Soil & manure

[Billboard]

Im going to be doing some repotting and potting a bunch of cuttings soon. Im going to use a organic soil. Ive read that figs like manure. Ive read on hear that someone used goat manure, chicken droppings etc. Can i use horse manure i get from the local stable? Is there a ratio of soil and manure i need to use? Or just can i mix it accordingly to what i think is good? And if i use a organic soil and manure mix would it be too much to add some seaweed organic fertilizer a low time release kind?

[FigMania]

Main problem I've found with horse manure is that horses don't chew/regurgitate like ruminating animals.. rabbit, deer, goat, etc. That leads to a lot of undigested seeds.. probably mostly oats. I'd make sure it is composted well. Same with most manures. Rabbit manure can be used as is. It is not considered a "hot" manure. Chicken is really hot. Not sure about goat. I think it would be like sheep and deer.. Used as is.

[Billboard]

So you can use deer manure? I know where there's a abundance of that stuff. Would that be better than horse? Because if thats better i can get that easier than horse.

[FigMania]

It's not hot.. doesn't contain seeds.. BAM !!!
Actually, go to Craigslist and put in a Wanted Ad for rabbit manure. Or.. search a local 4-H and ask to get in touch with a rabbit advisor.. That really is a great fertilizer. Usually a kid raising rabbits has an abundance every day or two. Bring a few Homer buckets and you'll have a lot.. more than you can use in a short time. Last year I got a bucket a week from a neighbor. It also makes great compost tea.

[TorontoJoe]

I can't speak to horse poop. Rabbit manure is reputed to be great figs...In my case I have no source. In the past, for all my gardening, I've used sheep manure with great success. This year I'll be trying out worm castings as I've heard it works wonders...and I have a cheap local source...

As for a potting, my in-house mix is 5-2-1-1 Pine Bark, Perlite, Peat Moss, Manure (Maybe worm castings instead of manure now) Also maybe a bit of garden lime depending on the bark...

[zone5figger]

Joe, I use worm castings at around 10% of my potting mix, works great.

[NativeSun]

Joe do you break the pine bark down or leave it as is? After last years' hurricane disaster Ive decided to keep most of my new trees in pots rather in the apparent "death zone" that is my backyard and I'd like to experiment with your formula...
And if I could ask a follow-up question...
If you are using manure (we have three rabbits and chickens so manure is NOT a problem, hah) are you supplementing it with additional fertilizer? Wondering if so what you use (I prefer organic) and how often.... worried about cooking my potted trees with overfertilization and/or encouraging overgrowth of leaves and a reduction in fruit...

[TorontoJoe]

Sorry about the "death zone". As long as friends and family are ok....Everything else will come back...
A small place local to me sells Pine Bark Fines which don't require much breaking up. I tend to like it a bit smaller, but for no particular reason. As for fertilizer, this is something that've I've started only more recently. Some say it's a waste of money but I use organic...I figure it can't be worse for me. Everyone has there own opinion on what works best but I lean towards anything with lower nitrogen content. Some time ago I found that using a fertilizer higher in nitrogen will produce great plant growth with lots of beautiful big leaves....but no fruit. Fertilizers made for tomatoes seem to be a very good choice for me...Jobe's makes good organic fertilizers but there are many out there.... For me the golden rule on fertilizer is to do it, "a little, a lot". I've found better results using very little more frequently.... and holding off closer to harvest time..... All of this IMHO. I'm no expert....Just a lot of trial and error.

[Billboard]

I just never heard of using anything else than horse. Guess i gotta get out in the country more. Well my next question was the rabbit. I see alot of that too. Guess sunday when i take the dog to the woods im bringing a bucket. I use a mix of deer and rabbit. Is there a ratio or just use a 75% 25% mix of soil to manure. Thats real good to know. Ill also try that CL suggestion you never know.

[arachyd]

For those who don't know, hot=hurts your plants. Rabbit poop is ready to use, fresh from the rabbit. A hutch takes very little space and rabbits really put out. Deer have a lengthy cud-chewing digestion process but they eat mostly browse (twigs, buds) and I've never seen anything growing from it or doing better because it's there. Horse poop is hot and is full of seeds and undigested bits so you have to fully compost it. It tends to 'sour' what it lands on. I worked at a stable years back and if any grass sprouted through it or oats from it the horses wouldn't even try a nibble. That said, once it's composted it becomes good fertilizer. My vote goes with rabbit poop.

