From recent threads I've posted I've found out that the potting mix for cacti and succulents isn't the best mix for my cacti. I know that there are people on this forum from around the world so I know there's different brands and such. If someone from the US could help me find the right mixture for my cacti that would be awesome! (or someone that knows about mixes provided in the US) thankkss!
There are literally hundreds of recipes for soil mixes and every grower has a preference, usually based on what has worked best for them in their particular conditions. I am just an amateur, but generally speaking,for most succulents you want a mix that is fairly porous, and drains water freely. It has to hold some water, but not too much. Organic materials like peat moss and coir, or bark, for example, hold a lot of water, which is not good for many succulents and cacti. Some plants, depending where they originate, might also need high levels of some minerals, or a specific PH in order to thrive. So it helps to know the identity of the plants you want to grow so can research what their specific needs are. As you've learned, the cactus mix you get in plastic bags at most stores, if you read the ingredients, you'll see there is little or no difference between it and the stuff being sold for tropical houseplants. So it's a waste of money.. most of them have far too much peat moss in them. A lot of folks will start with something like that and then add things, called amendments, or amending the soil, to improve it's drainage properties. Sharp sand and perlite are commonly recommended. But not just any sand will do. The kind of sand they sell for kid's play grounds or sandboxes is bad news for succulents. It packs down and won't drain. Instead you want something very coarse, with a variety of sizes of particles, up to tiny pebbles, in it. It should feel sharp and rough, not smooth. Up here in snow country, the stuff sold for spreading on ice can be just perfect. But not always. There are man made additives, made of baked clay or ceramic, often used also for bonsai, that work but are expensive. If you live where you can get decomposed granite or pumice, both are great for improving drainage for succulents. Perlite works, but not everyone likes it. It's not cheap, it's messy, and it tends to migrate to the top of the pot when you water, but it will serve if you can't find good sharp sand or other such things. Good places to look for possible amendments are nurseries that sell stone and soil, concrete suppliers, for sand, or places that sell decorative stone or paving. They may have many grades, or sizes, of stone available, and may be willing to sell you a smallish bag for a reasonable price. For mixing in soil, generally you wouldn't want anything coarser than what is called pea gravel. One thing that's often available that you should avoid is limestone, or limestone screenings. Great underlayment for paving stones, but bad for plants, except for the very few lime loving plants. What's available in any given area can vary widely and you have to look around to see what you can find. I usually start with something like basic potting mix, without the extra water holding stuff. To one part of that I add two parts of coarse sand, one of perlite, and a half part of coarse gravel. I pack some in a pot and water it and see how fast it drains. If it's not pretty darn fast, I add more sand or perlite until it seems right. Practice makes perfect and you have to experiment a bit. Btw, coarse gravel is also great for larger or tall plants that get top heavy, it provides stability with its extra weight. I hope this helps a bit - I'm a long way from being an expert but most of my cacti and succulents seem reasonably happy. There are tons of forums and discussion groups where you can find more specific recipes and advice, but hopefully this gives you a place to start.
Any help is good help thank you. I just recently got interested in plants and such. I'm starting with cacti and hopefully when I move out I can extend my plant collection...I will defiantly look around to see what I can find.