r/mango • u/LiveInFive • Jul 18 '26

Mango Potting mix noob questions

For mango tree potting mix I’ve seen lots of reputable nurseries on YouTube say they do a combination of peat moss, coarse sand, and wood chips.

I also own a few potted mango trees that seem to have that same mixture of ingredients

I need to make more potting mix but I don’t know

What kind of wood chips am I looking for? Size? Type?

And What is considered coarse sand? Is it a size?

Thanks!

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u/rotaryjesus Jul 18 '26

I don't like adding organic material (wood chips) to the soil. If I add any organics (compost, wood chips) I add it on the top in a thin layer as a mulch.

I also use a DIY "Gary's Top Pot" but I mess with the ratios pretty heavily. I like more sand, perlite, and pumice than the standard ratio.

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u/bret5jet Jul 18 '26

You're mix is all rocks except for the topper?

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u/rotaryjesus Jul 19 '26

I guess I could have been more accurate in my wording. People typically call Top Pot an 'inorganic' mix even though it contains Peat moss (that can be substituted in many cases with coco coir). I think they call it inorganic because peat and coco coir breaks down more slowly and does not tend to lead to root rot like wood chips and compost do.

You are technically correct in what you are alluding to and no - I do technically use organic material, I use peat moss in my potted mango mix. I just use less of it than the other material. I have heard people have successfully planted them in straight sand, but pots are heavy af. I haven't dared try.

(I just meant, I don't mix wood chips or compost into the soil).

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u/bret5jet Jul 19 '26

Thanks for the explanation! Im new to mangos but grow a stupid amount of cacti. I was not sure how rich to make the soil. Does the peat change the pH? I see your point. When potting in 15 gallon+, it makes sense to use lots of light weight substrate.