Mineral mixology: how to make the perfect mineral soil for cacti and succulents
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- Опубликовано: 19 май 2024
- This video about mineral soils for cacti and succulents comes in three parts.
Part 1 provides an explanation of the nature of soil, including moisture retention, nutrient release and structure, specifically focusing on the needs of succulent plants and cacti. This section is all about understanding the properties of soil to help us to develop a soil recipe for succulents that best suits our own growing context.
Part 2 puts these ideas into practice by looking at the soil mix I use for my plants, with a specific focus on the mineral components used, including pumice, sandstone, granite, zeolite, vermiculite and cactus soil. Also, the equipment needed for making our DIY cactus recipe.
Part 3 discusses ways of amending the soil to suit different needs, including mycorrhizal inoculation, slow release fertiliser, and adjusting pH levels. This is the more advanced tier of mineral soil mixology.
This guide is relevant to all growers of cacti, succulents and caudiciforms (caudex) plants who want to promote better health in their plants.
One of the best videos I've seen on cactus soil mixes. Very informative. Totally agree with you on the pumice, it's definitely my favourite mineral component to use in mixes. If I could choose only one to use it would always be pumice. Look forward to checking your other videos out. You've definitely earned a sub from me. Happy growing 👍🏻🌵☀️🏜
Thank you! It’s impossible to understate just how perfect pumice is as a medium for these plants.
Daz, thanks so much for guiding me to this channel through your latest video. Cheers mate. Just subbed. Great channel and can’t wait to see some more vids! 🌵🌵🌵🌵
@@DannyRose-nw9yd no worries, Danny 👍🏻🌵☀️🌼🏜
Absolutely the best. I so enjoy your series. A cactus collector here in the states. You explain and express like no another. A huge fan here. All the best. 🌵❤
Loving your videos mate. Cheers
Thanks mate, appreciate the support
I was really happy this year when i found a good source of course sand / small stone near me. I live in a small town and there arn’t many options for course soil mix additive’s around. On a hunch i ended up contacting a nearby quarry to see if they had what i was looking for, and sure enough they did! They are one of very few quarries around here that have a wash plant, so they are able to provide 1/4 minus wash which is mostly between 1/16 of an inch up to 1/4 inch in size, it is quartzite and calcite with other mineral mixed in as well. It’s a lot heavier than broken down wood bark which i could use as i mostly grow tropical trees but that wasn’t something that i could get a hold of so heavier components it is. But I’m very happy with it! $60 for a 6 foot trailer load full. I actually end up using what is more like a cactus mix for a lot of my tropical trees because here we get sooo much rain in the summer and the winters are cold so they need that extra drainage. For my cactus mix i use 50% of that coarse sand, 20% coco coir, 10% perlite, and 20% of other various mineral sands dependant on what i have at the time and what the plant might want, say limestone.
It sounds like a good mix you’ve found. Buying in bulk straight from the quarry is a top solution too - wish I had something convenient like that around here!
Great video thanks, haven't ever considered wearing a mask before but it makes sense to!
Mate the amount of dust that comes off some of this stuff… it’s no good. Probably mitigated by doing it outside but who wants to take the chance?
Love hearing these topics :D
Thanks man
Excellent! Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
A great video ❤❤ Love from Srilanka
Thanks!
Great video bro! Awesome explanation. Watching from southern California!
Appreciate it!
love from california!
Thanks!
Could you make a video about watering? How can you tell that it is time to water a cactus? I've been told for succulents in general to wait for wrinkles?
Great idea! I’ll schedule something up. Wrinkles aren’t a necessity, with just a few exceptions. But it’s a surprisingly complex thing influenced by many factors - i water my cacti twice a week over the warmer months but I wouldn’t recommend that unless you’ve perfected your soil mix. A good rule of thumb is to water again when the soil is dry. Anyway, thanks for watching!
What are your thoughts on adding perlite to a cactus mix
It’s an okay substitute for pumice. I don’t like it personally because it’s so light it floats to the top of the mix over time, but in terms of water retention and trace nutrient release it performs the same sort of job as the pumice in my mix.
I use perlite with no issues. Last year I had a Peruvian grow over 2 foot.
You are correct I slow down the loss of perlite by putting a light top coating of fine river rock.
Hi, nice video.
What the different of soil for terracotta and plastic pot? I use terracotta. Thanks from Italy
Thank you! In terracotta pots I’d be using more organic material - the pots will dry quicker, so retaining more moisture will be your goal.
@@AridZine grazieeeee.