Four Top Succulent Soil Comparison
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- Опубликовано: 28 июл 2024
- This is a succulent potting mix comparison video. I compared 4 succulent mixes side by side, starting from the cheapest to the most expensive. These are some of the most used and popular succulent mixes out there. The first one is Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm and Citrus Potting Mix, the second one is Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix, the third one is Sun Gro Black Gold Cactus Mix, and the last one is Bonsai Jack Cactus and Succulent Mix.
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It would have been great if you added 500ml of water to each soil and measure how much water leaves the pot after 2 minutes. That would tell you how much water is retained
Right?! I guess this was just a cost and appearance comparison
THANK YOU for mentioning THE SIZE OF THE BAG YOU BOUGHT to help give newbies a size comparison when they’re order ONLINE and have no clue what the size look like in comparison.
It’s been dam near impossible in the last two hours to find anyone mentioning this simple detail. People just speak and assume everyone knows this stuff. Thank you!
Thank you for showing the difference in the products!
Really useful. Cannot believe how free draining that last one is. My plants would see the water coming and then realise they had missed it. Like the idea of making mixes that suit your own style
Thanks! I totally agree because a lot depends on how we care for the plants and the climate in our area so there’s no one right solution
I love the Bonsai Jack! I usually mix a bit of the original potting mix when I repot my succulents.. Might look into adding some black gold!
Thanks so much for this video!
Thank you! very helpful, good demonstration!!
Great video, very informative. Right now Im caring for my cactuses that I just bought from the store and a few of them need to be repotted so when I go to my hardware store I will try "black gold" it seems very promising and reliable.
Thanks for watching!
Great review of all these soils. I have used all of them as well. But now I just make my own because it's cheaper and I can make it to my exact needs.
You actually don't need to add anything to the Bonsai Jack, it retains moisture better than you're probably expecting. One of the ingredients is pine coir, which is excellent at providing optimal moisture retention. The mix also has "monto" clay which basically has the same properties as hard akadama. That to say, it retains just the right amount of moisture while also allowing the excess to drain more easily. I've actually used all 4 of these at one point or another, with succulents as well as with bonsai, both indoors and out. The Bonsai Jack is definitely the best product out of the 4, by a pretty wide margin actually.
Good advice!! Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
당신의 프로필 사진에 나오는 화분은 한국에서도 저렴하게 수매할 수 있고, 저도 가지고 있어요 ! 그래서 더 반갑네요 .
soil mix 영상 잘 봤어요 !
Thank you
🤗 Great video!
Great video. I'm a miracle gro user and I've learned how to work with it over the yrs. It's not the best but it keeps my succulents happy. I'm looking to switch brands so this was pretty helpful. Thanks for sharing. I know I should have been using the good soil all these yrs, but you do what you can, with what you have lol. With a collection growing everyday, I figured I'd better invest in a better potting soil. I have over 200 succulents so I'm looking for something that lasts for a while. The blackgold seems the best from what I hear.
Thanks for your comment!
Great explanation.
Thanks for watching!
I tend to use initial mixture Bonsai Jack cacti/succulent. I do mostly succulent plants (e.g dwarf/large Jade, with a few cacti). Then add additional ingredients like what you indicate (bark, potting soil, large sand, crushed granite, etc.). I do not add any fertilizer in mixture for cuttings/young cacti/succulents (bad experiences). I use granular organic and fish/kelp fertilizers mostly on top of soil. I’ve noticed the liquid fertilizers tend to wash through too fast. Thank you for this video.
Welcome! Thanks for watching.
The intro reminded me of jack and Daxter a bit (video game) and thank you for the video :)
Thanks for watching!
Very informative video
thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for making this, I'm just getting into potting and it's so annoying to tell the difference between soil types
Thankyou :) very cute and helpful video :) 🤍
Very good!
Just bought the Sun Gold Cactus Mix from ace hardware for pickup. Only costs $6.49 for 1 8qt. bag :) awesome video, thank you so much! I'm new to succulents!
How do you like it so far? Hope the soil works out for you. Thanks for watching!!
Cost me 12 bucks for pickup. I noticed some black gold cactus mix has peat moss and some dont!!
Well hey, it’s neat to see the company I work for on here! I work for the third one you talked about, on the production floor.
