Hi, Diane. I'm afraid I can't do anything about the width of the 'Soil Discussion' thread, but perhaps iVillage can/will fix it. If you scroll down to the green bar at the bottom of this page, you'll see the words 'contact us' in white. If you click on that, then on the drop down menu under 'Nature of Message', you'll find the choice 'Technical Problem With our Site'. Select it and then voice your concern. I'll also tell them the problem, so maybe if more than one voice is heard, they'll respond quickly. I know it must be annoying if you're following the thread. My monitor must be wide enough that it's not annoying, but I did notice it.

I don't presently grow sans, but I have before. I would use the soil I described in that thread, comprised of equal parts of pine or fir bark, Turface, and granite grit (or something close if you find the ingredients hard to come by). I honestly have never found a plant that has not thrived for me in that soil (unless I screwed up something because of an oversight in care, but that would be completely unrelated to soil) You could also use the recipe on the soil thread that's in the first post with a picture. Initially, they will perform almost equally well, but the bark/Turface/grit mix is extremely stable & will outlast the soil (any soil) with a high organic content (peat, coir, chcs, bark) many times over.

If you want to extend the interval between waterings, you could add a small amount of vermiculite (about 5% by volume) and be sure to grow in a pot with non gas permeable sides (plastic, glazed clay, etc.).

Al (who's going to voice his request to iVillage)

Here is a link that might be useful: test

FWIW, I think it is the extra long URL posted by rdak in the fifth post from the bottom that is causing the problem.

Diane, Sansevieria can grow in almost any soil, but for optimum growth and health, a mix like Al's works best. I often use perlite instead of the growers grit, as it lightens the pot, and improves aeration. For epiphytic plants, such as christmas cactus, I also add an additional portion of orchid (fir) bark, and am careful not to overpot.

As for watering, it will vary depending on conditions. Higher light intensity, warmer temps, a more open soil mix, lower humidity, a smaller pot, porous clay pots, and active growing require more frequent watering. Usually, these factors do not always occur together, so you have to weigh all of these, and do what works best for you. I typically reduce watering in the winter for most of my succulents (a few hundred), as they tend to etiolate if I push growth at this time. I water my Sans roughly once a month for the winter. Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus would need more frequent watering at room temps, but if they're not in bloom, I keep them in a cool (about 50F) room, and reduce watering to every few weeks (a little more often for smaller pots).
Good growing to you!
Ray

This soil mix(soiless) seems to unnatural. I bet my hands won't even get dirty if (when) I use it! For me, an upscale potting mix seems more nurturing....but I always love it when water runs thru my pot.When I have to wait and only a few dropscome out the bottom of the pot, I know something is wrong. I am being silly, but is there anything black in this mix. I live in the heartland and up here we thing rich black soil is the best gravy for our growing things!
Diane

I don't get it Tootswise, if only a few drops come out of the bottom of the pot, might that only point to the plant's not needing further amounts and instead is fully watered from the rest.

If in doubt, why not just add more til a rush of water escapes. Then wait for ten minutes....this allows the roots that can use the extra, to take what it will, then you dump the excess.

Sansevieria does well in standard potting mix which drains well enough. it also is not fussy on light or temperature conditions. When we start using special type of soil expecting grand things to happen and when something does happen unexpectedly ......well, it cant be the soil.....can it. .......or can it?

The Christmas Cactus gets along famously with what you can buy at your local garden centre for most any other cactus.
If you wish to make your own; one part peat moss, one part coarse builder's sand, one part vermiculite and throw in some pine bark if you wish. An increase in sand is OK too.

If you feel the pine bark might be too much, put some into a pail of hot water which you allow to sit for one hour, strain that, and use as you see fit as part of the mix.

After reading Al's post(thank you for making it fit the screen btw) I realize that the rich looking potting mixes are probably not what the Dr. ordered for my plants. I do always add more perlite and sometimes sand and a little bark but the mix still looks like it is mostly potting soil. My 2 christmas cacti are in a soil that seems awfully heavy. It seems to dry out quickly so I have the urge to water them a couple of times a week. This just does not seem right to me. They both look OK. One bloomed at thanksgiving for a short time and so far no buds on the second one....and I want a shlum(?) show!

Toots - did you get answers to everything you were wondering about? Still have questions?

Al