vkim,

A gritty mix can be very simple. I use #2 chicken grit and pine bark fines(soil pep) in equal measures. I've been getting the hang of watering needs, and things are growing well.

I would start here: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/2842847/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xxii?n=137

Like i said ive read a fair few articles and forums about soils and mixes, unfortunately i live in remote australia where the weather is great for succulents but im limited to a small hardware store that has only around 5 potting mixes and fertilizers all in pre packed bags with some other limited things like sand and decorative pebbles.. and i mean untill i have a large enough collection for justice to drive 3 hours to the nearest town to get everything i desire in bulk i really need something thats affordable but still good/suitable.

Is there a feed store in the area that would have chicken grit?

The important thing about the article I linked above isn't that you get exactly the same ingredients that he uses. It's understanding the theory behind that type of mix, which is that you want to use components made up of particles of similar size. If you follow the same principles you can use whatever ingredients are available in your area.

No, ive rang a couple landscapers to try find where they get thier materials but they all get them in bulk from the next town. Ive been considering using small pebbles and gravel type stuff from the pet shop but im not sure on that either

You might try the landscape supplier and see if they'll sell smaller quantities to you. You'll want particles in the 3-10mm range.

If you just added 25 new ones, and have some from before, you may want to buy more than just small bags from the pet shop. It is much less expensive. You probably will get many more soon!
Is there a farm supply store/co-op somewhere close to you? You could buy chicken grit in 50lb bags (here in Canada, I buy it for about $10/50lb bag). Maybe they carry perlite in large bags too?
Btw, you said most of them are hardy - are you growing all in pots?

AUSTRALIAN CACTUS & SUCCULENT SUPPLIES PTY LTD

44 Cessnock Road

Sunshine
NSW 2264
Phone: (02) 4973 3778

Also, the Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia Inc. may have come across this question. They are on the internet and have a facebook page.

I mix my cactus soil with perlite. They need to drain well.

Don't trust that gritty mix!!! I use miracle grow potted cactus soil, expanded shale (take that turface!! Inside joke) and a bit of perlite. Gritty mix requires TONS of fertilizers mine dosnt . 3/6 potting soil,2/6 expanded shale 1/6 perlite

Noah

Noah
That is a pretty strong statement!
Did you ever used gritty mix? For how long? What are your results with it?
Nobody is forcing gritty or any other mix on anybody, but majority has very good results using it (including me) and would recommend it if asked. I never fertilized my plants before using it, and since started using it. Still see much healthier plants in it. And mixing different ingredients that will do what is best for drainage is a good idea - you are using something similar adding perlite and shale...did you see anyone here posting "Don't trust spike's mix"?...
Ppl should use whatever they decide to. But if asked for advice they will receive good, while sometimes different mix recommendations. And there are some that grow succulents in bought/bagged mix and they are happy with results.
Everyone is on this forum to gather more/better/new information, and everyone should and is welcomed to share their experience. Including bad experiences - that's how we all learn. There is no need to push "alarm button".
I would suggest that you read your posts before hitting submit button - sometimes you'll realize that what you wrote could be said better...Rina

Yeah all mine are in pots, i have the larger species in huge pots because at some point in my life they will go into the ground. Right now im renting so :( im going to meet with some landscapers this morning to have a look at what they have so i can maybe get what i need through them. And i like what you said about each to thier own with this mixes, i mean i am happy with the results i have atm but the bags of cacti mix is so expensive, and i mean i just got another 25! I cant just fork out for bag after bag of soil. Can someone also give me some info on using straight cacti mix, my mum uses straight mix but she can afford to do that lol. :)

Sorry I guess I went a little over board!! XD sorry about that,that's not the normal me. I just like a little. Ore organic materiel in my soil because it defiantly helps my plants in the hot Texas sun.again sorry you know noman numdan he kinda forced gritty mix in me forgive me rina.

Noah

Noah
You don't need to ask me for 'forgivness', rather you forgive me for sticking my nose in - I really don't want to preach but at the same time I know that you are very enthusiastic (THAT IS GOOD!!!) and you do rush to post. So I hope you take it as an advice. And I realize that you post from the phone - if you could re-read what you type, you'll find out that sometimes your sentences don't make sense because of lack of punctuation. (Spelling is another thing - but I know all about autoCorrect...)
We all know you love your cacti and looks like you are growing them successfully. And it is great to have young ppl here too!

I am sure that soil/potting mix dries up much faster for you than for me in 'cold' Canada. That's why there are recommendations for different ratios of materials in mixes.
Rina

Speaking of cacti...my greenhouse hit 110 last week,well if my thermometer is correct. Luckily the greenhouse has good ventilation.

Noah
Speaking of greenhouse - why do you need one during summer? just wondering what your reasons are.
Rina

I need some help identifying some of my succulents and after some rampage researching i concluded that google lies ALOT! would anyone be able to help me out or point my in the direction of someone that could? i have posted a new forum topic listed as "Identification issues. Please HELP!" but ive had no responses.

vkimber
I posted to your thread to 'bump' it up again...I didn't ID any, just bringing your post to the top again.
Back to soil question - is there beach close by? You could get some gravel from the beach, use kitchen sieve to sift dust out, rinse very well what remains in the sieve (to get salt residue out) and use rinsed gravel in your mix.
Just an idea...
xerophytenyc gave you good tip too - get some perlite. If you use 35-40% of the sifted gravel, 35-40% perlite and remainder soil, you could have very inexpensive and better draining mix.
Rina

When i was talking to the landscapers they can get me some gravel when they order thiers so i could do that

That's good then, as long as it is small enough to be used in the mix.
I was just trying to come up with something to cost you very little or nothing...Rina

For soil, should i use potting mix or just like dirt, ive been sticking to potting mix because my dirt options arent great, i can get either rich top soil or i can get like a clay type mix which retains alot of water :/

vkimber

use normal potting mix with the fine stuff sieved out mix with perlite(available in 100 litre bags through hardwhare stores,rural stores like Norco or Elders)and gravel,called cracker or metal dust( often used as road base on the east coast,NSW)The c&s potting mixes sold here in OZ seem to be overpriced for a mainly sand mix,although osmocote had more bark

Yeah i have been using osmocote cacti and succulent mix and so far i have no problems, i havent watered half of my newbies yet as they were in pots with no drain holes (like teapots and vases) and when i repotted them they all had wet feet so im letting them all recover for a week before i get them into the routine. So far im planning on getting some cracker dust from the landscapers, the hardware store has large enough bags of perlite for a decent price and then remainder of the mix will be regular potting mix. Does anyone reccomend using a plant food mix to top up nutrients between seasons? The hardware store has succulent food packets for a reasonable price so if its worth it i may invest in that to boost them when needed between seasons?