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OfflineAcaterpillar
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Perlite in succulent potting mix?
    #11358529 - 10/31/09 04:20 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

So I have 5 bridgesii cuttings that need to be potted soon for the winter. Unfortunately my money is limited and I've already used all of my pre-mixed succulent soil, so I was looking into mixing my own.

I was reading on a website that perlite is necessary when mixing your own cacti soil, though this was surprising to me because I was under the impression that perlite retains its moisture. Wouldn't this be the exact opposite of what I'm trying to achieve with my potting mixture?

I know perlite helps with consistency, and can aid in allowing oxygen into the soil, but would it be a good additive to a succulent mixture?

I was planning on making the following mixture (if Perlite really is necessary):
3/6 Miracle Gro Organic Choice soil
1/6 Perlite
2/6 Fine Sand

Would this work fine for Bridgesii, and other succulents?


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Offlinekaste
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Acaterpillar]
    #11358536 - 10/31/09 04:22 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Vermiculite retains moisture. As far as i know perlite doesn't.


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OfflineHarveyWalbanger
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Acaterpillar]
    #11358805 - 10/31/09 05:11 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Perlite is for drainage, and its not really needed if your not in a waterlogged climate.  Skip it.


I'm making a biochar compost mix this winter.  You might wanna do the same if you have the means.

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Offlinesatyr
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: HarveyWalbanger]
    #11359007 - 10/31/09 05:46 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Perlite is good to add to any cacti mix if its available. It helps with drainage and is inert.
Also, skip the sand, it will only turn any good mix into mud or concrete. Coarse sand can work in some cases, but that potting soil would drain better on its own than with any sand at all.


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InvisibleBrainiac
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: satyr]
    #11359366 - 10/31/09 06:47 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

It also make's the container alot easier to pick up...(Save your back) ..I use 50/50 mix of potting soil and perlite for my bridgesii's


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InvisibleMr. Mushrooms
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Acaterpillar]
    #11362133 - 11/01/09 11:33 AM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

Rabidbaboon said:
So I have 5 bridgesii cuttings that need to be potted soon for the winter. Unfortunately my money is limited and I've already used all of my pre-mixed succulent soil, so I was looking into mixing my own.

I was reading on a website that perlite is necessary when mixing your own cacti soil, though this was surprising to me because I was under the impression that perlite retains its moisture. Wouldn't this be the exact opposite of what I'm trying to achieve with my potting mixture?

I know perlite helps with consistency, and can aid in allowing oxygen into the soil, but would it be a good additive to a succulent mixture?

I was planning on making the following mixture (if Perlite really is necessary):
3/6 Miracle Gro Organic Choice soil
1/6 Perlite
2/6 Fine Sand

Would this work fine for Bridgesii, and other succulents?




It might work but I can't stand the way it looks.  Coarse sand is better than fine sand in my opinion, builder's sand.  T. bridgesii is a cactus.  Lithops, Euphorbia and others are succulents.


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Offlinelolbience
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Mr. Mushrooms]
    #11362539 - 11/01/09 12:56 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

perlite is full of little craters and holes that spreads it's surface area. It does not absorb water, but allows the water to be spread out and evaporate faster. perlite is definitely a good idea for cacti mix, especially when you're working with bridgesii.

Like everyone else suggested, I'd skip the sand, or at least use course sand. If at all, I'd put a layer of course sand or some gravel/rocks as a top layer to keep out some common cacti pests.

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OfflineCactusdan
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: lolbience]
    #11366363 - 11/01/09 11:28 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Only use the sand if it is very coarse, also called grit.

Tends to help drainage and not compact.

I use a coarse pavers sand in my mix.


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InvisibleBrainiac
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Acaterpillar]
    #11366408 - 11/01/09 11:42 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Just because it's a cacti doesn't mean you have to  use sand.... 

Add some real good compost...

Stand them up / lay them down..Someplace with air movement and they will send out roots..Then plant them....


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OfflinetheMallacht
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Brainiac]
    #11366466 - 11/02/09 12:02 AM (14 years, 4 months ago)

I use standard cactus mix, with a bunch of perlite added, as well as some bone meal, blood meal, bat guano, worm castings, and whatever else I happen to have around to throw in there... All in small quantities though of course as cacti aren't the biggest feeders....