Awesome! thanks for watching!
You tryna send me a bag for free 😢
@@americanswetar9921 that depends on whereabouts you’re at.. lol.
The black gold looks exactly what I looking for. Looks quick draining
Great info
Thanks for watching!
I am trying to grow Giant Sequoias, failed 4 times so far, I think they all died of Root Rot, I heard growing them in cactus soil is best, Bonsai Jack looks like the one I need
I use the Miracle Gro potting mix. I bake it at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes to kill the bugs.
I just started using EPSOMA CACTUS MIX ITS GREAT.....IN MIDWEST
The problem is those soils that "look like potting mix" because they're loaded with organic material will ROT over the course of several years, causing the roots of many succulents and cacti to themselves rot. The Bonsai Jack might be too dry for someone who doesn't want to water every day or so, but I would make sure that whatever I used was 2/3 inorganic material. If you plan on repotting every year or two then I suppose it doesn't matter and the Black Gold Cactus mix does look nicer.
I make my own mix similar to BJ. Pine bark, chicken grit, expanded shale and diatomaceous earth. Just got pumice so might switch something out or add to it! Water a little more than normal, but no root rot!
Thanks for sharing! Where do you get the materials from?
@@succulentplantcare373 pine bark inside from soil conditioner, chicken grit from the tractor store, expanded shale from a nursery, DE from Napa #8822 and pumice from a different nursery, I use some of this mix for my bonsai so it all works out. SC $5, CG $7, ES $5 and DE $10. The pumice is cubic foot for $30, but i use most of that for bonsai. All sifted!
@@iPheek thanks for sharing!
What do the spider mite eggs look like? I just bought a bag and it's my first time using it and I don't want an infestation on my hands 😓
Recommended review🇲🇨
Thank you. I have miracle Grow which I got when I started my succulents. So I’m wanting to mix that with Bonsai Jack. I’m going to be repotting my string of dolphins and pearls when I get the mix in.
I have the same one but I’m noticing it dries WAY too fast! And even if I water them twice a week I get soft dehydrated leafs🤦🏻♀️ and idk how to fix it...
@@yaima0901 it depends on where you live. There’s other mixes that will probably be better if you live in a drier climate. I live in PA and so far my succulents are doing great. I ran out of Miracle Grow mix and just planted in Bonsai Jack. They seem to be doing well. I want to get some coconut coir for things that aren’t rooted though. I’m trying to get away from peat moss.
@@yaima0901 Yes I noticed that with bonsai jack I do need to water my plants more because they dry out fast! It's good for some people but not so good for others, depending on how you take care of your plants. Maybe try watering deeper or more often.
Just throw away the miracle or return it of you can. It is total garbage and i wouldnt subject any plant to it.
I mix miracle gro and black gold together.
Thank you for doing this comparison. I have 3 overgrown Hatioras in baskets. I am affraid to mess with them as they are very healthy, but I would like to add some soil to their roots. What do you think would be best?
I’m not very familiar with Hatioras but I know they need a fast draining soil. For me, when I’m in doubt, I use Bonsai jack because it is super fast draining
@@succulentplantcare373 Thank you.
My mother in law has used Miracle Gro for many years and has no problem with it.
Yes me too! Thanks for your comment
What does spider mite eggs look like?
How much perolite would you add to Hoffman’s? 50/50? I live in southern Louisiana. Very humid weather.
Hi I would try 2:1 first. 2 part soil and 1 part perlite and see how it goes!
Hi thank you for this video I’m new to your channel. What store sells the Black Gold? I’ve never seen that bfor but I would like to try that too.
Try the hardware store
Sorry for the late reply. Hardware store like Ace hardware would usually have it.
Great, now I know where my spider mites came from :( thanks for the video!
I usually don't have problems with this soil and have had good luck but I've heard of others that have problems..
Their entire product line are garbage. All their soils usually have some sort of hitchhiker.
Mine came q
Infested with bugs...the black gold 😣
@@elsaarmendariz2612 Oh man, sorry to hear that! sometimes you just never know what you're going to get in that bag!
@@elsaarmendariz2612 I usually sterilize any soil with boiling water, so my plants are always healthy!
