Custom Cactus Soil Mix
Custom Cactus Soil Mix
Here is an article I put together on creating a cactus mix:
http://www.cactiguide.com/article/?article=article8.php
Since this comes up so often, I'll make this post sticky.
http://www.cactiguide.com/article/?article=article8.php
Since this comes up so often, I'll make this post sticky.
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
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- Posts: 2974
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:17 am
- Location: SF Bay Area (Zone 9b)
Ian, good question. I suppose that the potting soil can indeed contain any or all of the above ingredients. In my selection of organic soils I am not that particular - except that I find some "soils" to be more like mulch than decomposed organic matter, sand, silt and such. Those with lots of wood chips seem to have more fungus from my experience too.iann wrote:I'm curious what the base potting soil is if it isn't peat, it isn't wood chips, and it presumably isn't coir?
Does the article seem too ambiguous on this point?
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
Organic (non-loam) potting soils can also contain actual composted organic matter rather than peat, wood, or coir. But I've found this to be rare other than composted sewage sludge and you'd probably know if you had that. Some "peat-free" composts are now available in the UK made from various composted materials, but I don't think this fad has really caught on in the US.
90% of bagged potting soils are a blend of various kinds of peat and bark, with some combination of sand, perlite, fertiliser, and wetting agents. They are a fairly seamless slightly fluffy brown mass and it can take some effort to see what it is really made from. The label sometimes gives a clue
90% of bagged potting soils are a blend of various kinds of peat and bark, with some combination of sand, perlite, fertiliser, and wetting agents. They are a fairly seamless slightly fluffy brown mass and it can take some effort to see what it is really made from. The label sometimes gives a clue
--ian
That would "rock"!peterb wrote:I'd be happy to write a short alternative article or addendum on how to make a mineral, zero organics mix.
If it is easier, you can put together a word document with whatever bold/italics/font color etc.. formatting you want and then I can duplicate that on the site with the appropriate HTML to make it look the way you want.
Daiv
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
Daiv, help please and all others as well.......
I have more cacti to plant. As I have already killed some of my succulents, I don't want to lose more. The cacti I have seem to be happy in the soil mix I have them in which is a rich cactus soil mix and a not rich soil mix. Since joining this forum, I have been adding perlite. Since reading more posts, the ones I have recently potted have even more perlite added. I didn't add as much for the first batch. I don't want to repot the ones with less because they seem happy. Or maybe I should. Had I kept a record, I would know which have more and which have less. I read your soil mix and you mention Coir.
There are two different ones at the store across the street from me.
Here are the descriptions: Organic soil alternative
Made from 100% coconut coir
100% organic and biodegradable
Just add water - block expands to 0.5 cu. ft.
Saves water - absorbs 50% more than regular soil
Excellent for all indoor & outdoor containers
The other: Water saving coir substitute for peat moss; retains moisture, aerates and conditions soil
100% organic, environmentally friendly, renewable resource
Lasts longer than wood
Retains natural colour longer
Suppresses weeds
Expands in size equal to 2 cu. ft. bag when hydrated
One block covers 12 sq. ft.
Exclusive to Canadian Tire
Should I buy one of these and add it to my soup pot of soil?
I have 10 cacti to pot this weekend and if I should add a bunch of Coir, I will.
I figure the best I can do it a little of the rich soil, way more of the less rich, lots of perlite and some coir.
Does this sound OK?
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Di
There are two different ones at the store across the street from me.
Here are the descriptions: Organic soil alternative
Made from 100% coconut coir
100% organic and biodegradable
Just add water - block expands to 0.5 cu. ft.
Saves water - absorbs 50% more than regular soil
Excellent for all indoor & outdoor containers
The other: Water saving coir substitute for peat moss; retains moisture, aerates and conditions soil
100% organic, environmentally friendly, renewable resource
Lasts longer than wood
Retains natural colour longer
Suppresses weeds
Expands in size equal to 2 cu. ft. bag when hydrated
One block covers 12 sq. ft.
Exclusive to Canadian Tire
Should I buy one of these and add it to my soup pot of soil?
I have 10 cacti to pot this weekend and if I should add a bunch of Coir, I will.
I figure the best I can do it a little of the rich soil, way more of the less rich, lots of perlite and some coir.
Does this sound OK?
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Di
Yes, I would add the coir. I have had good results with it.
Remember my mix recipe in that article is a general idea, not a one size fits all forumula. You might go for a little higher percentage of pearlite in your mix and less potting soil.
Ultimately, you'll have to experiment and decide what works best in your envirment and with your watering habits.
Remember my mix recipe in that article is a general idea, not a one size fits all forumula. You might go for a little higher percentage of pearlite in your mix and less potting soil.
Ultimately, you'll have to experiment and decide what works best in your envirment and with your watering habits.
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti