What soil is best for succulents? A detailed guide to soil mixing methods
Succulents, also known as fleshy plants and succulent plants, mostly grow in tropical desert regions, where the soil is poor (mostly gravel and coarse sand) with only a small amount of soil and organic matter. This kind of soil is extremely breathable, so when growing succulents you should try your best to use planting media close to their original habitat. Let us take a look below at what soil is best for succulents!
Principles for mixing soil for succulents
1. Cultivation site: For succulents planted in the ground, more consideration should be given to drainage, and materials with strong drainage such as gravel should be added, while for potted plants, organic matter should be appropriately supplemented on the principle of ensuring loose and breathable soil. If planted on a south-facing balcony, the relatively dry and sunny characteristics should also be considered, and some substrates with strong water retention such as vermiculite and coconut coir should be added appropriately.
2. Different types: Different types of succulents may be “worlds apart” in soil mixing. For example, epiphytic types need a certain amount of humus, while some terrestrial types whose native soil is poor and whose root systems are not well developed have lower humus requirements than the former. Not only do species in different families need different soils, but even species in different genera of the same family have different soil requirements.
3. Cultivation region: Succulent soil should be mixed according to different cultivation regions. In the north, because the climate is dry, there are certain requirements for the soil's moisture retention capacity. In the south, rainfall is abundant and air humidity is high, so there are higher requirements for the soil's drainage and aeration.
4. Growth stage: Succulents at different growth stages also have different soil requirements. For example, at the seedling stage the root system is not well developed, so the organic matter content should be slightly lower, and the soil should mainly consist of lightweight materials mixed with some fine sand, after which the organic matter content can gradually be increased.
Soil mixing methods for succulents
1. Formula one: 8 parts akadama-like light stone + 2 parts send soil + a little shell powder, suitable for cultivating Lithops.
2. Formula two: 10 parts coarse sand + 2 parts wood chips + 1 part base fertilizer + 1 part garden soil, suitable for ground planting.
3. Formula three: 1 part leaf mold + 1 part peat + 2 parts coarse sand + 1 part lightweight material + a little base fertilizer, suitable for cultivating epiphytic types.
4. Formula four: 3 parts pond stone + 2 parts send soil + 1 part lightweight material + 1 part peat, suitable for cultivating hard-leaved Haworthia varieties.
5. Formula five: 2 parts garden soil + 1 part leaf mold + 4 parts coarse sand + 1 part lightweight material + half a part rice husk ash, suitable for cultivating ordinary terrestrial types.
What soil is best for succulents?
1. Orchid stone: Orchid stone is a planting medium with a porous structure, a certain water storage capacity and excellent breathability, also known as pumice, light stone and plant gold stone.
2. Vermiculite: Vermiculite is made by processing mica at high temperature. It has good breathability and is sterile. However, it very easily pulverizes, and after pulverizing its breathability is extremely poor.
3. Perlite: Perlite is made artificially. It has good breathability and is sterile. However, it very easily pulverizes, and it floats up when watering, which is unattractive.
4. Grass peat soil: Grass peat soil is formed by the accumulation, decomposition and carbonization of organic matter. It has good breathability, is neutral, and has a certain amount of nutrients, making it a very good planting medium.
5. Peat soil: Peat soil is formed by further carbonization of grass peat soil. It has good breathability, is neutral, and has no nutrients, making it a very good planting medium.
6. Akadama soil: Akadama soil is formed by the accumulation of volcanic ash. It has a porous structure and is a planting medium with excellent breathability, containing a certain amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.
7. Charcoal: Charcoal is made by burning wood. It has a porous structure, no nutrients, and a strong effect of inhibiting bacteria and absorbing harmful substances.
8. Carbonized husk: Carbonized husk is made from rice and grain husks carbonized at high temperature. It contains a certain amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, has good breathability, and has a strong antibacterial and adsorption effect.
9. Vermiculite: Vermiculite is a natural, non-toxic mineral that has a great effect on soil nutrients and can increase the soil's aeration and water retention.