DIY SUCCULENT SOIL MIX & what to look for in pre-made mixes
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
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The right succulent soil can help eliminate common struggles like overwatering, rot, and pests. We'll teach you what components succulents like in soil, how to make your own DIY soil mix, and what to look for in a store-bought mix.
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Struggled with succulents and not known what the problem was? The answer could be in the soil.
Succulents need different soil from most plants in order to really thrive. Indoors or out, there are a lot of factors that determine the right soil for healthy, beautiful plants. Use the wrong type of soil and you'll find yourself endlessly troubleshooting care issues.
Soil is made up of organic and mineral components. In this context, organic refers to things that were once alive. Minerals, however, are natural, inorganic substances (not derived from living organisms).
The right ratio of organic to mineral material will support growth and prevent rot. It will also allow you to water your succulents deeply, but infrequently. The mineral content can range from 40%-80% by volume depending on environmental conditions and the varieties being grown.
For indoor growing, we recommend a gritty, well-draining soil that is about 2/3 mineral grit by volume. Pay attention to the amount of time it takes the soil to dry after a thorough drenching and adjust the mineral to organic ratio as necessary.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:38 - Drainage is Key
01:13 - Organic vs Non-Organic Matter
02:34 - DIY Succulent Soil Recipe
04:05 - Non-Organic Ingredient Options
05:35 - Organic Ingredient Options
06:37 - Soil Ingredients to Avoid
07:59 - Adjusting for Climate
09:03 - Adjusting for Plant Type
10:29 - Picking and Amending a Store-Bought Mix
12:45 - Bonsai Jack Soil
13:46 - Conclusion
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Perlite comes with a lot of fine, abrasive dust that is easy to inhale, and can cause problems such as silicosis. Whenever you’re handling it, use a respirator, or at least a dust mask.
Thanks so much for the advice!! I'll be more careful when I handle it
Vermiculite is even worse for dust
I hate perlite, I have to steer people away from it all the time when finding additives for their dracenaes. It's a good source of fluoride which can cause fluoride burn in fluoride sensitive plants.
@@ryansabstractart3518 I didn't know that. Thank you!
Thank you! I was having trouble breathing actually
Note that the more grit you use for your plant, the more fertilizer you generally need for it.
I love how clear and thorough you are when teaching and explaining in your videos 👍🏼
Watching this on 11/4 at 5:30 a.m. pacific time because I can't deal with reality. Thank you for taking my mind off of things for 15 minutes. And I second the comment "Bonsai Jack or go home."
Happy to provide some distraction! And yay! Glad you're also a Bonsai Jack fan!
I've just got into succulents and have a few babies that came in 1/1/2 inch pots so I'm checking them everyday and love to see that they've grown in a few weeks. I loved your instructions about making the proper soil mixture: now I have to check the bag of pre-made cactus soil I got at a our good local nursery and hope it measures up. I'm in NH so we'll have plenty of sun for the next 5 months, then we get to a northern NE winter; evening at 3 pm. Crossing that bridge later.
Thanks also to Abbas who notes the more grit, the more fertilizer.
This is THE BEST soil mix video I've seen. And I've watched tons. I've watched this video about 3 times already just to compare what you suggest to what others suggest, and you make it so simple and affordable too. Chicken grit is super affordable! And the ratio breakdown is so easy to understand.
Also, side question: what is the name of the succulent behind you, on your right, the small one that stands up straight (small cream-colored pot, right hand side in front of the large pot)? I bought a similar one at the grocery store, but it didn't have a name and I wasn't sure if it was etiolated or if that's how it's supposed to look. Thanks!
Oh thank you so much for the kind words and we're so glad the video was useful! The stemmed succulent in the cream pot is Crassula Ivory Towers: mtncr.co/towers
@@Mountaincrestgardens Thank you!! 🤗
Thanks so much for this video. I have been using orchid soil mix and adding perlite to it and adding granite as a top dressing. As they are in an east facing window they are doing pretty well with watering every 2 to 3 weeks. So far no problems but will be changing my soil for future plants.
Thank you so much for this upload!! Exactly what I needed to know. You’re so knowledgeable, well spoken, and you break everything down so simply and quickly. So refreshing after filtering through all the novice “experts” out there. Thank you again for this channel. I’ll def be subscribing 🥰
Oh thank you so much!
I’ve been searching for these answers about soil for so long. All the best info in just one video
Hooray, glad it was useful!
This was so much fun to watch, thank you!! I live in Minnesota and have recently fallen in love with succulents. I learned a lot watching this video (dang, I have made some mistakes with my soil but intend to fix that.) and look forward to more. Thank you, Annie!
