I can totally understand the confusion!! I actually started out looking for that form of DE, but could only find the powder format first. Most of my plants seem to retain the DE rather well. I have a few older cacti where I have added more to the soil (below a top layer of scoria) when I water, and because of the small size it sinks into the soil with successive waterings. In my organic mixes, the powdered DE stays much easier, and acts as a soil dryness indicator for me as well. I've always been afraid of handling pesticides, especially around rarer species. Stapeliads that maintain a "jumping stem" growth form in culture need finer soils a lot of the time. For instance, I recently purchased a Stapelianthus madagascariensis that needs fine soil around the fine, small roots it grows at its various rooting points. Typical large particle gritty soils will dry out its roots and kill it. In my opinion, the trick to having a good finer gritty mix is maintaining a diverse particle size range. For instance, the finer mix version I use still has 60-80 percent larger particle sizes that are traditionally found in gritty mixes. The fatter Pseudolithos species arent that picky about growing media in my experience. As long as 70-80% of the media is porous lava material of some kind, the rest can be almost anything that isn't too rich or wet. I have used finer inorganics, DE, coir, and even mechanically minced/small particle sphagnum peat moss, and the only rot I have encountered so far has been from errant sprinkler water kicking normal topsoil mud onto a part of one of my cubiformis plants, but that was it. And the main body of that plant was unharmed and continues to thrive in ~40% fine, gritty soil. However, I do live in Florida, which has the highest average UV index in the US as well intense heat and humidity for 6 or 8 months out of the year, compared to most other US states. For instance, it consistently hits 90 to 100 here with 100% humidity from May to September. The more south you go in FL, the larger this range gets. In my hometown 150 miles further south, it's very hot and humid from about March to the end of September. I also live in an area with great wind exposure and by a lake, so I have a constant humid breeze. As such, I haven't had a problem with drying out due to clogged soil pores or lower levels of absorbent material, but rotting due to standing water in fine mix has been a concern of mine. However, maintaining a diverse particle size range helps alleviate this problem by maintaining excellent drainage.

Fannv -- Welcome to the world of Cacti and Succulent growing.. There is alot to read here and in the beginning, information might be overwhelming. Take some time to answer some questions, and read through these links that might help you to your quest. 1) What is your region/zone? 2) Does your pots have holes? 3) Do you grow them indoors? Windows? Which direction the window is facing? http://saveyoursucculents.tumblr.com/post/109107889346/id-intended-to-put-a-bit-more-polish-on-this-but http://saveyoursucculents.tumblr.com/tagged/beginner I've recently also written on another newbie's post on the soil to use. You can read more here... http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3532899/two-ids?n=72 Off the bat, regular garden soil are not fine in the long run, and until you can amend and change the mix, it's best you not water them and make sure the soil is completely dry before you add any more moisture. The first 2 plants looks like a Sedum or Sedeveria of some sort.. The last plant I think is a gasteraloe.. All of them need very well draining soil..

My crassula Buddha's temple is turning yellow! I received the plant on 20th March 2016. It was planted in a planter without watering. I ve just stared watering the plant on Sunday 28th 2016 Will it gonna die ? T^T Are there any way to help the plant? Thanks

Hello! That first one appears to me as a Sempervivum; not sure what kind. It looks as if it has some sort of disease, but I am not well versed in succulent diseases, so I can't really help you there. That soil for both of those plants is what worries me. Succulents do not like a lot of moisture. Even mixes sold a 'succulent soil' are notorious for killing succulents simply because they hold in a lot of water and quickly rot the roots. What I would do is repot both plants, taking off as much old soil as possible, and repotting it in a mix of 60% perlite and 40% succulent mix that you can just buy at the store. While you are repotting, I would also cut off any diseased portions, to make sure it doesn't spread. ~palmsandsnow