Uses of Compost in Potting Mixes

Abstract

<jats:p>The ornamental horticulture industry uses a variety of materials as ingredients in growing substrates for many ornamental plants. There are many attributes that make growing substrates effective, including good aeration and drainage, availability at an acceptable price, and chemical attributes conducive for plant growth. In recent years there has been a trend in which more traditional organic components, such as Canadian sphagnum peat, have been partially replaced by an increasing array of waste-product compost. Plant response to increasing quantities of compost in the potting mix, and to different types of compost are variable. This paper reviews some important issues in the utilization of urban waste compost products.</jats:p>

Leaching composted lignocellulosic wastes to prepare container media: Feasibility and environmental concerns

“…On the other hand, and to reduce the consumption of Sphagnum peat, the use of composts in the preparation of soilless growing media has become widespread in certain areas of commercial horticulture, especially in containerized ornamental and nursery crop production systems (Abad et al, 2001;Fitzpatrick, 2001;Moore, 2005;Morel et al, 2000). Some composts show physical and chemical characteristics similar to peat, making them suitable as peat substitutes.…”

“…Some composts show physical and chemical characteristics similar to peat, making them suitable as peat substitutes. However, most composts cannot be used directly as container media or container media constituents because they contain high salt or nutrient levels (Abad et al, 2001;Fitzpatrick, 2001;Moore, 2005) that lead to substrates with electrical conductivity values above the desirable range (<3.5 or <0.35 dS m À1 in saturated media or 1:5 compost:water volume extracts, respectively ;Bunt, 1988;McLachlan et al, 2004). A high salt concentration constitutes a critical and significant limiting factor, particularly in nursery production, since the early growth stages of the plant are very sensitive to growing media salinity Marschner, 1995).…”

Container Color and Compost Substrate Affect Root Zone Temperature and Growth of “Green Giant” Arborvitae

“…Composts can be produced from a variety of feedstocks including municipal green wastes, animal manure, and biosolids [7,8]. As a result, composts are more widely produced, regionally available, and less expensive compared to peatmoss [9,10]. Compost-amended substrates have been evaluated for production of a number of horticultural crops, but plant response can be positive or negative based on the type and amount of compost used [10].…”

“…As a result, composts are more widely produced, regionally available, and less expensive compared to peatmoss [9,10]. Compost-amended substrates have been evaluated for production of a number of horticultural crops, but plant response can be positive or negative based on the type and amount of compost used [10]. Composts typically have a high proportion of fine particles that contribute to greater water retention, yet high compost content can lead to reduced plant growth due to low aeration and poor drainage.…”

Acidifying Composts from Vegetable Crop Wastes To Prepare Growing Media for Containerized Crops

“…In order to reduce the consumption of Sphagnum peat, the use of composts in the formulation of growing media (substrates) has become widespread in commercial horticulture, especially in containerized ornamental and nursery crop production systems (Fitzpatrick et al 1998;Abad et al 2001;Fitzpatrick 2001;Moore 2005). There are composts which show physical and chemical properties similar to peat, making them suitable as peat substitutes.…”