Oh thank you, Therese! Growing succulents in Minnesota is no small feat!
I'm just getting started on my succulent journey, but I'm loving it! I got some cool planters for Christmas so I'm looking to expand my collection. Your videos are awesome!
Thank you so much! And what fantastic gifts to receive ;)
How is it going?
Thank you 😊 I really enjoyed this very informative tutorial. I believe you have given my succulents a fighting chance. Just would like to add that the way you delivered the information was very professional and concise.
Thank you so much and we're so glad it was useful!
I absolutely love your well organized presentation and your knowledge of the various products is really impressive. Thanks so much for sharing.
You are so welcome and glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for going over the part about which ingredients in ready made succulent potting mix to avoid and how to test the mix to see how long it takes to dry out. I had no idea the one I currently use is making some of my succulent propagations too wet, which is why some of them are rotting...
So glad it was helpful!
Just started gardening and after lot of search about succulents care, found your vdo. So we'll explained: simple but comprehensive! Great job.
Thank you. Ive been trying to get clarity on this through many videos. This is by far the best video. So very well done !!!
Thank you and so glad it was helpful!
Darn, i wish I saw this video yesterday. My garden shop didnt have coarse sand so I ended up buying a bag of perlite for $8! I wish i knew to head to the hardware store instead. Womp womp. Well at least i know now and won’t have to cover my succs or bring indoors when it rains.
I'd go for a pumice over a coarse sand any day. But either or will work, so if you done gine the coarse sand, go for the pumice!
I really like her. She’s an amazing teacher. I had to subscribe. ❤
Aw thank you!
Loved this video. I’ve been making my own and your tips will help me make some slight changes to my recipe. All my succulents are outdoors until winter. Then they come into the garage. I have pots and an in ground garden. It’s been a rough summer for my in ground succulents due to the Texas heat and drought.
So glad it was helpful and all the best to you and your plants in the hot, dry summer!
Thank you for the valuable information. I have been through lots of videos regarding succulent soil mixes and found yours's the best. With what I had learnt from you, I subscribed so as not to miss out on any new information 😄
So nice of you and glad it was helpful!
Annie
Now i easily Understand what was more important to create my soilmix what succulent need
New subscriber. I started loving succulents and beginning to be my hobby.Just planted my Ist succulents yesterday. Lots of mistakes made, starting with the soil I used ( cactus mix with no perlite) .Hoping they will survive. If not , I'll start all over again , using your mixture. Trial and error. I live in South Texas ,very hot summer and very humid. I bought my succulents at Lowe's. I will definitely order succulents from Mountain Crest, really good informations. Thank you.
Welcome to the world of succulents! And I love your attitude!
Thank you I live on beach and was I got this ! Went to landscaping to get right sand. And other ingredients
Thank you for a great, well explained video. I loved it - have subscribed.
Very helpful. I'm in zone 5 WY and only plant outside in the WY dirt, and only buy cold hardy succulents that will survive. Most of my plants have come from Mountain Crest and they love it here.
Love it! When you find what works, stick with it!
Thanks for all the information which is so well presented. I love your plants and have spent a fortune on them. I certainly want to keep them happy and this video helped so much.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video. Thank you so much for making it!
Glad you liked it!
I was watching this to mix my own soil only to get to the end where you say you love the mix I already bought specifically for my Lithops (and love!). Good to know I picked something good!
You did! Bonsai Jack's is the best for cacti and mesembs like Lithops!
I never took care of a succulent before but I'm trying to save a dying succulent from the store. I have tons of coir from my indoor plants and my front yard is all rock and sand!( I live in the desert) I'm going to try sanitizing some of front yard and mix it with some coir and see what happens, before going store bought. 🤷🏾♀️ glad I saw this!
Omg I love you. I needed this channel and your personality in my life today. Subbed
Yay! Thank you!
Annie
What a great video! Thanks!
Excellent information, very helpful, thank you.
Thank u for such a complete video .I wantef to grow succulent from a long time as mu farmers market sells very nice seedlings which I really wanted to buy .
Thank you for this video! I'm new to plants, so this really helps
Glad it was helpful!
That was really educational. Thank you so much
Glad it was helpful!
I am SO glad I found your video!! The Uni Gro Cactus Mix is the exact one I bought and I noticed it was SO soggy even though I ammended it with perlite!! Thank you for all your tips!
So glad we could help! It is so frustrating to us too that these rich, moisture-holding soil are being marketed as succulent and cactus mixes.
Love your videos. So very informative :)
Thank you! Your video has helped me to better appreciate how to water and that it's okay for the water to quickly drain. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping to educate me!!. I can't wait to buy Bonsai Jack!
So glad it was helpful! And enjoy that Bonsai Jack--it is SUPER well-draining :)
Very helpful information. Thank You.
Glad it was helpful!
I recently received my first order of succulents from Mountain Crest Gardens which led me to your video. Your energy is so positive and motivating. I have chickens and an abundance of chicken grit. I will amend my soil before repotting my new arrivals. Everything I ordered from Mountain Crest looks great with the exception of the String of turtles. The turtles look very pale. This morning I moved them closer to the window. This evening I plan to repot the turtles and string of pearls using amended soil. Thanks for sharing.
Oh thank you so much! And you did the exact right thing for your Turtles. They can go pale in a dark box during shipping, but will color right back up as they re-acclimate to sun. Enjoy!
I can only find Chicken Grit with probiotics in it. Will that hurt my succulents?
Would bird grit do the same? I suppose they are similar if not the same?
I don’t even know who this lady is but because of her positive vibe and love for succulents my broke self went on their website and ordered Hardy succulents. I spent 50 bucks but this lady made me do it LOL. Keep up the great work lady. I’m watching ecstatically!
Yay! You're going to love hardy succulents! They're the resilient landscaping plant we all deserve. Enjoy!
Annie
@@Mountaincrestgardens thank you! I can’t wait to get it!!
Hello Mountain Crest Gardening, I have recently grown interests into succulents. And watching your videos definitely gave me some ideas and I enjoy watching your contents. Greetings from Italy.
Grazie!
Prego! 😍😁
Tha k yoh Mojntain Crast Gardens for this fine explanatip
Awesome, thank you
Very clear, concise and thorough. Very informative and pleasant voice.
Thank you kindly!
Very Informative! I started using Bonsai Jack gritty mix and Superfly Bonsai which seems to work well. My succulents love them both! It has been hit or miss with other brands of the less gritty soils, though I keep them around for succulent cuttings that I’m trying to grow.
That's a very good point! And I think not obvious to succulent beginners: cuttings totally appreciate a soil with more organic matter.
This is amazing info, thanks for sharing! 💜
You are so welcome!
Well done! I'm on my way, just purchased 20 little succulents
EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL VIDEO!!!!
Thank you so much!
Thank you much! Beautiful successes, too!
Thank you!
Great video as always. I have to be so careful growing succulents in my type of climate. I need to add lots and lots of drainage material lol. I'm in central Florida zone 9b. My soil stay wet for so long if I don't have enough drainage material in there. Thanks Anne 😁 Your always such a pleasure to watch💗 I just couldn't help myself and ordered a ton of new plants these past few weeks lol I love Mountain Crest Gardens ❤
Thanks so much, Stacey, and so glad to hear you're loving our plants! I always say anyone who can grow succulents in Florida humidity has really figured out advanced succulent care.
@@annieschreck7938 Thank you so much Anne💗 That means the world to me coming from someone like yourself😁 I'll tell ya, it wasnt easy in the beginning.. like at all lol. But after many yrs of trial and error, lots of patience, learning and consistency and never giving up, I maintain a pretty big collection both indoors and out. I love growing and collecting all kinds of plants. It's so peaceful being one with mother nature and all she has to offer us. There are so many possibilities right at he tips of our very fingers 🌱
Excellent video! Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
"mock planting" such a good idea. I watched several youtube about repotting cactus, but I wish I watched this before repotting my cactus, it is getting yellowish even though I was not overwatering. I used the commercial cactus soil I got in a garden centre, but I should have mixed much more grits, not just dressing on surface. Everything explained so clearly.
Thank you and glad it was helpful!
SO helpful, thank you! I'll use what I learned right away!
Happy to be of service! We keep looking for things that our customers and the succulent community might be interested in learning about, so let us know if there are any other video topics you'd be interested in.
@@Mountaincrestgardens thanks. I'd be interested to know if/how to fertilize? How fast do succulents grow ordinarily? Mine hardly grow at all.
Great info! Thank you!
You're welcome!
Hi all. I have been a cannabis grower since my wife came down with MS. Started growing with Fox Farm Happy Frog (potting soil) mixed with perlite at about 75\25 mix. Moved to Coco Coir mixed 70\30 with perlite. When I discovered MCG and began buying their plants (and now own MANY) I changed my mix to 60\40 (still coco perlite mix). Now this information here says 2 parts perlite to 1 of coco (all I use for my indoor plants now). I will give that a try. Thank you!
