What if you don't give your succulents a better feed and sources to have good growth?
Then I guess you would be facing an irreversible loss!
Succulents need many things to grow - water, sunlight, fertilizers, containers, etc. And the soil is one among these critical things that can make a succulent grow healthy.
Every element needs to be put in a certain quantity and quality. Hence, to sort this out, we need to look closely at where we are lacking and what could be the nearest solution. So without sparing much time,
Let's dive in!
Importance of soil in the healthy growth of a succulent
To start, there are two types of soil - Regular and Perfect soil.
Regular soil is the one that agriculturists use to grow crops and vegetables, while perfect soil is a potting mix containing fertile ingredients like pumice, coconut coir, etc.
Picking out the perfect soil or soil mix can help your succies get the essential nutrients quickly. Be wise, choose right!
Soil Factors
Organic v/s Inorganic
You might feel organic soil is a bit expensive, but the buck spent on organic is worth it as they are free from chemicals. Succulents can indeed fare in worse conditions, and it is not much important for planting them in organic soil. If you want a cost-effective option for your succies, go for non-organic soil. On the contrary, if you're an environment or health freak, choose organic soil.
Porosity v/s Texture
A good soil texture can let the water pass through easily and reach the roots. It can also absorb and hold the water content for a longer duration, which is ideal for succulents. Whereas porosity lets the air quickly pass through and reach the succulent. Since most succulents have their stem filled in the soil, porosity plays a significant role as well. In a nutshell, soft and grainy soil is best suited for succulents.
Minerals v/s Soil
Every soil carries a mix of organic elements and natural minerals. Organic elements hold the water and provide it to the plant's roots, while minerals assist in draining the soil. The content ratio between the two depends on the succulent type you have. Most preferably, grainy soil is needed for a succulent as it has the perfect mix of organic elements and minerals.
Three Main Components of Soil
Nutrients
The needs of a succulent don't end with sun and water; essential nutrients also play a part in their growth and lifespan. There are many ways to provide nutrients to a succulent, but a gardener or planter must know the perfect way to provide nutrients and minerals to the plants. The primary nutrients that a succulent needs are Nitrogen and Phosphorus.
Moisture
Similar to the nutrients, moisture is also quintessential for the growth of a succulent. Succulents keep the moisture stored in their leaves and stems as a reservoir for the future. Every succulent has a decent moisture-holding capacity as a need for its survival. However, there are some exceptions too. So know your plan better!
Anchorage
The basic necessity of the soil is to provide the tightness and let the plant stand erect. In that case, the roots need a grip, and to get it, we need the soil to be perfectly drained. This element creates stability in plants to get stiffness and rigidness to hold a plant and let it grow.
Perfect soil for a succulent
To be honest and precise, there is no perfect soil for a succulent; the ratio makes it perfect. A soil mix is made from different ingredients containing different ratios. If you want to help your succies, try using the correct vessel which can hold enough water to absorb and drain well at the end so that their roots remain healthy. Air, water, and sun are the key ingredients of this mix.
When to repot a succulent?
It is simple!
If your soil is doing well with your plant, skip this step.
As already discussed, succulents need a proper climate with proper soil. Also, the area or location you plant your succulents is essential. You Always repot the newly bought succulents as soon as it reaches your home. The store pot is not an ideal habitat for your succies.
Reasons to pick the perfect soil
Need fast and proper drainage
The succulents need proper drainage for their growth. The soil must quickly absorb the poured water. Ideally, the water should also dry in 24 to 36 hours. To test it, pour the water into the soil and check it after 36 hours by dipping your finger. If the soil is dry, then it is best suited for succulents. On the contrary, if it is still wet, avoid it plant succies.
Protect from rotting
Good soil helps provide physical support to the plant, get a hold on nutrients and minerals and assist in draining out the excess water from them. All these assimilate to one thing - secures the succulent in rotting. It is essential in rainy areas. So always pick the perfect soil to avoid rotting.
Need soil texture triangle
Succulents are not to be grown in any soil. Special soils are available in the market with accurate measurements and quantity. As the name suggests, the texture triangle has three elements - type of soil, climate, and variety of the succulent. Texture triangle also helps in preventing root rotting too.
Nutrients to live
Succulents are a unique kind of plant type that needs extra care during their growth. They don't grow in slushy soil; instead, stiff soil is needed to bind the plant's roots to itself. Peat moss, coconut coir, and bark shreds are the kind of essential nutrients and should not be exposed to a wet climate for long.
