberlainVTHoyas No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes! If you were perfectly unflawed you wouldn't be human!

[@tammykriskie2233]

Looks like great potting mix for Hoyas .. I'm sure they are very Happy and growing Great ! Thanks for sharing ...

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

You're welcome!

[@nancysawyer4146]

Great Hoya mix. I learned about the lime, I never thought about it even though out dirt/clay here in GA. needs to be limed if you need to bring acidity down. I just try to grow things in the ground that likes a more acid base. I use a little calcium (oyster shell) in my mix along with worm castings, but still cannot grow Hoyas the size of yours yet. I love your videos, you are very nice to share your findings.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

That was a good mix, but I don't put all of those ingredients in any longer. I just use peat-based potting soil, fine orchid bark, perlite, and a little charcoal if I have it.

[@margiemcpeak9304]

I'm curious! Have you changed this in any way over the last +6 years? Very interesting video. Since I'm disabled, I'm not sure that I'm able to mix all of that. Good for you, though. Your hoyas obviously love it! 💜

[@koltonmurphy5986]

Margie McPeak I am using my grandsons iPad to make this comment so it’s really Kathleen Murphy that’s making the comment. I have a KZbin channel on house plants Hoya orchids etc. if you’re interested.I don’t think you have to make a garbage can full of this mix it seems as if it’s 50% of the perlite but it really looks like it’s pumice Or it could be used instead of The number for that is using of perlite. And then if you can get a hold of the tree fern stuff that’s about 25% an orchid bark the other 25%. But that adds up to 100% so how do you figure out how much potting soil I think he adds enough potting soil to hold the mixed together so that’s probably another 25% so just get a bowl or whatever and dump two bowls of the perlite or the palmers a bowl of age of the other three ingredients the tree fern bar the orchid bar and soil. Then throw in some charcoal and organic lime that is pelleted. Almost any mixThat is light and airy will work for hoyas

[@АннаПопова-ф6ы]

Hello there! Thank you for this useful information! I enjoy watching your videos.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Thank you!

[@treasuresofplantz9203]

Yes I need to get charcoal! Sweet. You and a hand full on KZbin only reply to my question so am so happy that you take your time to reply super happy. George

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

You're welcome George! I don't have so many comments or questions that I can't reply to them. If I see the question, I feel it would be rude not to reply.

[@maureengordon309]

I love this mix. Wish I could find these things in the store. Thanks for sharing.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Thank you for taking the time to post a reply! Doug

[@daynamichelle4657]

Love your mixing technique! 🙃

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Yeah, that did not really work out all that well!

[@daynamichelle4657]

Maybe a big hill to roll it down would have worked better and been fun :)

[@shirleywilhelm1495]

I like the idea of a tumbler, like composting.!

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

A compost tumbler would work fantastic for mixing soil. If I had a little bit bigger operation, I would invest in one.

[@elizabethguerrero2477]

Hola Doug como extraño tus nuevos videos😀 estoy repasando los q no he visto👍 y me encantó cono preparas la tierra lo haré gracias Dios te bendiga 🙏🏽🌿🙏🏽👍

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Dios te bendiga Elizabeth🙏🏽🌿🙏🏽👍!

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Mima Laptes-Frangu Mima, I had a bad experience using Coir years ago, because it was not properly washed and had too much salt left in it. I love the consistency of coir though and if you can find good stuff that has been rinsed many times I would think it would be superior to peat. I have started experimenting with shredded Coconut husk and so far I am loving it.

[@OvhanDevos]

+Doug Chamberlain If I'm not mistaken, isn't that what Coir is? Shreaded coconut husk?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

+Sean Anderson Coir is more of a pulverized coconut husk being of very fine consistency similar to peat. The shredded husk that I was referring to is closer to small bark chunks.

[@OvhanDevos]

Ohhh I see, Thanks a bunch for the info! I'm guessing the shredded husk would drain better then!

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

+Sean Anderson Yes, it does drain much better, but make sure that it is well rinsed because of possible salts in the husk.

[@saunghoya9648]

How small is the husk?

[@ScaryFear]

If you have time could you make an updated video to this since you say you've changed your mix? I'd love to know a good mix to make also something easily accessible that I can buy the ingredients at lowes or home depot. Thanks.

[@amyrchan]

what a work out!! :D Going to go order some of those ingredients!!

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

You really don't need all of those ingredients. If you want to keep it simple, 50% peat-based potting soil, and 50% perlite (biggest you can find).

