How to prepare the soil for succulents
About succulent plant knowledge, how to prepare the soil for succulents, let's understand together next.
How to prepare the soil for succulents, the soil mixing ratio for succulents, and the soil mixing methods are all basic lessons that flower enthusiasts are very concerned about. Every experienced flower enthusiast has their own set of soil mixing methods, and the formulas are not all the same. Therefore, flower enthusiasts can choose the most suitable one based on their actual situation. This article is the soil mixing experience of Ermu, an experienced flower enthusiast, which is very helpful for新手 flower enthusiasts.
It has been nearly two years since the last article about soil mixing for succulents. In these two years, many experiments and observations have been done on the soil, and the current soil mixing method has been concluded. The principle is simple, the raw materials are easy to find, easy to mix yourself, and suitable for most succulents.
Soil mixing method: soft soil (peat soil 70% + coconut bran 30%): coarse sand = 1:1 (volume ratio)
It can also be simplified to: peat soil: coarse sand 1:1 (volume ratio)
Why use this soil mixing method? Let's start breaking it down next.
The perlite in the picture can be ignored, as it was bought in excess before and it would be a pity to throw it away. Why not use perlite?
Perlite's function is to maintain the looseness and breathability of the soil, which is what we often call the "grain" effect. Coarse sand itself has grains, so it can replace perlite. Moreover, our "Fertilizer King" (doctor) said that the dust produced by perlite during stirring (everyone knows this when mixing soil) is impossible to expel after being inhaled into the lungs, which is extremely harmful to the human body. Therefore, when mixing a large amount of soil, try to use less perlite.
What is coarse sand?
When decorating your home, you will buy a lot of cement and sand, right? The sand used for applying cement and laying tiles is sifted fine sand, and coarse sand is the leftover after sifting fine sand, which is usually thrown away by sandfields, but some sell coarse sand directly. Just ask the person selling the sand! Make sure to use river sand, not sea sand! In some parts of the country, there is a lot of coarse sand near rivers, and even weathered rocks on the mountain can be used directly as coarse sand. However, since these materials are collected from nature, they are inevitably full of microorganisms and germs, so it is best to add some carbendazim when mixing the soil, with a random ratio. (Note that carbendazim is only for preventive purposes; it is ineffective for plants that are already sick and cannot kill insects.)
Why use a mixture of coconut bran and peat soil, can't we just use peat soil?
As everyone knows, peat soil is not environmentally friendly (collected from wetlands), and its usage is being reduced globally. After several years of use, it has been found that its effect is indeed much better than that of coconut bran. If only coconut bran is used, the later growth of succulents will be very limited. The roots are fragile, prone to僵苗 (stunted growth), and easily rot in the summer. Using peat soil is much better. The effect of mixing the two is even better than using peat soil alone, but the coconut bran ratio should not be too high, so it has become the current 30% coconut bran + 70% peat soil mixture.
Coconut bran, peat soil, perlite mixture + sieved coarse sand = mixed effect
I think the soil for succulents is very crucial. Many flower enthusiasts have to repair the roots of their succulents when they get sick, or they need to strengthen the roots if they are inherently fragile. If the soil has a problem at this time, the roots cannot grow, and the succulents at home will be tragic. Therefore, one must be serious about the soil! Just like choosing food for one's own child!
What is the difference between planting directly with soft soil (coconut bran + peat soil) and planting with soil mixed with coarse sand?
Those who often buy succulents (with pots and soil) at flower markets or greenhouses will find that many soils are just a mixture of peat soil and perlite (very light). After taking them home and caring for them for a while, the plants will show signs of rot or unhealthy lack of water, especially in the summer, which is very difficult to care for. Although the roots grow quickly in such soil, they are very fragile and small, making the plants look flabby. The roots grown in soil mixed with coarse sand are very strong, especially when the sand ratio is increased, you can see the fat and strong roots, and the plants also become stronger.
This point was discovered by observing plants in the wild. In nature, there is not much fertile peat soil, and most succulents grow in sandy soil. Some even grow on muddy soil but are very strong, and there is no trace of scale insects. So in our homes, although we cannot replicate the natural environment, placing them on window sills, balconies, or terraces with good ventilation, using relatively poor soil can also simulate the natural environment. Succulents do not need too much fertilizer!
What about root growth?
The more coarse sand added, the slower the root growth, which is why the soil mixing method of soft soil (peat soil + coconut bran) + coarse sand 1:1 is used. Peat soil has a magical effect on root growth.
That's all about how to prepare the soil for succulents. I hope this little tip can be helpful to you in life!