I was reading some of the postings about cactus soil and I noticed that "Aquatic Soil" was mentioned on several of them.
I'm wondering if the aquatic soil that you use for your cactus is the same that I use for my aquarium plants.
I already have a bag of Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil...
Is this the one you are using in your soil mixes?, if not, could I use this one in my cactus soil mix? Thanks
That's the stuff plancelot! I endorse it fully. I make it about 1/3 of my mix, with 1/3 perlite, and 1/3 sandy loam from my yard. It allows great drainage and dries quickly.
Bill in SC
The aquatic plant soil is much different. It is much more uniform in size. Also, kitty litter was created to ABSORB water, hence more water retention if you used that. Aquatic plant soil is odorless and inert.. I wouldn't dare use kitty litter in my mix.. No telling what kind of chemicals are in it..
Bill in SC
Hi Iann and all, yes I use that stuff regularly (to bury the cats in). No, seriously, It is great stuff as Iann obviously knows. Used as it is, I re-root any Haworthias that have lost their roots, something they tend to do on a regular basis. I also mix it into the cactus compost as well. Any temperamental cacti I use a 50-50 mix of John Innes and the cat litter. It is very similar in its properties to a product that can be bought in the UK called Seramis. However Seramis as Iann probably knows is very expensive. If the cat litter is used 'neat' it is virtually impossible to overwater a plant.
PS: I apologise to all the cat lovers I have offended I don't hate cats, I just dislike them a lot. Give me a dog any day. Good thinking that, I've got the dog lovers back on side anyway.
Only joking,
John
Last edited by templegatejohn on Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bill, this stuff is virtually the same as the Aquatic Soil. Also very similar to other calcined clay products such as Oil Dri, they are all very slightly porous and keep their structure in water. Anybody wanting to try cat litter should make sure that it stays as hard granules in water and does not dissolve into slime or go sticky.
Iann: It might be virtually the same chemical composition (or it may not), but I have found that kitty litter, or oil dry are both kinda soft, and will crush into powder easily. The aquatic plant soil is fired in a kiln, and seems to retain it's hardness indefinately. I have unpotted plants that have been in it two years and it is just as stable and hard as the day I put it in there. I just can't see kitty litter/oil dry staying stable that long with repeated waterings. Also, many litty litters have a fragrance added to it that I certainly would not want to put my plants in. Though all the mentioned products look similar, I think they are very different, especially where plants are concerned.. This is just my humble opinion, having used all three products (APS, kitty litter, oil dry) quite frequently, for the uses they were intended for..
Bill in SC
Hi Bill, the cat litter is excellent stuff. It is a bit of an open secret in the UK, but those in the know have used it for some time with great results. One professional nursery grower in the UK uses nothing else.
I guess I will have to do some tests Ian/John. My main concern is for long term use, and durability, and I will have to compare the two over a period of time and then report back.. I want to compare them both dry for hardness. I will also soak some, and repeat the hardness test. Heck, I hope the kitty litter meets the need as it is much cheaper, but you won't convince this hardhead without me testing first!!
BB
Have you got Tescos in South Carolina now, Bill? Most clay cat litters are unfired clay, just like the sticky clods you find in the garden, at least in states that aren't made of sand
the one you are using in your soil mixes?, if not, could I use this one in my cactus soil mix? Thanks 
Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil looks like this:
I don't hate cats, I just dislike them a lot. Give me a dog any day. Good thinking that, I've got the dog lovers back on side anyway. 