[@lucyeloisa7165]

Thank you for making this video! It helps a lot

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

You're welcome Lucy.

[@kristykohn1]

Love it thank you for sharing. Have you considered making small bags of this available?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Hi Kristy, I just can't see that being worth it with the high cost of shipping and all, but thank you for the suggestion!

[@mimalaptes-frangu8595]

By any chance, do you have experience using coir (coconut fiber)? I am using that for a lot of plants that need soilless potting mix, starting seeds, etc. it's sterile, holds moisture but not too much. Some growers use it instead of the peat moss. Could you please give me your input regarding coir for hoyas? TIA.

[@christmassnow3465]

Some of the ingredients may be unavailable in certain countries for many reasons. I have never seen fern tree chips, and Perlite usually comes as a finer grain than what you showed in the video. I mainly started growing aroids. I have managed to find a good supplier of aroid potting mix that seems to work well for my Hoyas, which I started growing soon after. Regular aroid mix contains equal parts of coconut coir, perlite and pine bark. The local supplier has replaced most of the bark with coconut chips (not coconut fibers). The end result was a coarse and good draining mix. Surprisingly it holds enough water so you don't have to water too often. The combination of water retention for slow release, and good aeration has made it ideal for aroids, and Hoyas. The mix even performed better than the cactus potting mix and it worked well for my Haworthias and Aloes. As my climate is Mediterranean, I get most of the rain in winter. This is the time of the year when temperatures are too low and soil becomes too wet, and the potting mix offers some solution to root rot in winter.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

I am happy that you found a potting mix that works well for you. I no longer use that potting mix shown in the video. Now I seem to make out best with coconut husk chips with a little added perlite. Conditions changed over time so what worked well for me at one time no longer does.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Dopóki Zalewanie gleba jest jasny i przestronny, Tree Fern Fiber nie jest konieczne. To było coś nowego, że próbowałem, i chociaż to działa dobrze, prawdopodobnie nie kupi go ponownie. Wystarczy dodać więcej kory i perlitu do mieszanki, i będzie działać tak samo dobrze :) Doug

[@kathyconway5730]

I just recently rescued an over watered Carnosa Variegata & had to let it air dry all week, I hope she survives but she looks good & I really need this you should package it, I will have to make some or as close to it with what I can find & stay within my budget, I currently use orchid bark (medium), perlite or pumice, and add a little potting soil, I'll have to get some charcoal & fern fiber, could I add some to my Adenium & Crown of Thorns? I I have a hard time getting my mix for succulents & cacti just right it seems to stay moist too long, I'm in Ga. Hot & Humid. TY I still like to refer back to this video

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

This mix is a little too elaborate. I don't even make it that way any more. You don't need tree fern fiber. The most important thing is the things your already using. I've been experimenting with some bonsai mixes recently with very good results. Some of these could work out great with your succulents: www.bonsaijack.com/category/premixed-bonsai-soil/succulent-soil/

[@sherrystone2396]

Do u use coco chips for your imperailis as well now or do u still do the pro mix? I bought the pro mix u recomended when i commented on your but i didnt mix it with anything. i miss understood and put them in straight pro mix. Lol do i need to repot them?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

As long as your plant is doing well and looks healthy, there is no need to repot them. H. imperialis is not the most particular Hoya when it comes to its substrate. I currently have two imperialis; one is potted in pure coconut husk chips and another one that is in a mix similar to the one in the video. Both are doing well.

[@kingfazzaofficial]

Thanks for tutorial & tips

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

You are welcome, but what works for me here will probably not work for you in Indonesia.

[@kingfazzaofficial]

but at least , the conclusion of several tips in your video was very helpful to me. Spirit

[@elsaortiz7589]

Awesome Doug.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Thank you Elsa!

[@amyl.shultz1121]

Can you tell us where you get these items? I use slightly crushed lava rock, perlite, tree bark but no lime. I only have 3 but want to make sure they grow healthy and hope to add more. Thanks Doug!

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

This mix was overly complicated, and now my regular mix is made up of just a few ingredients. 50% peat based potting mix (I use Promix BX) 25% large perlite or sponge rock and 25% fine orchid bark. These can be found at www.repotme.com/ For larger quantities I use this place: www.tropicalplantproducts.com/default.aspx This is a great place, but they don't take credit cards. You can also throw in some horticultural charcoal for good measure.

[@SCORPIONS-ALT]

Thank you so much for the website. I am going to order from them; however I don't have a grand backyard like you do so I would like to create like a 8 qt bag. I know you said you don't measure anything but if I just put equal parts then I should be ok? Also, in reference to cutting my one vine, I do have enough, when I repot them should I put them in this mixture ? Or put them in water first then repot it ?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Equal parts should be fine. There really is nothing exact about it. As long as the mix is chunky you will be fine. I have never rooted a Hoya in water although there are a few people who like that method. Most people myself included will root directly in the premoistened mix. It will take some time, but eventually you should have a nice full plant.

[@zenviolet]

A wide storage bin may be helpful for mixing potting mix.

[@Tamara-ct3ip]

Hi Doug. I am thinking about trying coconut husk chips and was wondering what brand you use and whether it is necessary to buffer? Thank you so much.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Hi Tamara! I am having very good luck at present using either coconut husk chips alone or sometimes mixed with a little perlite. I do not buffer. Here is the brand that I use: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049XH0FM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This block will make you a lot of substrate. I am leery of some coir for fear of hidden salts, but I have had no such problems with this brand.

[@Tamara-ct3ip]

@@DougChamberlainVTHoyas Thank you Doug. I am so appreciative for your knowledge, passion and willingness to share your journey of all things Hoya. Your site is my go to and I really appreciate all of the time and effort you have dedicated to enable all of us to take this journey with you🙂

[@mariapankratz1247]

Thank you for this info. It’s the info I’ve been looking for. Do you sell Hoyas too? If so, where can I purchase them?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Right now I only sell Hoyas in the summer months on eBay under the name erbtarzan24

[@funnymonkey425]

does this mix work for plants like orchids and just other plants in general or is this mix just good for hoyas? I am very new to planting/gardening. still trying to learn and absorb info before i get more into it.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

It has been quite awhile since I made this video, and if it were to do over again I would make the mix even more course by adding lots more medium to large orchid bark chunks and a lot less peat based potting soil. You are smart to not jump in to fast and go slowly. Orchids and Hoyas are not that far apart as far as potting mixes are concerned, but Hoya mixes do need to hold a little bit more moisture than Orchid mixes.

[@bernadettelopez7225]

Hello i have a question, i noticed that my hoya hellwigiana’s roots are completely entangled to the coconut husks/chips. If I am going to transfer this to my hoya mix (orchid bark, pumice, charcoal, perlite, cactus soil, Bonsai Jack Gritty mix) , do i need to remove the husks? or it is safe to just put it as is? sorry i have never used husks before.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Hi Bernadette, I guess we are going to learn together as I have just rooted a large number of Hoyas in coconut husk chips myself. I am tempted to transplant directly into more coconut chips as opposed to using a chunky potting mix. I have suffered so much root rot lately that I am interested in trying different Harding media. All of the Thai vendors use coconut chips with a great deal of success so I am going to give it a go. As for you, I don’t see why you can’t transplant the roots in twined in the Coco chips into your chunky mix. It should work fine.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Edyta, Użyłem Google Translate do wyjaśnienia, co Tree Fern Fiber jest w języku polskim. Mam nadzieję, że to pomaga. Średnich Drzewo paproci włókna jest popularnym medium Zalewanie orchidea. Jest odporny na gnicie i pomaga napowietrzania mieszanki. Drzewo paproci trzyma się dobrze w wilgotnych, wilgotnych warunkach. Średnie drzewo paproci, który przypomina laski, jest używany do utrzymywania łączy otwarty i przestronny. I hope this explains Tree Fern Fiber. Regards, Doug

[@jhernandez335xi]

Might need a cement mixer to mix your Hoya mix! :)

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

That would definitely work better than my rolling trash barrel😄

[@sandytobias5996]

Hi Doug, is peat based potting mix and coco peat the same? Why did you stop using fern fiber?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Hi Sandy, Coco peat is not the same as peat moss. Coco peat is finely ground coconut husk. Some people have good luck with coco peat, but you have to get the right variety; there is always the possibility that it contains unrinsed salt from the husk. I think that it has gotten better in recent years, but in the old days it wrecked havoc on people's Hoyas. Fern fiber is just annoying in the mix; it get under you fingernails when you try to test your soil for wetness; it was just always getting me mad.