Thank you for this info my succulents Def need more grit. I will take care of it in the morning.
THE best video on succulent soil, and I'veseen alot! So well organized and explained. So many others assume you know what all these terms mean. I am fairly new to gardening and also new to succulents. I had so many "ah ha" moments watching this. Although I've had success, I haven't had any luck with a Tiger Jaw inside on my only windowsill (north). I think maybe I was overwatering, as they rot from the base. Might try again using my Jacks Gritty mix (I did that right.😉). Thank you so much for your educational videos. Love them and have subscribed. Now, I'm going to watch this video again.
Ah thank you so much for your kind words, Lisa! And we're so glad the video was helpful. All the best to you and your Tiger Jaws!
What a wealth of knowledge!!! Thank you, thank you. I live in SE GA and sometimes it will rain for days and I stand at the window watching my little succulents struggle to live in the saturated soil. I am determined to try the chicken grit. I do hope it works.....
Thank you so much, Pamela! Chicken grit is my favorite of the lesser known grits :) I'd add that many of our succulent friends in rainy climates have found that raised beds and mounded berms kept their succulents from drowning. Best of luck to you and your succulents!
Very informative. Thank you.
I'm so glad it was helpful!
Thank you! Very informative!!
You are so welcome, Louise!
So glad I found this video. I've killed a few succulents in the past and that made me stay away from them. Now I know it's because of too much organic matter. I'll give it another shot!
Oh I'm so glad it was useful! Rooting for you on the next ones!
EB Stone Cactus and Succulent Mix is great!
New subscriber
Really great video!! I wished i could of found this video before I killed my succulent 😞 I’ll try again this year and this time I’ll be making my own potting mix thanks to this video!
Oh I'm so glad to hear that! Yes, jump right back on that horse with your great drainage, bright light, and your infrequent watering. You got this!
Comprehensive educational review. 👌
Thanks so much!
I love your videos they're crazy informative and they're crazy simple I'm getting ready to go out and buy a bunch of things for early spring to help my succulents take off I just began about 2 years ago loving these little green creatures and I have went forward ever since I'm very very amused at the different soils and the different ways that CZcamsrs do it but you seem to be very knowledgeable thank you for sharing this with us this means a lot to me I'm going out and I'm going to listen to what you said about the soil and I will check back with you in about 90 days
Thank you so much and glad the videos are useful! Happy growing this spring!
I am an artist here in Louisville Kentucky and I primarily do driftwood art I also am a woodcraftsman that has been reclaiming old dilapidated barns for over 40 years and making art out of them I incorporate succulents and air plants in with about 50% of my driftwood art I would love to send you some photos if you could privately give me an email address of your company I would like some input as far as properly maintaining these live art pieces if possible I am very sure that you are a extremely busy person and that's a good thing. Hope to connect soon and share thank you have a great day.
I mix compost from our garden wirh sand and fine gravel from the river and this works great for my succulents. Compost has many nutrients and microorganisms in it, so it is very good to use in your soil mix. If you do compost your kitchen scraps and have access to sand and fine gravel from a river you can get a good soil mix for free.
Sounds like a gorgeous, effective succulent mix!
Thank you !
Excellent presentation
Now I know why my agave is struuglong
You're so welcome and glad it was useful!
I started using coco coir as I was curious as to if it actually made any noticeable effe ct. So I order a compacted brick and I underestimated the insane volume change! A lot of aeration, stays as an open structure when moist(not drenched), some shrinkage as all organics do but to a much lesser extent, it also made my substrate dry out more evenly. One thing i REALLY love about it is that it distributes the water evenly without me having to individually make sure all the 2 months old seedlings gets water. Now the absolutely best thing about it is how fast they germinate, it dramatically increased my
That's wonderful! And way to use scientific observation and really pay attention to your soil's characteristics! Happy growing!
That was a great educational video. Very logical presentation. Thanks.
You are so welcome!
Thank you!!!! So helpful!!
Fantastic video
Thanks! 😃
Professional video, thank you.
Thank you!
You are a gem!
I see a lot of other channels recommending using the peat moss or cocopeat usually. Also a lot of premixes that are labeled for cacti and succulents seem to have it too.
Great vedio
You are rocking it Anne! Great voice!!!
This is your aunt!
Theresa Croft
Aww thanks, Theresa!
Loved the video, thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm!! I too learned about Bonsai Jacks #111 Gritty mix as I began my new hobby and use it with every planting... which of course always comes from Mountain Crest Gardens! Is there any other place to get good looking, hearty and healthy succulents? Thanks again for showing us and teaching us how its done!
