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Cacti & Succulents

Seed soil mix

david_pettersson

17 years ago

Hi,

I once read a book which stated that a mineral mix was the best substrate to grow cacti seeds in. I can find perlite, vermiculite and leca (a kind of baked clay balls, about 1 cm in diameter). Can I make a mix of these, smashing the leca to smaller size first?

I have had a lot of problems with damp before and I'm tired of it.

/David

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Comments (5)

tjicken
17 years ago
That is what I have used for a few years, but with the addition of some sand, cat litter (Miss Cat) and garden soil (I sterilise the mix before use, of course). The seedlings grow slower, but I have had much fewer problems with mold etc.
red_sea_me
17 years ago
for me (dry and hot enviro)I use 3/4+ coarse sand and the rest peat moss (I actually have a peat/coir mix now). Put in the oven for 10 min @ 300f to sterilize. I also use a clear cover that is vented to hold some humidity (not too much). Place in a bright window (not direct sun). Have started jungle and desert cacti this way.

-Ethan
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xerophyte NYC
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For seedlings, I like to use plain garden soil mixed 50-50 with fine gravel used in aquariums. Some vermiculite can be mixed in to lighten it up, since it is very dense and heavy. Please, DO NOT USE PEAT if you plan on keeping the seedlings in the same mix for more than 2-3 years.

Smashing the leca may result in very fine clay particles, which may not work well, but I don't know for sure.
david_pettersson
Original Author
17 years ago
I will try to sow half of the seeds in pure vermeculite and save the rest of the seeds. I post you on how it works. I talked to a friend of mine after my post and he had had success doing that.

/David
xerophyte NYC
17 years ago
Vermiculite will work fine, just make sure you transplant the seedlings after a year or so, and give a dilute feed with minor nutrients, and be careful not to let the mix dry out otherwise you can lose it all with one good sneeze!

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