Mixing my own potting soil?

Discussion in 'Houseplants' started by JoyfulC, Aug 27, 2009.

  1. JoyfulC

    JoyfulC New Seed

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2009
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Ontario - Canada
    I have some cuttings that could be planted, and I was wondering if, instead of buying bagged potting soil, it would be better to buy the ingredients (peat moss? vermiculite? sand?) and make up my own according to each plant's preference.

    Any advice on what to keep on hand?

    TIA!

    ..Christine..
     
  2. Loading...


  3. Christer Johansson

    Christer Johansson Seedling

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Västerås, Sweden
    Well Christine, it depends of what you are growing. If it is succulents the soil should be very porous...
     
  4. JoyfulC

    JoyfulC New Seed

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2009
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Ontario - Canada
    I guess more what I was asking is what "ingredients" would be good to have on hand for mixing up various soils for various plants? What supplies would be good to keep on hand?

    Usually I just go with bagged potting soil, and so it ends up being a "one-size fits all" situation. I'd like to stock my own ingredients and make up mixes custom to each plant's needs. But I'm not sure what to get.

    ..Christine..
     
  5. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2005
    Messages:
    29,088
    Likes Received:
    6,277
    Location:
    Scotland
    I tend to have two mixes on hand that I use on a regular basis.

    Firstly I have one made up of one part peat moss substitute, one part vermiculite and one part perlite.
    The other is one part peat moss substitute,one part sand and one part garden soil.
    Hope this helps. :stew2:
     

Share This Page