Thanks, Monte, glad you liked it! I'm a big fan of sharing/trading cuttings with friends and neighbors, since succulents propagate and so easily.
I just registered an account with you guys, and I am looking forward to buying some aloes and agaves from you! I'm using this video to help me prep before I buy and get some good soil mixes ready for potting!
Way to do your research! Your plants-to-be are lucky to have you.
Annie
The most helpful and comprehensive vid on succulent soil I've seen. Love that you have a super simple specific (low budget) mix idea but advised on innumerable SPECIFIC substitutions and alternatives depending on climate, budget & involvement AND what they do/don't do. A+!
Oh thank you so much! And so glad it was helpful!
This was super informative, thank you.
Last year I separated out some thriving succulents, repotted them into lovely container arrangements ... and killed nearly all of them.
I'd gifted my mom a lovely arrangement, in an antique glass bowl. She'd guiltily put off telling me it was near-death, thinking it was her fault. 🥺 Little did she know, I'm the botanical angel of death!
I just figured I could figure it out without researching it, first. 🙄 I don't know what I was thinking. So now I know, insufficient drainage/wrong soil. Now I can hopefully save those that've hung onto dear life!
Oh I'm glad it was helpful! I probably learn the most from the plants that I've killed. It makes better plant parents for the next one!
very informative. Thank you
You're very welcome!
Very helpful, thank you 👍
You're so welcome
New subscriber 👋🏽thank you for the info🙂🌱
Welcome!
Very nice tips. Always updated 😂
Nice information ☺️👌👌
Thanks for the information. We received some baby succulents as presents and all we had on hand was potting mix for raising seeds and cuttings, guess that is not ideal soil on this occasion…
Works in a pinch, but yes, ultimately you'll want something with more mineral grit to prevent rot.
Also perlite is not needed, you can use pumice, i have to use a lot because i need well draining soil its rainy season and rained for several days in a row in both morning and afternoon- night.
You saved my succulents!! They have been in “succulent mix” that never looked draining to me but I didn’t know what to do until I watched this vid. Thank you ♡
You are so welcome!
Hello, Thanks for this helpful video. Do I have to sterilize Bonsai Jack for pests before use?
Nope! It's already been sterilized with a Bifenthrin drench and 200F steam
Thank you very useful information. What about the holes on the bottom of a base Many bases don’t have the hole, Are this ok to grow a succulent? What changes do we have to make? Thank you
Great question! Growing succulents in a pot without a drainage hole is more challenging, so I do not recommend it for beginners. It is possible, you just have to be more careful, observant waterer. Only water when the soil is completely dry and the leaves just start to show signs of thirst like limpness or wrinkles. When you water, give it about 1/3 the volume of the pot then leave it to dry out.
4:50 rinse the gravel -many good tips 🌎 lover ❤
Great presentation! 👏👍 Also, where did u get that hanging light behind you? Love it! MJ💜
Thank you! That's from Soltech Solutions--they really make the classiest looking grow lights ;) soltechsolutions.com/
@@Mountaincrestgardens Ty!💜
I'm using soil made of coir and perlite 😃
Love this video. Since you use coir in your succulents can the ones I get from you stay in the same soil for the first few years? When I repot them can I just add more mix that that you showed to the outside?
Good question! As a matter of plant hygiene, it's a god idea to re-pot any plant you purchase from a nursery in fresh soil and a new container.
LOVE Bonsaiiiiii Jack for my lil succies❣️ I do a 1:1ratio with BJGM & organic
Great video. Very informative!
What about charcoal, though?
Nice 👍
I loved this video. I’m still in doubt about differences between different succulents’ needs. Howarthias root systems are so different from crassulas, say. Do we have to be attentive to the individual succulent’s root system? Thanks! Will definitely subscribe...
Thanks so much, Judith! And you make a very good point: looking at roots can give us clues to a plant's health and care needs. In your example, because Haworthia grow such massive, deep roots, they can tolerate longer periods of drought than most Crassula. Haworthia also like a deeper pot.
You might like this series we're doing where we cover care needs specific to each genus: czcams.com/play/PLvVRJjNdQJIVwFJBXkTHP8xrDN2OqkGs4.html
@@annieschreck7938 thanks so much! I will go and check it out. Since I live in a Swiss city, I guess you can’t send me anything, but the information is greatly appreciated! I’ve raised tropical houseplants all my life (I’m 60-something) and succulents are a new fascination. It’s challenging and very different from the greener plant species. Thanks for your lovely video. Judy
Thank you, I took lots of notes. No need to watch another video on this topic.
Ah that's so nice of you to say. Glad it was helpful!