Custom Cactus Soil Mix

Discuss repotting, soil, lighting, fertilizing, watering, etc. in this category.
iann
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Post by iann »

Soil for seedlings is pretty much the same, but try and remove all large lumps of anything. A tiny seedling stuck up on a big piece or grit or trying to grow its single root through a solid inch of bark is going to be in trouble.

Avoid limestone, even for species which would grow on it in habitat. I've had terrible results starting seeds on limestone. You can always add it after the first year or two if you like for certain plants.
--ian
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hoven5th
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Post by hoven5th »

Thanks for the advice! :D
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Loph
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Post by Loph »

great info guys.

if i may add a mix we have tested in hot ET coutnries.

this mix has had potted/tray plants survive through meter a day rains, 3months of straight rain, and all teh other suually hot sunny humid weather. i suspect this would be ideal in places like malaysia/thailand and neighbouring countries, also micronesia, central/south america and anywwhere else it stays warm and really humid. but there is no nutrition, so you must fertilize.

we use
pumice 10-20%
"fine" washed sand 20%
coarse washed sand (or small grit)40%
forget the name but it is basically sand from lava rock 10-20%
and add aa little bit of slow release ferts....be it pellet poop or chemical balls....we use poop.


this mix ahs grown plants in teh above rainy situations. the following species we have grown fairly succesfully in it, outdoors.

Astrophytum capricorne/ornatum/asterias, Acanthocereus, cereus, trichocereus, tenocereus, neobauxima (spelling?), Mammilaria decipiens/prolifera/many unidentified sp., hylocereus, selenicereus, harrisia just., Coryphantha elephantidens, Echinocereus viereckii, Echinopsis arachnacantha/various unknown hybrids, epiphylum (they they dont need it), various gymnocalycium speceis/hybrids, lophocereus schotii, myrtillocactus geometrizans and ubnknown hybrid, any opuntia (lol), thelocactus setspinus and some other stuff. all did quite well with little to no rotted plants.

some pics of the plants tat are in those soils/conditions
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... elsept.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... rrisia.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... graft2.jpg
3
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... spinus.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... llaria.jpg



unfortunately in really wet places if its going t be outside, any organic materials an invitation for rot and trouble :(
Stephen Robert Irwin: 22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006. Rest In Peace.
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Diamondman
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Post by Diamondman »

impressive! =D>
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fanaticactus
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Post by fanaticactus »

peterb wrote:I think what I'll do is post my basic recipe to the cultivation section and get feedback and suggestions from other growers and then we could make it a sticky later.

peterb
Hi, peterb...just noticed this older post & was wondering if you're displaying your recipe for a purely mineral soil. Just a couple of weeks ago I asked about a 'mineral substrate' that got a few good answers. A recipe--straight from Arizona--would be welcomed as well. Thanks.
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
peterb
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Post by peterb »

Hi, I forgot to finish writing that one up. Good idea...I'll do it soon and send it to Daiv.

peterb
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fanaticactus
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Post by fanaticactus »

Thanks, peterb. I'll be looking for it. Monday I'll be in Vermont & will assess my cacti's need for repotting & the mineral soil will come in handy. BTW, do you know which genera prefer a more-or-less nonorganic soil? I remember reading Mamms, some Echinocereus and, I think, Gymnos. Are those right and are there more? As always, I appreciate any info you can supply.
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
iann
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Post by iann »

Mineral soils for all US cacti, many Mexican species, particularly from Baja, Chilean species, and possibly more. Often these are adapted to limestone, although not in Baja or Chile. There are a few of these that certainly grow on somewhat organic soils in habit, for instance Pediocactus simpsonii on pine litter, but still want a mineral soil in cultivation.

Brazilian species prefer a more acidic soil, often quite organic, and also many other South Americans including Gymnocalyciums. There are still some species found on limestone, but I don't have all the details on the South Americans. Some Andean species in particular may want a soil with more humus than I give them, although some certainly don't. Epiphytes and many other jungle types obviously like an organic soil.
--ian
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liisa8800
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Post by liisa8800 »

Can i replace the Osmocote fertilizer to Liquid
fertilizer(http://substral.itg.ee/index.php/18347/)i add this after every 3 weeks ? :roll:
I'm not Englis guy, so im sorry if i have mistakes in my text.
Liisa

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daiv
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Post by daiv »

Yes you sure can.
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
Sudhira
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Post by Sudhira »

Now I am worried as I just repotted many various plants I have, with a commercial cactus mix made by Uni-gro Cactus Mix...Should I repot everything again???
iann
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Post by iann »

I've never seen the Unigro soil, but from what I've heard it is one of the better ones. Nevertheless, straight out of the bag it is suitable for jungle cacti and non-succulent tropical plants. For cacti, you should add even more pumice.

You probably know this already since it is printed on the bag, but the ingredients are: pumice, forest products, peat moss, sand, earthworm castings, bone meal, blood meal, cottonseed meal, and alfalfa meal. So sawdust, bark, and peat :lol: I wouldn't use it, but many cacti will grow well in it once you split it 50:50 with more pumice.
--ian
Sudhira
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Post by Sudhira »

Thank you Ian,

Should I repot them ASAP? I just repotted 2 days ago...
daiv
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Post by daiv »

Yes, repot them now. Not much will have happened in two or three days with the roots, so repotting again will be no big deal.
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
Sudhira
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Post by Sudhira »

Ok, I am on it...thanks so very much!
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