The fact that cacti are considered to be particularly easy to care for is primarily due to the fact that they hardly need to be watered compared to conventional potted plants. Infrequent watering also means that the cacti have their complete need for nutrients and Cover liquid solely over the earth for a relatively long period of time can. And this is exactly where the greatest challenge in the production of your own cactus soil lies.
Criteria for good cactus soil
First of all, it should be noted that most cacti are real survivors, which can also thrive in normal potting soil if necessary. But if the well-being of your cacti is really important to you, you should rather use special cactus soil that is the best possible tailored to the needs of this fascinating plant genus in general and the needs of the relevant cactus species in particular is. One of the general criteria that make up good cactus soil is that the soil is air-permeable and Can store as much moisture as possible without forming waterlogging, becoming muddy or completely drying out to harden. It is also important that the earth is very rich in nutrients. So that a cactus has nutrients
can absorb and process at all, the pH value of its soil has to be right. As a result, pH is also one of the most important points to consider when buying and making cactus soil. Because although cacti tend to like slightly acidic soils per se, the same pH value can be too high for one cactus species and too low for another.Tip: Since the pH value of the cactus soil is of almost eminent importance, you should first check it out Check a suitable analyzer or appropriate test strip before using a cactus put in.
Components of cactus soil
Probably the most important component of any good cactus soil is nutrient-rich humus, which should have been stored for a long time and must not be too wet under any circumstances. In addition, your cactus soil should contain loam or clay that is as crumbly, relatively dry and non-sticky as possible. The reason for the loam or clay is that it is naturally slightly acidic. Incidentally, so-called expanded clay is particularly suitable. In addition, cactus soil should be enriched with coarse-grained sand. If you want to mix the cactus soil yourself,
Tip: Experts recommend using special quartz sand, as this is particularly coarse-grained and hardly produces any dust.
Arguments against peat
The fact that environmentalists, of all people, are against the use of peat may come as a surprise at first sight. After all, it is a purely natural substance that is biodegradable and therefore should not pose a burden to the environment. However, it should be remembered that when peat is extracted, entire bog areas are completely drained and thus destroyed forever. In fact, experts assume that in a few years at least there will be none at all natural bogs will give more, provided that the peat extraction in its current form is unrestricted will continue to be operated. To make matters worse, the moors increasingly release climate-damaging carbon dioxide after they have been drained.
Environmentally friendly alternatives to peat
In the form of coconut fibers and so-called xylitol there are now two consistently convincing alternatives to peat, which you should not use for purely ecological reasons when making your own cactus soil want. One of the arguments in favor of coconut fiber is that it is clearly superior to peat when it comes to storing liquid.
An extremely high content of humic acid, which is at least equal to the humic acid content of peat, speaks in favor of xylitol. In addition, xylitol keeps the pH of the earth low. Furthermore, thanks to its large pore volume, xylitol proves to be unusually structurally stable.
List of ingredients for your own cactus soil
- about one to two thirds of well-decomposed humus
- up to a third of crumbly clay or loam (preferably expanded clay)
- per 5 l of soil a good 50 to 150 g of coarse-grained sand with a low proportion of lime (preferably quartz sand)
- about a third of xylitol and / or coconut fibers (if necessary also peat)
Mixing the ingredients
So that the ingredients of your cactus soil are perfectly mixed with one another, it is advisable to put them in small quantities on a foil and then mix them well by hand. However, when mixing, you have to make sure that the clay or loam does not get too crumbly. The peat or coconut fibers or xylitol, on the other hand, can be crumbled into small pieces. It should be noted that coconut fibers should first be soaked in clear water so that they can be processed better. In addition, the fibers gain a lot in volume in connection with water. However, the fibers must not be too wet when they are mixed with the other ingredients. Furthermore, it is advisable to let the cactus soil stand for a few days and mix it well before you plant your cacti in it.
frequently asked Questions
Why do some people add rhododendron soil to their cactus soil?
Since rhododendron soil has a significantly lower pH value compared to conventional potting soil, it is ideal for increasing the acidity of the cactus soil.
Can I use cheap cactus soil as the basis for my own soil?
In itself, it is a good idea to use commercially available cactus soil as a kind of base and then "refine" it specifically for your own cacti. However, cheap no-name products are strongly discouraged as they are mostly of inferior quality and often contain harmful substances.
Can I add compost to my cactus soil?
Basically nothing speaks against adding compost, as long as the compost is ripe and harmonizes with the other constituents of the earth in terms of its pH value.