Detailed Explanation of the Method for Mixing Cactus Medium
About these, do you know? Introduction to succulent cacti, detailed explanation of the method for mixing cactus medium, the specific content is as follows:
(1) Selection of Breathable Materials
With the arrival of winter, I write down the planting experience accumulated over the years, just hoping to help some cactus enthusiasts, if there are any unclear points, I hope all the flower friends will criticize and instruct! First, let's talk about the problem of medium mixing.
How to use the materials at hand to mix the best medium, this problem has always plagued many flower friends. Regarding the problem of medium mixing, I always believe that the quality of the medium directly affects the growth of most cacti, and the scope can only be limited to common species. Today, I will talk about some medium mixing issues suitable for most cacti.
First of all, it is the basic requirements of medium mixing. Because most cacti have relatively high requirements for the medium, it is not just about randomly using some soil or coal slag and so on. Before mixing the medium, you need to first understand the growth habits of the cacti and then properly mix the ideal medium.
To mix an ideal medium, I think the following five requirements should be met:
1. It must be loose and breathable;
2. It must have good drainage;
3. It must have moderate water retention;
4. Add a certain amount of humus-containing substances according to their habits;
5. Try to maximize the use of available materials, adapt to local conditions, and use local materials.
Now let's talk about the problem of breathable and water-permeable materials. I believe that many cactus enthusiasts are familiar with most breathable and water-permeable materials, but I still need to talk about the problems that occur in this type. Generally, these materials are easy to find, such as sand, orchid stone,植金石 (zhíjīnshí), light stone, perlite, and so on.
(1) About sand, where I am located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it is mostly river sand, which is relatively easy for me to find. I think if it is used well, it can be a good material. The sand should be sieved to remove the fine particles, leaving the coarser ones, and then washed and dried for later use.
(2) About 植金石 (zhíjīnshí), orchid stone, and light stone, after comparing the cost-performance, I mostly choose orchid stone or light stone as the breathable and water-permeable materials for cacti. Actually, I quite like 植金石 (zhíjīnshí), but its price is too high and I have abandoned it. Before using these materials, you must sieve out excessive dust and leave the particles of different sizes for later use.
(3) Perlite, this material has a shortcoming that it is too light and easy to float on the surface of the pot when watering, so I have abandoned it.
(4) Coal slag, if used well, it can also be a good material. Sieving coal slag of moderate size is a very laborious task. This material has the advantage of good breathability and water permeability, but the disadvantage is that it dries too much in sunny days and too slowly in rainy days, so it needs to be mixed with some other media to neutralize this situation.
(2) About the Particle Size of Cactus Medium
About the particle size of the medium, it has always been believed that in cactus plants, it is still necessary to mix the medium according to the size of the plant itself and the local climate environment. Since I am in the humid and cold area of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, this is not a big problem, but the key is to mix the appropriate particle size of the medium. Based on my own planting experience, I summarize the following four points:
1. The particle size of the medium during the sowing period. It is recommended to use particles of about 2 millimeters, which is the size of rice grains, and try to sieve out excessive dust from the medium.
2. The particle size of the medium when transplanting seedlings for the first time. When the seedlings reach 0.5 cm, the particle size is usually 3-4 mm, which is the size between mung beans. Try to sieve out the dust left in the medium to achieve water permeability.
3. The particle size of the medium when pruning the roots of young seedlings for the first time. When the young seedlings grow to a certain size, such as about 1 cm, it is time to prune the roots to fit the pot. At this time, you need to increase the particle size to about 5 mm and sieve out the dust left in the medium, referring to the size between soybeans.
4. Finally, the particle size of the medium for near-adult or adult cacti. I always believe that adult plants have strong roots and need larger particle sizes for cultivation, usually about 6 mm. Although the particle size is larger, the later growth often brings unexpected results. Large particles are ideal for mature plants and can make the plant produce stronger roots!
(3) Selection of Other Materials
Rationally using the materials at hand to prepare the best medium mix for oneself is a problem that most cactus enthusiasts pay attention to. As far as I know, the following materials are currently common and widely used:
1. Red jade soil, its ingredients are not mentioned, only its use effect. This material is highly praised and favored by most cactus enthusiasts. However, due to its high price, I only use a small amount of it targetedly. The advantage of this material is its good water retention and breathability, but the disadvantage is that it has no fertility. If pure red soil is used, the plant usually performs well in the early stage, but once it reaches the later stage, the lack of fertility can cause the plant to grow too weak or even slow down. If used properly, red jade soil will dominate in the soil mixing materials.筛去粉尘 (Sieve out the dust) and leave the particles for later use.
2. Cactus soil, I think it is actually orchid soil, the special soil for planting orchids. This material is moderately priced and has been widely used as a medium material. Its advantage is good fertility, strong roots, and strong seedlings, but the disadvantage is that it is not easy to penetrate water. Once it encounters long-term rainy weather, it is not easy to dry quickly, which requires the help of other materials to improve this shortcoming.筛去粉尘 (Sieve out the dust) and leave the particles for later use.
