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New Succulent Garden planned, advice pls

20 years ago

I have a whole heap of different kinds of succulents. I was thinking about making a square garden that would sit around the base of the clothes line, about 3/4 of a metre square or so and using bricks as the edge about two bricks high to aid in drainage. I was just wondering though, what would be the ideal mixture to put the succulents into??? At the moment it's good old potting mix, but I don't think that will do the job now.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers, Mel...

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Comments (6)

anthirum
20 years ago
They seem to grow in any soil, but like you mentioned the best one (especially in your climate) is one that drains the best. Sun, drainage and warmth is all they really need.
Anthirum
Spearboy
20 years ago
Thanks for asking that question as I was about to post the same lol.

I have reasonably well drained soil in an area and want to plant some cacti etc.

It is full sun but wondering if I should excavate a little soil, and put some sand or something in as the soil?

Paul
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cheery_mel
Original Author
20 years ago
Paul.
I did manage to find a good recipe for growing Cactus and Succulents.
It was 4 handful's of compost to 1 handful of grit to 1 handful of sharp sand.
I will most likely give that a go.
It was also recommended to add some slow release fertiliser.
Good luck, Mel...
cactus_kev
20 years ago
I have started to build a small garden(2m x 1m) mainly for cacti and a few succulents that I want to plant out .I have basically excavated a hole and filled it with a mixture similar to that which I use in my pots .In the hole I have thrown some large pieces of rock and gravel 200mm deep then filled with my mix ( 1/4 composted cowmanure ,1/4river sand ,1/4 composted soil and 1/4 fine crushed limestone.
I have placed a border of stone and am building the soil up to a raised bed with layers of more stone and mix to make a tiered garden .The garden is up behind a wall aprox.1meter high which has been backfilled and has slotted ag-pipe drainage behind it.I have to choose plants which will stand tropical rain ,hence the garden raised bed and well drained mix to compensate.I will be using some Echinopsis ,Trichocereus and cereus and a gymno or two as these seem to be able to handle the moisture.This is a trial so I will be using plants that I have plenty of ,just in case.
A covering of crushed stone will be spread around over the top soil to finish it off.
Dave61
20 years ago
Hi Mel
All I use is a mix of half garden mix from the local nusery and 1/2 coarse sand for a raised bed. But I guess this depends on your local nursery. The garden mix I get here seems to be sandy loam wth some composted material mixed in. You may need to add some gravel for drainage in tropical Queensland.
Regards Dave 61
Spearboy
20 years ago
Thanks for the tips all.

Paul

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