[TorontoJoe]

I'm surprised you don't need to compost rabbit manure. Being poop - can 't it potential cause a contamination?

I know worm castings don't require composting but the digestive process is quite different in that case....

[AscPete]

Billboard ,

What "Organic Soil" are you planning on using for your potted fig trees?

Soils are not usually recommended or used in containers due to compaction, lack of aeration and poor drainage. Potting mixes that are "Soil-less" with a smaller proportion / percentage of larger particles for aeration are the norm for growing fig trees,
https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...ng-mix-recipes

Custom potting mixes when combined at similar proportions for Water Retention (smaller particles like Peat Moss or Coco Coir) and Aeration (larger particles like Aged Pine Bark or Perlite) as the commercial potting mixes will often have similar properties. For example combining good Compost or Leaf Mulch with Perlite or Gravel in a 80 / 20 or 85 /15 percent proportion is similar to a basic Annual or single season Potting mix, a greater portion of large particles 60 / 40 or even 70 / 30 creates a Perennial or long term Potting Mix . I've grown a few fig trees as a test with top dressings of homemade Compost and Rabbit Manure, but Its much easier and more repeatable using commercially available complete fertilizer products

Most manures from horses and ruminants have to be composted due to being "Nitrogen" Rich / Hot or having pathogens. Rabbit Manure is not high in Nitrogen and usually has no pathogens, they are not ruminants so the vegetable matter is expelled quickly with much more available "Plant Nutrients" which can be applied as soon as its collected. Manures and composts can be added to the top of the containers as a top dressing, but IMO there are too many variables that need to be considered, size of plants, size of containers, volume of required compost or manure, the compost ingredients, available nutrients, amount of leaching, etc. BTW Urine is an organic Nitrogen Rich / Hot plant nutrient source.The available plant nutrients in your Fertilizer Ingredients always have to be considered,
https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...-feed-schedule

Most Organic fertilizers or additives like Seaweed or Kelp can be incorporated into the mix or top dressed following their directions, they are not as concentrated as Mineral based fertilizers and will usually not cause damage or fertilizer burn at the recommended rates. If you create your own homemade Composts, Manures or Additives follow the directions of the commercially available products. Good Luck.

[Billboard]

Well thats alot of info. I really hadnt had a brand in mind. I was going to go look. Ill keep all that in mind for sure. I don't lime that peralite stuff so ill look for pine chips ir something else i was going to use a potting soil. So if i buy a bag of compost thats not mixed, its actually added to the top? Learning new things everyday. Recommendations?

[AscPete]

Almost any commercial Potting Mix can be used to grow fig trees.
To increase aeration (like Perlite) Pine Bark Mulch or Small Pine Bark nuggets could be added to the mix.

Composts and or Manures can be incorporated / added to the mix but their volume and particle size should be considered. Adding a large amount of fines / water retentive portion will decrease aeration and drainage, increasing possible stagnation and rot. The ratios between Water retention and Aeration need to be maintained to create best root environments in containers.

[TorontoJoe]

Thanks Pete. Very good info...

[Billboard]

Thanks Pete. Very good info...

Yes it is

[TorontoJoe]

This is a great place - Where else can a person have a frank discussion about dirt and poop?

[AscPete]

You're welcome.

Always keep in mind that adding a sizeable quantity of any one (1) material / ingredient, greater than ~ 5% can change or alter the physical characteristics of the Potting Mix.

[Dig]

Well thats alot of info. I really hadnt had a brand in mind. I was going to go look. Ill keep all that in mind for sure. I don't lime that peralite stuff so ill look for pine chips ir something else i was going to use a potting soil. So if i buy a bag of compost thats not mixed, its actually added to the top? Learning new things everyday. Recommendations?

Do NOT mix in pine chips to a soil mix. Unbroken down wood will actually steal nutrients from your soil. Perlite is great stuff and a bit safer then vermiculite.