3. Peat, commonly known as humus medium. I often use this material, which is common in the market. Sometimes there are mixed goods, so it is necessary to distinguish. Generally, good-quality peat has more humus and decomposes slowly without becoming powdery. Poor-quality peat not only has poor fertility but also easily sticks together in large clumps after watering, making it difficult for plants to take root. Generally, good-quality peat includes: Fafade peat, Danish soil, and I usually use Cuizhen soil. Place it in the sun to dry for a few days before use.
4. Plant ash and rice husk, these two materials are difficult to find, so I rarely use them. Friends with conditions, if convenient to find, these are also relatively economical and good planting materials. Plant ash seems to have the effect of sterilization and can increase the potassium content of plants, regulating acidic soil. Sometimes, fully carbonized rice husk can also achieve the effect of plant ash. For friends who want to make these materials, the most primitive method is to find an abandoned large pot and fry the rice husk in the pot to a carbonized state. It must be stacked for a period of time before use.
5. Limestone, this material only accounts for a small part of the medium mixing ratio, mainly for some terrestrial cacti, such as rock peony species. Common ones include: shellfish, eggshells, and mountain stones containing limestone.
6. The last one is base fertilizer, which is commonly heard as warm fertilizers such as cow dung, deer dung, pigeon dung, and bean cakes. (As for chemical fertilizers, I rarely use them and have almost no experience.) It must be stacked or composted for a period of time before use.
7. In addition to the above materials, there are some materials commonly used by cactus enthusiasts, such as pond mud,鹿沼土 (lùzhǎo soil), and so on. Without practice, there is no right to speak. I hope cactus enthusiasts who know about it will supplement it when they have time.
(4) About the Preparation of the Medium
I have mentioned the common planting materials before. How to use the materials at hand and arbitrarily prepare the medium suitable for your own environment, you first need to understand the plant's growth habits, local climate, and your own environment for preparation. Of course, don't imagine that preparing the medium is very difficult. It's actually just a matter of spending more time and effort. previously mentioned five requirements (1. It must be loose and breathable; 2. It must have good drainage; 3. It must have moderate water retention; 4. Add a certain amount of humus-containing substances according to their habits; 5. Try to maximize the use of available materials, adapt to local conditions, and use local materials).
Most cactus medium preparations are similar, so I'll just talk about them in general. About the mixing ratio of cactus medium, the best method is to mix at will. As the saying goes, there are no fixed rules, as long as the above five points are met, it is fine, and there is no need to distinguish too finely. According to the size and state of the plant, reasonable mixing is divided into four stages (the particle size issue has been mentioned before, so it will not be repeated here):
1. The mixing ratio of播种介质 (sowing medium)
(1) Red jade soil 50%, coal slag 20%, peat 30%
(2) Red jade soil 50%, peat 30%, coarse sand 20%
(3) Coal slag 50%, peat 30%, coarse sand 20%
2. The mixing ratio of the medium when transplanting seedlings for the first time
(1) Red jade soil 50%, peat 30%, coarse sand 20%
(2) Red jade soil 50%, peat 30%, coarse sand 20%
(3) Coal slag 50%, peat 30%, coarse sand 20%
3. The mixing ratio of the medium when pruning the roots of young seedlings for the first time
(1) Red jade soil 30%, cactus soil 30%,植金石 (代替品：轻石，兰石) 20%, peat 20% plus a small amount of bone meal and limestone or not
(2) Cactus soil 40%, coal slag 30%, 植金石 (代替品：轻石，兰石) 20%, coarse sand 10% plus a small amount of bone meal and limestone or not
(3) Coal slag 50%, peat 30%, coarse sand 20% plus a small amount of bone meal and limestone or not
4. The mixing ratio of the medium for near-adult or adult cacti
(1) Red jade soil 30%, cactus soil 40%, 植金石 (代替品：轻石，兰石) 20%, peat 10% plus a small amount of bone meal and limestone
(2) Coal slag 20%, cactus soil 40%, 植金石 (代替品：轻石，兰石) 20%, peat 20% plus a small amount of bone meal and limestone
(3) Coal slag 20%, cactus soil 40%, coarse sand 20%, peat 20% plus a small amount of bone meal and limestone
(4) Coal slag 40%, peat 30%, coarse sand 20%, warm fertilizer 5% plus a small amount of bone meal and limestone
After the medium is mixed, it is best to place it in the sun to dry for a few days before use. If you add a small amount of furan丹 (furan丹) before use, it can prevent certain pests such as scale insects and ladybugs. This method is only suitable for a small number of planters. If the planting volume is large, it is recommended to use chemicals for spray prevention.
The detailed explanation of the method for mixing cactus medium shared above, hoping this article can bring you some help in green plant management!