How to choose soil for succulents
Succulents are a separate group of plants, in the tissues of which moisture accumulates. The soil for succulents should pass water well, since the root system of these plants does not tolerate waterlogging.
Succulents include, for example:
- aloe;
- crassula;
- zamioculcas;
- cacti.
There are over 70 plant species in the succulent group. In nature, they grow in southern countries with hot and arid climates. The soil in these regions is very poor, it has very few nutrients: nitrogen and phosphorus. The soil contains a large amount of minerals such as:
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- potassium.
Succulents are found all over the world, from South Africa to India to Sudan, so the soil composition for different succulents must also be different.
Soil mix for deciduous succulents
In order to grow Crassula, or as it is also called - "money tree", you need to pick up a loamy substrate.
The proportion of clay in such a soil mixture should not exceed 15% so that the substrate passes moisture well.
Broken brick and coarse volcanic rock are added to the clay for additional water drainage. The main part of the substrate is usually low-lying peat or leafy ground. In such a soil, a deciduous succulent sapling will grow well.
Potting soil mix for cacti and herbaceous succulents
Potting soil for cacti and herbaceous succulents should be light. The basis for the substrate is coarse river sand.
It is impossible to use construction sand as a basis for the substrate. Over time, from frequent watering, such sand cakes and loses the ability to pass water.
Sift river sand through a sieve before adding to the soil mixture. Use the coarse fraction.
An equal part of garden perlite or vermiculite is added to the sand of the coarse fraction. The composition of the substrate also includes pebbles and gypsum, which serve for better water drainage.
In a light substrate, plants root well, so a money tree or other deciduous succulent can be planted in such a soil mixture for a week for rooting. Then the plant is transplanted into a heavy substrate.
In order for the roots of the succulent not to rot from an excess of water in the winter, transplant it for the winter in a pot filled with a mixture of a heavy and light substrate in equal proportions. Water the plant shallowly to avoid stagnant water.