[@sonatablue9652]

Any advice on pest control for a mix?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Not really; The only pest that I am currently plagued with are fungus gnats. Knock on wood I've never had root mealies, and if I did I guess I would have to use a systemic insecticide.

[@sonatablue9652]

@@DougChamberlainVTHoyas Ok,thanks for the info. Stupid fungus gnats.......

[@jessicadigdigan9227]

Hello Doug! Do you still use tropical plant products for large quantities? I'm looking where I can find small orchid bark in larger quantities

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Hi Jessica, Tropical Plant Products is a great company, and I still use them every couple of years. Be aware of two things; your shipping will cost way more than your product, and they don't take credit cards. You have to mail them a check.

[@jessicadigdigan9227]

@@DougChamberlainVTHoyas do you know if they do local pickup? I live in Tampa so I could always run by there

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

@@jessicadigdigan9227 That is a great question. You would need to email them to find out, but that could save you a bundle!

[@edytakubiczek7036]

Thank you very much Doug. Unfortunately, Tree Fern Fiber is not available in Poland :-(.

[@1101naomi]

Do you still use this same mix or have you updated?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

I grew some insanely great Hoyas with that mix, but it never worked as well for me after I left that house and moved to different conditions. I tell people now use what ever you are comfortable with. I am all over the board now with what I use. I have had some great success with coconut husk chips used alone, and tree fern substrate used alone. I am constantly experimenting and never quite satisfied with whatever I am using. I no longer use leca and or semi-hydro as I end up with rotted roots inside a year.

[@SCORPIONS-ALT]

Thank you for the info! I will look it up. I have a Hindu rope hoya and spider mites got a hold of it so o have one strand left ;( ; do you think I should repot it and remove the remainings ? I wish I could send you a picture of it... This is my first hoya so it's a learning curve for me.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

If I only had one string left and it was long enough I would cut it up into 4-6 inch pieces and root them to have a full pot. I have had serious spider mite problems in the past and I cured it using two or three sprays of a product called Azamax - it is expensive, but a little goes a long way; it is natural and it works!

[@bluheaven-adw521]

Do you think this mix would work for Peperomia?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

I have never grown Peperomia, but if it likes a loose mix that drains water fairly quickly, it probably would do well in it.

[@ditmagiknietvergeten]

Great mix but i live in the Netherlands amd those materials i can not get here i do have perlite and.i did buy cocopeat since regular peat is not for sale here. And have bark but i just got my first hoya...a hoya cornosa compactum tricolour. A very pretty variagated curly leaves hoya with pink flowers ( i hope someday ) its in a very wierd potting mix it looks like bark chunks or soil chunks but its brown weird sponge... mixed with dirt and stuff.. I really wnat to repot it but its inky 15 cm long it is rooted its not wobbly....but what is my best option to use ? Ps I have chunky charcoal medium kiwi bark and perlite leca and seramis chunky and small. And cocohusk chunks... that's what i can work with could you recommend a mix ? Kind regards rose 🌹

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Hi Rose, if the plant looks healthy, I would leave it alone and grow it out in the mix that it is in. If you really want to re-pot, I think that any finer orchid type mix stirred up with a little of your cocopeat would do the trick nicely. Doug

[@ditmagiknietvergeten]

Doug Chamberlain thank you for the incuragement. Kind regards rose 🌹

[@liisrebane8612]

I live in Estonia. Fern fibers are not available here. I live in a pine forest and pine thorn resemble very similar material. The compost takes their decomposition into eternity. Can they also fit Hoya soils?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

I have never heard of pine thugs and cannot find it by googling. Do you mean pine needles by any chance? If so they would not work as they would make the mix too acidic over time. I no longer use fern fibers as I find that they are not necessary. Just use good peat-based potting soil with 25% large perlite and 25% fine orchid bark. You could ever get away with just the soil and 50% large perlite or sponge rock.

[@liisrebane8612]

That's exactly what i meant. Thank you!

[@bernadettelopez7225]

I just bought a Hoya Parasitica, a starter plant, my last buy for 2020 but when I received it from the mail and checked the root system, there is a cloth/mesh wrapped around the root ball and I actually dont see numerous roots, im not sure if I should remove the mesh right away. Please help😥

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Hi Bernadette, I would try to remove the cloth mesh as it will only cause more problems later on. I would then thoroughly inspect the roots and repot in a pot that is just large enough to accommodate whatever roots you do have. Water it in, and keep it warm and humid, and it should come around.

