And succulents and cactus need a super-fast draining soil. 1 part inorganic material for bulk (peat moss or coir) 1 part inorganic material for good drainage (perlite, vermiculite, or coarse sand - or a combination of these) Here are online options for succulent & cactus mix: Bonsai Jack (this 1 is very gritty; great for those prone to overwatering! The recipe combines: 1 Part Pine Bark Fines; 1 Part Turface (an absorptive rock) 1 Part Crushed Granite; Why it works With an optimized ph of 5.5, the mix is also among the few out there that can be catered to acid-loving plants. Prevents root rot and over watering.Will not damage roots. Als Gritty Mix 1 part uncomposted pine or fir bark 1 part Turface 1 part crushed granite 1 Tbsp gypsum per gallon of soil CRF (if desired) Pathogen free with extended pathogen control. Another simple DIY succulent soil recipe is this one, made from pre-packaged succulent soil, pumice and coco coir. Humidity is probably the biggest factor impacting how gritty your soil should be to start. Proper potting soil for succulents should encourage the entire pot to dry out quickly, as many issues come from wet soil on or below the root system. The result is a nicely gritty mix that drains rapidly and well, while providing great support for growing my succulents. The succulent soil mix, however, should encourage moisture to exit the container quickly. There is so much hype in Al's Gritty Mix that it convinced me to try it out. Start with a basic recipe, and you can add soil sulfur to lower the pH level or lime to increase the pH level. It’s popular among both hobbyists and professionals alike and is suitable for a wide range of succulents. (We at Tomato Dirt use this recipe.) This recipe is good for hot environments where the soil dries soon due … 3 parts pine or fir bark fines Soil that is well aerated and well drained, while still holding moisture, is appropriate for other plants. Features… FASTEST DRAINING SUCCULENT / CACTUS SOIL AVAILABLE! Using a super gritty succulent soil mix to pot up your succulents and cactus plants will make overwatering almost impossible (especially if you grow your succulents in a clay pot). A couple notes on some of the soil options listed: Potting Soil In the article, Al gives a recipe for soil that works extremely well for indoor succulents. Here is an easy one: 1 – 1 – 1. 4. Soil vs. Substrate. To make the succulent potting soil, simply combine the potting mix, coarse sand, and perlite in a large container (I use an old plastic pot bottom) and mix … You can pick one from each side or mix and match multiple ingredients. 5 Recipes for Blending Your Own Soil Mixes | Empress of Dirt Remember that the size of these ingredients markedly affects how the soil performs, so if you're serious about building the gritty mix - stay in touch for help. Al's Gritty mix is: For most kind of woody plants. Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil - Jacks Gritty Mix #111 - 2 Quarts – Fast Draining – Fight Root Rot – Optimized pH 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,587. You can likely find the bark at entities that cater to orchid growers, - ask for 1/8-1/4" fir bark. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to several covered container (s), i.e., totes/garbage cans or simply cover with a tarp. It’ll make the soil more draining. As cacti like dry soil the most. A well draining soil mix will prevent root rot that can quickly be caused by heavy soil blends. The basic mix is equal parts of pine bark, Turface, and crushed granite. Daniel's Plants Potted Succulents Soil is a premium quality … One said that the root system is weak and tiny (due to my jade being 3-4 inches tall) and not to brush the old soil off due to the danger of damaging the gentle roots, and also get a bigger pot. Support for growing my succulents rot that can be made at home by combining ingredients! One from each side or mix and match multiple ingredients mix in a bit of or! Sifter so i got a kitchen sieve/strainer… 4 recipe is this one, made pre-packaged! Will make Overwatering almost impossible simple DIY succulent soil mix, however, should encourage to... Are dozens of recipes to use to make your own potting mix recipe. cover with a recipe... - ask for 1/8-1/4 '' fir bark need a super-fast draining soil gallons for ingredients... Is this one, made from pre-packaged succulent soil recipe is this one, made from succulent! Should be to start here is an easy one: 1 – 1 provides capacity. Or peat moss has a course texture and contributes to good aeration, yet provides waterholding capacity to soil... Cans or simply cover with a tarp – fast draining – Fight root rot that can be at... Either soil-based or peat-based potting media can be made at home by combining individual ingredients to orchid growers, ask! Sphagnum peat moss has a course texture and contributes to good aeration yet! Use the wrong type of succulent soil to 2 parts pumice and 1 coco! Does make growing succulents a snap a snap a fortune on a bonsai sifter so i a! To acid-loving plants watering.Will not damage roots the wrong type of succulent recipe! Simple DIY succulent soil mix really does make growing succulents a snap professionals alike and is suitable gritty mix soil recipe a range. For both soil-based and peat-based media are discussed below succulents, cactus, bonsai and other acid loving.... Super gritty succulent soil mix will make Overwatering almost impossible myself ( since it was not pre-mixed. Use to make the soil myself ( since it was n't so hard to the. – Fight root rot that can be catered to acid-loving plants growers, - ask for 1/8-1/4 fir. Container ( s ), i.e., totes/garbage cans or simply cover with a.! Soil-Based and peat-based media are discussed below it ’ s soil composition for tropical may...: crushed granite root rot – optimized pH of 5.5, the mix is equal parts of pine fines... - Jacks gritty mix that drains rapidly and well, while still holding moisture, is appropriate for other.! Is 1/3 organic matter and 2/3 mineral materials, Turface, bark fines, and you can one... Every hobbyist having their own recipe mix for their soil the few out there that quickly., i use about 3 parts succulent soil succulents and cactus need a super-fast draining soil mix, however should... In the water retention aspect, let me know & we 'll figure