In my opinion, any soil is good for succulents or cacti, BUT-I always amend them myself, as you said. For example; Miracle-Gro is WAY too thick, organic & rich for ANY plant, in my eyes, not even just succulents. It has almost no drainage. I add whatever inert ingredients that I possibly can to the soil I purchase; perlite, pumice, decomposed granite, Oil-Dri (small clay flakes, or unscented organic kitty litter), crushed volcanic rock.
The only brand I’ve not had to add anything to is Black Gold succulent mix. But I still did. You can see the small volcanic rocks and pumice in it. It’s expensive on Amazon but cheaper at certain other places.
In reality, I’ve learned from semi hydroponics and houseplants. Have you heard if Lechuza Pon? “Pon” is a substrate made of mostly rocky materials with Osmocote granules for nutrition. You can do it in a DIY version. Pumice, perlite, the unscented kitty litter, zeolite, activated charcoal and the Osmocote. It seems like nothing, but it’s ideal and succulents will root. If water retention is a concern I would add vermiculite to the mix. Pon even works for tropical plants if you keep it in a small tray of water (semi hydro). It’s an improvement on LECA (clay balls). At PetSmart and Petco they sell a zeolite and charcoal blend for $13. It’s a good amendment to any substrate too. Helps purify the soil and prevent anaerobic bacteria, while adding drainage.
I know I didn't see the spider mite eggs but if they were yellow and kind of transparent those are fertilizer prills
I just use Bonzai Jack for the first time today. I did see how fast the water ran through. We’re the roots even able to get any water in them? I’m wondering if I will have to water more often?
Yes you definitely need to water more often when using Bonsai Jack. I noticed the plants dry out really fast. I've actually been mixing it with succulent soil and it's been working out better for me.
@@succulentplantcare373 what ratio of BJ to succulent soil do you use?
@@Xx_KitKat1208_xX It depends...I don't use exact measurements but around 1:1 is what I start out with
Hi! Do u have plants that u have grown in each type of soil? Same plants, planted same day? I would like to see the growth quality, or performance of each soil. Thank u!
Good idea! My husband is working on that 'experiment'. I don't have the patience to do it but luckily, he does 😀
@@succulentplantcare373 great! Would u pls kindly update us when its done?
Sure!
@@Ruthsmithology Sure!
Are you sure that those are spider mite eggs, which are clear, versus osmocote which is actually little fertilizer balls?
Yes, they're osmocote. Someone pointed that out in the comments. I don't toss those out anymore 🙂.
Thank you! I wonder if I can find the bonsai mix in stores. Shipping must be expensive.
Actually shipping is free for the bonsai jack, I cant remember for the others. Find the link to the amazon store in the description.
Are these natural and organic or do the have chemicals? What about mold or bugs? On Amazon almost every soil mix comments say either mold or bugs
Hoffmans and black gold are labeled organic. Miracle gro is not. Bonsai jack has all natural materials as far as I know. I haven’t had any problems with mold or bugs with these but I have read comments from other people that have. I think it depends on your area and the store’s suppliers.
Succulent Plant Care ok thanks do you buy on Amazon
@@danimotherofchickens479 Yes amazon or my local stores like home depot or lowes
The Bonzai Jack is for Death Valley plants... Water goes through it as though it was all rocks... Lol...
It looks like it is all rocks. I’ll just go dig some up for free! 😅
have you done any growing tests in these different media since making this video?
My husband has. He's been doing propagation and growing tests using these and other media such as pumice, calcined clay. He's still working on it and compiling the results
I lost 3 plants by using the Hoffman by itself. TOO much moisture retention. Lesson learned.
Do you have that soil in philippines
I’m not sure but I think they might have different brands of soil in the Philippines
I just reported a succulent using the bonsai jack. It seems weird that their doesn't seem to be much actual soil in it. Will my plant still grow ok? Will it be able to get the nutrients it needs?
Repotted-not reported
I think I'd like to do a mix but since I just repotted it, I think I need to give the roots time to heal.
Wow, Hoffman's does not look like it's good for succulents or cacti. I know I didn't get a really good look at it but it does not look like it has much peat in it. It honestly looks more like regular potting soil. I wouldn't even risk it on my plants. Plus with some of the research that I have done I have found that their brand of soil is known to have mold issues.
Thanks for your comment!
