Custom Cactus Soil Mix

Discuss repotting, soil, lighting, fertilizing, watering, etc. in this category.
daiv
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Custom Cactus Soil Mix

Post by daiv »

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.
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
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John C
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Post by John C »

Looks good Daiv! 8)
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Post by Saguaro123 »

Nice Daiv. 8) Very helpful.
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Post by ihc6480 »

Looks like a great write up Daiv.
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TimN
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Post by TimN »

Very nice work, Daiv! Well written and illustrated.
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.

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Post by iann »

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?
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Post by daiv »

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?
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.

Does the article seem too ambiguous on this point?
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti
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Post by iann »

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 :)
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Post by daiv »

I'll go ahead and re-write that to make it a little more clear.
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Post by peterb »

I'd be happy to write a short alternative article or addendum on how to make a mineral, zero organics mix.

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daiv
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Post by daiv »

peterb wrote:I'd be happy to write a short alternative article or addendum on how to make a mineral, zero organics mix.
That would "rock"! 8)

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
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Post by peterb »

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.

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Di
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Daiv, help please and all others as well.......

Post by Di »

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
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Post by daiv »

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.
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Post by hoven5th »

If i'm going to grow from seed, I would still use a recipe like the one daiv wrote up, correct? Do seedlings get any different treatment in terms of soil?
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