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OfflineAcaterpillar
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: theMallacht]
    #11366722 - 11/02/09 01:27 AM (14 years, 4 months ago)

I would of potted at least one cacti as a log, but none of the pots I had available were wide enough unfortunately. Most of them already had tap roots on the callous so hopefully they take root quickly.

The Miracle Gro Organic soil was a little damp which worried me. I'm hoping none of them experience root rot.

I mixed all the soil with a decent amount of perlite, and they're in full sun, so I'm the soil will dry out relatively fast.


--------------------
Aaa...E I O Uuu...A E I O Uuu..A E I O uh Uuu..
*Cough* *Cough*
Ooo...U E I O Aaa...U E I Aaa..A E I O Uuuuu...

At first sight, The Perfection of Wisdom is bewildering, full of paradox and apparent irrationality.

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Invisibledanielx
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Acaterpillar]
    #11379101 - 11/03/09 06:42 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

Rabidbaboon said:
I would of potted at least one cacti as a log, but none of the pots I had available were wide enough unfortunately. Most of them already had tap roots on the callous so hopefully they take root quickly.

The Miracle Gro Organic soil was a little damp which worried me. I'm hoping none of them experience root rot.

I mixed all the soil with a decent amount of perlite, and they're in full sun, so I'm the soil will dry out relatively fast.




take them out of the full sun of they are rooting. It can't drink water.


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Long live kratom :kratom:

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OfflineAcaterpillar
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: danielx]
    #11379372 - 11/03/09 07:19 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

They're not being watered. I'm bringing them inside when it's raining. I don't see how keeping them in full sun would be harmful.


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At first sight, The Perfection of Wisdom is bewildering, full of paradox and apparent irrationality.

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Offlinesatyr
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Acaterpillar]
    #11379598 - 11/03/09 07:53 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

The sun can sometimes dehydrate them quickly if they are small specimens, causing them to take longer to root. But if they are plump healthy specimens they should root faster in good sunlight.
Still, I prefer keeping mine in slightly filtered sunlight under a tree. Just depends on the specimen.


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Invisibledanielx
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Acaterpillar]
    #11379639 - 11/03/09 07:59 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

here, dont take my word for it. i have no idea what im talking about.

Quote:

Rooting is best accomplished with some shade to prevent sunburn of the plant.



http://www.dbg.org/index.php/gardening/growingguides/ground/rooting

Quote:

rooted cuttings only get sun for half a day. The sun would make short work of plants that are not established.



http://cactiguide.com/growcacti/

Quote:

Place in a warm partially shaded place (avoid direct sun).



http://trichocereus.com/index6.htm

Quote:

Remember you will have to slowly introduce your cactus to full sun again other wise you will burn it!



http://www.sanpedroman.com/cuttingcare.htm


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OfflineAcaterpillar
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: danielx]
    #11381352 - 11/04/09 01:19 AM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

danielx said:
here, dont take my word for it. i have no idea what im talking about.

Quote:

Rooting is best accomplished with some shade to prevent sunburn of the plant.



http://www.dbg.org/index.php/gardening/growingguides/ground/rooting

Quote:

rooted cuttings only get sun for half a day. The sun would make short work of plants that are not established.



http://cactiguide.com/growcacti/

Quote:

Place in a warm partially shaded place (avoid direct sun).



http://trichocereus.com/index6.htm

Quote:

Remember you will have to slowly introduce your cactus to full sun again other wise you will burn it!



http://www.sanpedroman.com/cuttingcare.htm



Thanks for the sources. I never attacked your intelligence. I'm sorry that you took offense.


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Aaa...E I O Uuu...A E I O Uuu..A E I O uh Uuu..
*Cough* *Cough*
Ooo...U E I O Aaa...U E I Aaa..A E I O Uuuuu...

At first sight, The Perfection of Wisdom is bewildering, full of paradox and apparent irrationality.

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Invisibledanielx
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: Acaterpillar]
    #11381556 - 11/04/09 03:04 AM (14 years, 4 months ago)

:cheers:


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Long live kratom :kratom:

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InvisibleMr. Mushrooms
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Re: Perlite in succulent potting mix? [Re: danielx]
    #11392446 - 11/05/09 05:17 PM (14 years, 4 months ago)

Good advice and research.  :thumbup:


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