How to prepare the planting mix for succulents
Let's share some explanations about succulent plants, how to prepare the planting mix for succulents, let's get to know more about it.
Some succulent planting enthusiasts don't know how to mix soil when planting for the first time. Now, various types of planting soils are available on the market, from compost to peat and horticultural compost. It's actually very simple: mix different grades of coarse horticultural sand to create a water-permeable planting mix, with the amount of coarse sand ranging from 30% to 70%. Experienced gardeners can decide the specific ratio based on their own planting experience, planting environment, and available materials, to determine the mix ratio of soil, sand, and coarse sand.
Peat soil is more prone to root-mealybugs compared to compost soil. Some growers feel that living stones do not grow well in peat soil medium. I initially used peat soil, but now I prefer to use a mix based on garden soil. Coconut fiber is now trending to replace peat soil, but its decomposition rate is too fast for very slow-growing cactus species.
Some species, such as the stonecrop-like Echeveria, do not like calcareous soil and prefer a mix containing peat soil. Others, like the turtleback cactus and the golden barrel cactus, usually grow in calcareous loam in their native habitats, so their planting mix should include some heavy calcium carbonate or dolomite granules. Additionally, some plants like Geohintonias prefer to grow in almost pure gypsum soil.
Heavy calcium carbonate is slightly alkaline and can neutralize the acidity in the soil; dolomite contains calcium and magnesium carbonate, which is also slightly alkaline; gypsum contains calcium sulfate, which is neutral; lime contains calcium oxide, which is too alkaline and cannot be used for potted flowers.
The planting mix I use:
For example, the potting mix I use is made from kitchen organic waste and garden leaves, etc., after composting and screening out fine particles. I accumulate these waste materials in a large 4-foot tall plastic bucket, allowing them to decompose, (C-S) even making some extra money for the local hobbyist association. Unlike peat soil, this homemade compost medium contains almost no soil, making it unfavorable for pests like root-mealybugs to thrive.
After screening the compost, I add one-third of sand, which is a mix of equal parts of pure sand and 2 mm diameter chert or quartz coarse sand. I also use this coarse sand for surface decoration of the potting soil. The ratio can be controlled using small containers or by hand, so my ingredient ratio is four handfuls of compost soil, one handful of coarse sand, and one handful of pure sand. For species native to alkaline lime soil, I add some dolomite granules, and for "high-maintenance" species, I usually add more sand.
The mixed planting mix is placed in a stainless steel container, moistened with rainwater, then sealed and heated for a period (such as 2 hours at 107°C) to ensure the killing of insects, larvae, eggs, and weed seeds that are inevitably present in garden waste compost. However, some easy soil microbes will survive, especially those that reproduce by spores.
The above sharing on how to prepare the planting mix for succulents is hoping to help you, and at the same time, I hope everyone comes to see more green plant and flower experience knowledge!