[@bernadettelopez7225]

@@DougChamberlainVTHoyas According to the seller, it is a Rockwool Grow Cubes. I feel that it is suffocating the roots and stem. So should I remove it? Ive never heard of this.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

@@bernadettelopez7225 Rock wool grow cubes are used by a lot of hydro growers. I have never used it myself. Maybe just leave it alone and the roots will grow through it and there won't be a problem. Good luck!

[@bernadettelopez7225]

@@DougChamberlainVTHoyas Thank you so much Doug. I actually removed it because I thought it was a mesh. No roots were damaged. I hope she will be okay.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

@@bernadettelopez7225 I have faith that it will be as Hoya parsitica is not too fussy.

[@gmbh1336]

good for outdoor

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Much easier that way!

[@amyl.shultz1121]

Oh also the charcoal. I didn’t add that.

[@edytakubiczek7036]

Hi Doug. What is this : 1:23 minute in your film ? Bet hoya regards Edyta

[@Alypinkflower]

Is tree fern fiber...which he no longer use

[@stevenm6453]

Do you sell large ziplock bags of this mix on ebay?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

No I'm sorry I don't. I now make a much less elaborate mix that does not use fern fiber. A good mix can be made of of 60% peat-based potting soil, 20% large perlite, and 20% fine orchid bark. Throw a little charcoal in for good measure.

[@JOY-kl2sp]

Where can I get the charcoal? Thanks.

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

This is what I use now: www.amazon.com/Wakefield-Biochar-Soil-Conditioner-Certified/dp/B077SWSPC4/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1532458168&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=biochar+soil+amendment&psc=1

[@SCORPIONS-ALT]

Very informative, where do you buy all these ingredients from?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

I'm glad you liked the video Jenifer. Most of these ingredients were sourced from a place called Tropical Plant Products in Orlando, FL. They are strange in that they don't take credit cards; you must send them a check. Expect to pay far more for the shipping than for the actual product. If you want just small amounts to play around with then try Repotme (Just Google it), but you will pay quite a bit more for it. Hope this helps. Doug

[@usernew1764]

thank you for giving us the mix , but please =can you write it in description

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Good suggestion! I will work on it over the next couple of days.

[@robertjackson8144]

Would you mind sharing your sources for tree fern bark?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

This is the link to where I got mine, but I don't really use tree fern bark any more: www.tropicalplantproducts.com/category/77-treefern-fiber.aspx I don't find that it really helps all that much. Just add a little more large perlite, and fine orchid bark and dispense with the tree fern fiber.

[@robertjackson8144]

Thank you! I truly appreciate your response! I was actually researching for a friend who needs help acidifying her mix... she lives in SD....so has to keep her Hoya in pots and bring inside for winter... any suggestions? I’ve heard coffee grounds...?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

I've never used coffee grounds myself, but I guess it might be worth a shot. What makes your friend think she needs to acidify her mix? If her tap water is too alkaline she can buy a bottle of pH down very inexpensively and add a couple of drops to a gallon of water to drop it. She should get a cheap pH pen to check her pH. I did all of that and never achieved better results. I've gone back to plain old tap water and I think my results have actually improved.

[@robertjackson8144]

Doug Chamberlain , thanks so much for taking time to reply! She thinks it’s her mix...she tested the water, it’s 7.5ph...but her mix is 3.5 to 4.5...I’ve only used the coffee grounds with in ground plants, and never measured the results...

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

If her mix is 3.5 to 4.5 then it is extremely acid and she needs to raise the pH. The best answer for that problem is to add ground oyster shell, which I have used with great success! It is available on Amazon.

[@madsmerritt1083]

where do you get your materials?

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

Most of those materials came from a place called Tropical Plant Products from Florida. It is a strange place; they don't take credit cards and you have to send them a check and wait for it to clear before they send out the material. The shipping usually costs far more than the actual stuff you order, but it still works out to be the best price that you can get anywhere.

[@cleusagabriel4476]

Por favor YouTub ! Colocam vídeos desse professor em planta de cera em português.

[@mikleon]

Se você quiser posso te ajudar com as tradução gleusa

[@patricialisowski1080]

😁😁😁😍😁😁

[@2coryman]

WHY NOT JUST USE PIT MOSS AND EGG SHELL POWDER WRAPPED AROUND THE VINES

[@DougChamberlainVTHoyas]

That would be and interesting combination, one that I've never tried. In theory it could work pretty well.