Soil for indoor succulents
Picking out perfect soil for indoor plants is essential as they do not get proper water and sunlight. The soil must contain large granular particles, which help drain the water and provide aeration. Further, it requires a separate soil mix where the essential ingredients are: 1 part barks shreds, 1 part surface rock, and 1 part fine granite.
Soil for outdoor succulents
The soil for outdoor succulents is different from the indoor ones. The succulents found in the areas of Utah even prosper in arid and hot summers in a bonsai jack mix soil. The only drawback is to water them repeatedly, so they dry up fast in those areas. The essential ingredients used to make potting soil for outdoor succulents are 1 part coconut coir and 1 part pumice.
Do succulents need special soil?
Succulents and Cacti are dry plants that grow in dry areas and climates. They prefer sand over water and survive primarily on sunlight. They require well-drained soil. If you are a beginner and have used vegetable soil for your succulents, I must already tell you that be ready to throw them in your dustbin as they might have rotten till now. Several soil mixes are available in the markets, which are specially meant to put in succulents; try using them for better growth of your tiny being.
Supplies to grab before making a Soil
A pair of gloves
Measuring cups
Perlite or Pumice
Small shovel
Bucket
Coarse sand
Plastic dustbin
Basic Soil
How to make your own soil?
Potting soil
You can take any potting soil to create your mixture as that would be considered the base of your soil. The brand of soil may vary from user to user; make sure of the variety of succulents to have as the base soil it will be decided over it. The best of them is porous soil.
Coarse Sand or Grit
Coarse sand or porous sand is the perfect soil, and if you don't have one, you need to change it immediately as it can damage your succulent very easily and rapidly. Don't use regular soil from the garden or beach etc.; it will make its growth worse. Use any soil but make use it must have good draining properties.
Minerals and nutrients
Well, everyone is aware of the use of minerals and nutrients to grow a succulent. It's easy to get, but one must know when and how to give these nutritional elements. Following a routine would be the best in their case, making sure you have a fixed time to supply.
Perlite
It is a kind of organic soil that is very light. Try using commercial potting mix along with perlite or pumice. Any of these can work with the basic mixture of soil. It keeps moisture, can bind the soil perfectly, and helps drain the soil very quickly. You can easily find them online or in the market.
Best Soils in the market
Superfly Bonsai Succulent and cactus soil mix
Many planters suggest this soil mix as it is a substrate formula when it comes to outdoor succulents. Further, it helps drain water at a good pace. It comes in an easy-to-handle zip-top bag which has a bulk amount for your succulent. You can put the entire soil at once for better use. This mix might be a bit expensive for you, but trust me, you will get what you want.
Fat Plants San Diego premium Cacti and succulent soil
The soil is excellent with several excellent properties. It is a bag full of nutrients and minerals which has the perfect Ph. balance. It always comes with a mix of cactus succulent soil to have effective growth. The macronutrients it contains are Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with a blend of good fertilizers, which helps your succulent in a happy growth.
Bliss Gardens Organic Succulent and Cactus soil
This soil comes in a one-gallon bag with the perfect list of magical ingredients like peat moss, coconut coir, perlite, etc. It is the best soil for the succulents that grow in dry and hot areas. If you find your climate a bit moist, try adding a bit of perlite, pumice, and sand to it
Sun GRO Horticulture Black Gold Cactus Mix
It is made of cacti which have the properties of growing unique seeds. It requires no additives to blend with the mixture. This soil is lovely and works like magic you're your babies as it has a perfect mix of volcanic pumice, perlite, forest humus, and many more and everything is in the perfect amount.
Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix
This potting soil is the best for beginners as it is entirely organic. Give it a good blend, and it will ultimately help you provide nutrients and start draining out the water quickly. There are several instructions written on the package; read before you apply. The only thing which can upset you is that the mixture bag is a bit small in size.
Bottom Line
People use different soils for different plants, and sometimes they even interchange for the betterment of the plant, but this isn't applicable in the case of succulents. We need to be very calm, patient, and wise before picking out the perfect soil for our babies. You can even make your potting soil, for that matter.
That was the information, guys! We hope you enjoyed the piece of knowledge we shared with you and got what you were looking for. Share your thoughts and reviews in the comment section below, and also let us know what you like the most in this article.
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