Black gold is good stuff but I think they overdo the perlite
I have killed more succulents than I care to count with the Miracle Grow succulent mix. There are a lot of different types of succulents that come from entirely different places. Many of them grow in very well draining areas with lots of rock. Some actually grow in rocks. The Miracle Grow mix contains ingredients that hold water for too long for most succulents. Anything that contains bug eggs is unacceptable to me anyway.
The Black Gold does have worm castings but that is not something that is going to help your plant over the long term. The Hoffman brand is good but still not enough drainage material. That can be corrected with some pumice or lava rocks. There are a variety of amendments available online. Seems like we have to buy so many things online these days. I much prefer the Bonsai Jack gritty mix for some succulents. The things like the Christmas cactus type need more soil for their roots to wrap around.
It is best to study each type of succulent so you know which is their dormant season. Some are dormant in the winter and some are dormant in the summer. Some types can take more sun than others. It is all information that is vital for you to have in order to not only keep your plant alive but to help it to thrive. There are some good succulent books available on Amazon. Get one that has the info helpful for your particular needs.
Thanks for your detailed comment. I agree. Each plant has its particular growing needs. The "eggs" I was referring to in Miracle gro were actually osmocote--I don't throw those out anymore.
I wonder if you used the MIracle Gro "Succulent" mix or this "Cactus..." mix. I've seen a lot of complaints on Amazon about the succulent mix not containing any sand or perlite. After watching this video, this cactus mix sounds like it is much better than the succulent mix, even if it is inferior to the other mixes in this review.
Sungro Black Gold is the worst soil i've ever used! It was more than ninety percent perlite with just a little very black soil. The mixture was so light the plants could barely stand up in the pot and within hours the soil was completely dried out. That was in plastic pots and even worse when using a clay pot. I used Espoma for a long time, then they completely switched and became worthless with big twigs and rocks and barely any perlite. A very heavy mix and nothing at all like it used to be. Other brands have also done this over the years. If you look closely on the back of most bags, the list of ingredients fluctuate tremendously according to which area it was processed at, and of course they dont give you that information. I normally mix my soils myself, but it's nice to have something simple that doesn't need much done to it to use in certain situations.
Spider might eggs... jfc
Yea...
She said in the comments they aren’t spider mite eggs anymore.
Not every succulent needs the exact same soil. There are thousands of types of cacti and other succulents. They come from all over the world. If you read the ingredient list on those commercial brands you should have a pretty good idea what will work well long term. Most succulents will live for several months, even a year or more, in a poor quality soil just because they naturally have such an ability to survive. If you want more than just survival then do some study on your particular type of succulents and learn where they come from and what type of conditions they would naturally live under. Then you will know what they really need. You are going to find about a hundred different opinions for every 100 different RUclipsrs you listen to so learning from a successful professional is recommended. There are many people out there trying to make some money off the succulent craze that has been going on for several years now.
Personally, if one of the major ingredients on a label is peat I will not buy it. Peat holds in water and that is not what you want with most succulents. I agree that of the many larger commercial brands out there that Black Gold has the least harmful ingredient list. I do like Bonsai Jack’s products very much, too, and usually end up mixing Bonsai Jack’s gritty mix for succulents with some Black Gold cactus mix. I might also add some perlite and/or some other soil amendments for drainage. With some species I may use more grit and for others I may use a little more organic material. Once you have worked with your plants for a while you begin to see what they respond best to.
Don’t settle for your succulents just surviving. Do what you can to get them to thrive.
thanks for your comment!
I wish I could get some good soil for succulents, something that will really drain. Miracle grow doesn't drain well and it sucks and is full of little flies. A good succulent mix should drain as fast as you are pouring the water in the pot. It should have enough course river sand and perlite. So don't open that inside your house. Not a sterilized mix. 🤬
You can try bonsai jack brand. Their succulent mix drains super fast but it’s a bit pricey
I tell everyone that if you ah/umh me it’s an automatic no subscription, but TY for sharing the information!
I have accepted my succulents hate me..
miracle grow killed my plants 😭 😢 that is the worst soil
Sorry to hear that! I’ve never had problems with it but I know some people have
More likely improper care is what killed the plants. Just sayin’
Math is off
Miracle grow can go out of business for all I care. Stupid fertilizer grr.