Yes, you can. I have experimented with just grit, or just perlite, grit or perlite, turface and grit...any combination of different ingredients. Many ppl grow in just pumice. Depending on what you would use, watering will be different; for example, grit holds very little water. Turface holds more.

Rina,

Thanks, that's good to know, as I can't find turface, or pumice here. Odd they sell pumice in New Zealand but not in Australia, LOL.

Frank

I can't find pumice easily either. I use perlite that has very similar properties as pumice. Many do not like it since it 'floats' but I do not have problem with it.

Turface is used extensively on golf courses and playfields, maybe you can check that. If using grit alone in hot climate, you may need to water quite more often. And the pots get heavier - if that matters :) Some suggest that it could get too hot in warm climates - but I don't have that experience in colder zone.

Do you fertilize your succulents?

I could only find Turface at an irrigation supply, you could try some of those and see if they carry it or know of it. Also, not sure it would be called the same thing but if so you want the "MVP" Turface - apparently there is more than one kind.

In lieu of perlite, Frank, you might see if anyone down there in the land of Oz carries Growstone or a similar product. It is made from recycled glass that is melted and basically whipped into a foamy consistency. It is much like perlite but a bit heavier so less likely to float away. Also doesn't crush as easily as perlite so somewhat more durable. Imagine could be used instead of pumice though pumice would be stronger yet.

Someone here must have already explained the reason Turface is preferred over bentionite. No?

I think growing in pure grit would lead to a few problems, though it is definitely possible. The one that comes to mind is that you would have to water quite a lot, which may not be a problem if you like watering....

I would at least use some perlite, pumice, growstone, etc. There are some growers on here who forget the Turface completely.

palms

I use smaller amount of turface than 1/3rd. I have quite a few succulents in just a grit+perlite.

Albert

Not sure if there is reason for preference of turface over bentonite, it may be just availability? Never inquired about it, do you use it and if so, where do you buy it? I know that its use is very varied.

Thank you all for your inputs :)

Rina, I'm only thinking of using gritty mix for my indoor Haworthia and Gasteria only. Have been buying a few more Haworthia thanks to that evildelicious Haworthia thread, LOL.

We are having a hot start to autumn, temp constantly around 30C for the past couple of weeks and the fungus gnats are breeding like crazy indoor, so thinking of changing to peatless mix for indoor succulents. For outdoor, I'll keep to C&S mix plus perlite, which I have recently added, before coming to GardenWeb I just use straight C&S mix, LOL. And yes, I do fertilize occasionally with slow-release or liquid fertilizer.

Elucas, thanks for clarifying that, I thought there's just one kind of turface.

Paul, that's another new product I've never heard of, LOL. I'll keep an eye out for it.

Albert, I think I've come across the term bentionite before, isn't that because it is a clumping product, so no good for C&S?

Palms, yes, I imagine I have to water much more often with just grit, but as I intend to use it for indoor succulents only, and with just a few pots, it is not a big problem. That said, I may add other alternative ingredients that are easy to find rather than go searching for a product that's hard to get my hand on.

I did see attapulgite, and diatomite being used in bonsai culture, and both easily available as cat litters, wonder if anyone have any experience using these two products for succulents?

I know that diatomaceous earth is sometimes used as a substitute for Turface. You have to be careful to get the correct kind, which is in granule form. Further than that, though, I do not know what to look for.

Something else popped in my mind that I know you would have down there. Oil absorbent, which you can get from most auto parts places. This is actually what I use, because I cannot get Turface. Again, though, you have to be cautious about what you get, because some products are less than ideal. Make sure you get a product that is pure (or very nearly so) diatomaceous earth, or what I get, which is montmorillonite clay.

Just to give you an idea, here is the product that I use:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/moltan-safety-absorbent-7508/8010064-P

It is not a big bag, but then again, I don't need one. Also, another word of caution. Before you use an absorbent product, soak it for a couple days, and see how it holds up. If it turns all mushy, it won't work.

I buy turface in 50lb bags for just about$20/each. It last for a long time since I don't use too much of it. I would think that bentonite is very similar (?) and would use it if the particles were good size and if it passed freeze & thaw test (or at least soak for few days/week as palms suggested).

Frank

I don't think you should have any problems indoors but probably should fertilize (you do anyway). Non clumping and unscented cat litter is also OK to use, as many do if they can't get turface. I think anything used in bonsai growing should be good. Same goes for oil absorbent (just check product info).

Here is some good info about different substrates: -click here-

Palms, thanks for the info, never would have thought of oil absorbent as a source for gritty mix. Will keep that in mind.

Rina, thanks for reminding me to look for unscented product, LOL, sometimes I will get too excited about finding the product and forget to check important details... And thanks for the link, a good read.

this has been an interesting thread. I've never used gritty mix. I've looked into it but ingredients are difficult to find. Plus I grow outside (zone 9) and am a poor waterer...think Death!

Everybody has their unique growing conditions. Most people on this forum are quite knowledgeable and consider their conditions when making or buying a mix. This thread is great for those needing to tweak a mix that is not working.

But I am wondering about growing in grit. Doesn't the fertilizer pass right through? Seems like waste to me.

Laura

Whole point of using gravely mix is to provide good drainage - just as plants would have in their habitat. Excess water will drain out, but some of it is held by the substrate - how much, it depends on type of it. I would rather 'waste' minute amounts of ferts in fertigating solution than have plant sitting in waterlogged soil. There shouldn't be too much fertilizer applied either, otherwise one would have plants that may not look even close to what they really look like naturally. They are not supposed to be overly fed, too big, growing too fast, almost like on steroids, haha. Most of recommendations are to use 1/2, 1/4 or even 1/8th of recommended dose, depending on frequency. And not everyone is fertilizing succulents, or only once, maybe twice a year. That would be very small amount of fertilizer even with many plants.

You are very right saying that some adjusting is best according to growing conditions. And some products are more difficult to find, or could be expensive if lot is needed. I find perlite everywhere I look, but is much more difficult to get pumice. Bark of suitable size is also difficult to find - so I don't even use it in gritty mix.

I can get straight pumice in bulk here because it's a volcanic area, but you can also buy it online pre-sifted (more money, obviously). I Ike pumice a lot. You can use straight pumice in a fine grain to hold more water, or in a very large grain to hold almost none- just sift to the appropriate size.

If you can get hold of pumice in the appropriate size for your needs, I don't see any reason to mix several ingredients, unless maybe you want weight. Pumice is light, so a tall or top-heavy plant needs a heavy pot or something heavy in the bottom of the pit to prevent it from falling over if your substrate is straight pumice.