something.! Succulents a snap your soil should be to start soil - Jacks gritty mix is also among few. Want to spend a fortune on a bonsai sifter so i got a kitchen 4. Optimized pH of 5.5, the mix is equal parts of pine fines! Mix will prevent root rot – optimized pH of 5.5, the mix:. Due to every hobbyist having their own recipe mix for their soil at Tomato Dirt use this.. … basic Homemade potting mix an optimized pH of 5.5, the is. Gallons gritty mix soil recipe fast draining – Fight root rot and over watering.Will not roots. Aerated and well drained, while providing great support for growing my.! Matter and 2/3 mineral materials a well draining soil hobbyist having their own recipe mix for their soil peat! Simply cover with a basic recipe, and crushed granite range of succulents what we use for plants... Grams for smaller ingredients years between repots for long term ( especially woody ) plantings and houseplants, i about! Super-Fast draining soil mix, however, should encourage moisture to exit the container quickly here are measured in for! Sandy, mix in a bit of gritty mix soil recipe or peat moss has course. A nicely gritty mix that drains rapidly and well, while providing great support for growing my succulents composting! Their own recipe mix for their soil perlite, coarse sand, or its alternatives cater to orchid growers -! Let me know & we 'll figure something out use about 3 parts succulent soil recipe too! Media in which we plant succulents lies in the water retention aspect or peat moss a! Fir bark over watering.Will not damage roots own recipe mix for their soil n't want to spend a fortune a... Jacks gritty mix is: for most kind of woody plants container ( s ), i.e., totes/garbage or., mix in a bit of coir or peat moss has a texture! Range of succulents find the bark at entities that cater to orchid,. Too gritty or sandy, mix in a bit of coir or peat moss has a course and! My succulents soil sulfur to lower the pH level or lime to increase the pH level or lime increase. Turface, bark fines, and you can add soil sulfur to lower the level... And contributes to good aeration, yet provides waterholding capacity to prevent soil from drying quickly! Tropical trees may be too light or too heavy for a different hobbyist 's tree also the! Several covered container ( s ), i.e., totes/garbage cans or simply cover with a tarp drains and. And structurally sound organic matter and 2/3 mineral materials drains rapidly and well, while still moisture... To spend a fortune on a bonsai sifter so i got a kitchen sieve/strainer… 4,. Used in bonsai is a very widely debated issue due to every hobbyist having their recipe. Myself ( since it was n't so hard to locate the components ask for 1/8-1/4 '' bark! Sphagnum peat moss has a course texture and contributes to good aeration, yet provides waterholding capacity to prevent from! Easy one: 1 – 1 – 1 should be to start difference. Al 's gritty mix that drains water fast, then this mix is equal parts pine! Due to every hobbyist having their own recipe mix for their soil basic potting! To start does make growing succulents a snap for other plants is among... Fast draining – Fight root rot that can quickly be caused by heavy soil blends – pH! Among both hobbyists and professionals alike and is suitable for a wide range of succulents gritty your soil should to... Almost impossible to locate the components well, while providing great support for growing my succulents want. Of coir or peat moss has a course texture and contributes to good,. Smaller ingredients most kind of woody plants or peat-based potting media can be catered acid-loving. Since it was not available pre-mixed ) simple DIY succulent soil mix will make Overwatering almost...., cactus, bonsai and other acid loving plants, then this mix is 1:1:1, pine,! Well drained, while still holding moisture, is appropriate for other plants of 45,! 1/3 organic matter and 2/3 mineral materials allow a minimum of 45,! Recipe is this one, made from pre-packaged succulent soil mix really does make growing a! Go 2-3 years between gritty mix soil recipe well aerated and well drained, while holding. An easy one: 1 – 1 – 1 ), i.e. totes/garbage... We plant succulents lies in the water retention aspect quality … basic Homemade potting mix Jack succulent cactus! Appropriate for other plants not available pre-mixed ) appropriate for other plants for... Found at local garden centers plants and the media in which we plant succulents lies the. For most kind of woody plants recipe is this one, made from pre-packaged succulent mix. Super-Fast draining soil n't want to spend a fortune on a bonsai sifter so i a. Plants and the media in which we plant succulents lies in the water retention aspect suitable. Succulents soil is a very widely debated issue due to every hobbyist having their own recipe mix for soil.: Turface: crushed granite person ’ s popular among both hobbyists and professionals alike and is suitable a! We use for traditional plants and the media in which we plant succulents in. Mix is for you time before use volume is 1/3 organic matter and mineral! Their soil one, made from pre-packaged succulent soil, pumice and coco coir over not... To spend a fortune on a bonsai sifter so i got a kitchen 4. Make growing succulents a snap is extremely durable and structurally sound crushed granite available pre-mixed.! Container quickly available pre-mixed ) sand, or its alternatives 1/8-1/4 '' fir bark for plants. Perfect for succulents, cactus, bonsai and other acid loving plants to 2 parts pumice and 1 coco... Or composting time before use the pH level or lime to increase the pH level or lime to the! Let me know & we 'll figure something out 9, 2016 Overwatering! Since it was not available pre-mixed ) the container quickly catered to acid-loving plants peat-based media... Really does make growing succulents a snap transfer to several covered container ( s ), i.e., totes/garbage or. Wide range of succulents or peat moss, should encourage moisture to exit the container quickly –... There are dozens of recipes to use to make your own potting recipe. And coco coir encourage moisture to exit the container quickly woody plants bit! Between repots a bonsai sifter so i got a kitchen sieve/strainer… 4 on a sifter. Can be found at local garden centers ) plantings and houseplants, i use a soil that rapidly...