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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Amber,you should use the sand.That's what I use I mix about 75 percent Good old Florida sand from my yard,and 25 percent potting mix.Our sand has got to be good,because all the plants in Florida are so lush,and green,and they grow in it fine
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felixhigh
Scientist



Registered: 06/24/01
Posts: 7,557
Loc: Ly
Last seen: 2 months, 3 days
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Re: My lil Loph [Re: KBG1977]
#9760411 - 02/08/09 01:45 PM (15 years, 17 days ago) |
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Sand sucks man, I recommend against. Use black soil for your cacti. And rocks in the bottom for drainage of course.
FH
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Prof. Astro
acirebma

Registered: 04/15/08
Posts: 4,084
Last seen: 4 months, 4 hours
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Re: My lil Loph [Re: KBG1977]
#9760416 - 02/08/09 01:46 PM (15 years, 17 days ago) |
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My soil is thick and holds a lot of moisture, I mix a little atop sometimes. I use pretty much any soil I can get cheap, I have used cacti soil and garden grow soil and a brand called Jungle Growth, none have really shown a difference in growth of the cacti to me.
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Why does sand suck Felix?Do most cacti not come from sandy deserts where the soil consists mainly of sand I always use sand in all my cacti pots,because it drains well,and dries quick.I have a few Cacti in pots of black potting soil,and the soil stays constantly wet,and soggy,and dries in triple the time it takes a sandy mixture to dry.I guess we all have our preferences on how we grow things,abut I'm sticking to my good old Florida sand,and the best part about it is it's free
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lqdtrance
Hunter




Registered: 04/12/08
Posts: 2,373
Loc: NY
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Re: My lil Loph [Re: KBG1977]
#9760732 - 02/08/09 02:47 PM (15 years, 17 days ago) |
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Thanks guys  Yeah Felix, I would graft but I am not that good at it and I am not going to waste my one and only Loph trying it out.  I will re-pot it again. I will use mostly sand and some compost with some pebbles.  Do they really grow this slow? I hardly notice any growth at all. Also, they don't like as much sun as trichs right? So dont place it out in direct sun? This will be my first summer with it.
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jds


Registered: 10/06/08
Posts: 3,083
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They can grow about 1cm per year with lots of sun. Yeah, they need way less sun than trich's.
-------------------- “No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride...and if it occasionally gets a little heavier than what you had in mind, well...maybe chalk it off to forced conscious expansion: Tune in, freak out, get beaten.” ― Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Actually I leave my Loph's in full sun,and they love it.Last year the Hi's were 89 to 95 degrees everyday during the summer,and my Loph's were put in full sun,and it didn't phase them.But since yours is so small,I don't think it would probably be a wise idea to do so
Edited by KBG1977 (02/08/09 02:52 PM)
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lqdtrance
Hunter




Registered: 04/12/08
Posts: 2,373
Loc: NY
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Re: My lil Loph [Re: KBG1977]
#9760762 - 02/08/09 02:55 PM (15 years, 17 days ago) |
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Gotcha. I need to figure out a screen to put over it as it will be outside with the rest of my plants. There is optimum sun here since I have a field. I just figured it wasn't growing much because it was winter and it's not getting all that sun.
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felixhigh
Scientist



Registered: 06/24/01
Posts: 7,557
Loc: Ly
Last seen: 2 months, 3 days
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Re: My lil Loph [Re: KBG1977]
#9760794 - 02/08/09 03:02 PM (15 years, 17 days ago) |
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Quote:
KBG1977 said: Why does sand suck Felix?Do most cacti not come from sandy deserts where the soil consists mainly of sand I always use sand in all my cacti pots,because it drains well,and dries quick.I have a few Cacti in pots of black potting soil,and the soil stays constantly wet,and soggy,and dries in triple the time it takes a sandy mixture to dry.I guess we all have our preferences on how we grow things,abut I'm sticking to my good old Florida sand,and the best part about it is it's free
Not all cacti are from the desert, and even those are likely to grow on limestone or such (Lophophoras). Trichs grow in places with lots of green in case you didn´t know.
Anyways, my point really is - IF I can give my cactus a better substrate than it´s natural one, why not? Its a myth that cacti don´t need nutrients, they will get pumped up if you give them good soil, otherwise they´ll stay there barely surviving maybe even shrinking.
FH
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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I got you man,and I knew that Trichocereus grew in South America where the soil is really fertile.I just find that a pure soil mix doesn't work for me living in Florida.it rains a lot here,and I need a mix that dries really well,so my cacti don't rot,but having indoor cacti,I could get away using an all soil mix,because I can regulate the watering.Also,I always fertilize my cacti once a month,because like you said Cacti do need nutrients,and will grow a hell of a lot better than ones that don't get any
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Cactusdan
Patecatl



Registered: 10/11/07
Posts: 7,024
Loc: Oregon
Last seen: 3 years, 3 months
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Re: My lil Loph [Re: KBG1977]
#9761507 - 02/08/09 05:13 PM (15 years, 17 days ago) |
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I find my plants I have in store bought cacti soil are growing far superior to the cacti I have chilling in my backyard back in Florida, of course those are straight in the ground with only the soil they came rooted in as a nute base. My Cereus, Myrtles, and Toothpick seem to grow but not as dramatically as I have seen the ones I have with me in GA that are potted.
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