Succulent soil mixing method: how to use the sandwich cookie method

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The "sandwich cookie method" of mixing succulent substrate means dividing the entire potting soil into three layers, each playing a different role. The core idea is to ensure the substrate is as breathable and well-draining as possible to prevent root rot. After all, keeping the little succulents alive comes first - "as long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood."

The three layers are the top layer (top dressing layer), the middle layer (nutrient layer), and the bottom layer (drainage layer).

The top 20% is the top dressing layer. This layer uses akadama, river sand, sea sand (must be thoroughly washed to remove salt), and coal cinder. The proportions can be mixed freely according to personal preference. Just treat it as top dressing stone, as long as it ensures breathability and a certain water retention capacity, it is fine.

The functions of top dressing stone:

First, decoration and aesthetics;

Second, ensuring the breathability of the plant's roots and preventing root rot;

Third, top dressing stone can drain and dry quickly, ensuring the plant's branches and leaves do not come into contact with wet soil (as shown in the image below) and always stay dry;

Fourth, fixing and supporting the plant. Sometimes the plant grows crooked due to its phototropic nature, so by adding more top dressing stone to fix it, the plant can be appropriately straightened.

In addition, it is worth noting that perlite, pumice, and rainbow stone should not be used as top dressing stone, because these two substrates have very low density, lighter than water. So when watering, they easily float to the surface on their own (as shown in the image below), flow out of the pot, affecting the appearance and causing waste.

The middle 60% is the nutrient layer. It is also the "cream layer" that makes the "cookie" most delicious. The main function of this layer is to provide nutrients for the plant and nourish the roots while ensuring water retention, drainage, and breathability. The principle is to match nutrient materials and breathable granular materials in a 1:1 ratio. Materials like leaf mold, granular peat, peat, and plant ash are nutrient materials; akadama, kiryu, coal cinder, and river sand are breathable granular materials. (PS: Although it is granular, Huawang still treats it as a nutrient material)

Some examples:

The "tall, rich and handsome" mix: akadama 25%, kiryu 25% WITH leaf mold 25%, granular peat 15%, coco coir 10%.

The "ordinary homebody" mix: akadama 15%, coal cinder 20%, perlite 15% WITH leaf mold 25%, granular peat 15%, coco coir 10%.

The "poor loser" mix: coal cinder 30%, river sand 20% WITH leaf mold 25%, granular peat 15%, coco coir 10%.

The examples above are just for reference. As long as you get the 1:1 ratio of nutrient materials to breathable granular materials right, that is enough. Everyone can DIY according to their own preferences and budget.

The image below shows a middle-layer soil mixed by Huawang, with the ratio

akadama : rainbow stone : perlite : coco coir = 2:2:2:4. In addition, shell powder was added to supplement trace elements.

The bottom 20% is the drainage layer. This layer can also be freely mixed with akadama, river sand, and coal cinder, as long as it ensures breathability and a certain water retention capacity, it is OK. In addition, perlite and pumice can be used in this layer, because they are already at the bottom layer and will not float to the surface due to density issues.

The last point worth noting is that when preparing succulent soil, you can also add a small amount of bone meal and shell powder (providing calcium and other trace elements), carbendazim (sterilization), phoxim (insecticide), and rooting powder (to help rooting).

The image below shows a drainage layer of river sand mixed with akadama prepared by Huawang.

The top dressing layer is sea sand mixed with akadama, the nutrient layer is akadama : rainbow stone : perlite : coco coir = 2:2:2:4, and the drainage layer is river sand mixed with akadama.

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