Miracle Gro cactus soil is ruining all of my plants!
My plants are having problems left and right and I just figured out that it's only the ones in Miracle Gro cactus soil. Please recommend a better soil option please. I've added perlite to new cactus soil but my plants are still going downhill after repotting. (I've cut off bad roots, neem oil, peroxide, repotted, ect). I'm in an area with limited options and also very little funds so no expensive recommendations plz. Coarse sand is not available here.
Also, how do you get rid of RHIZOME rot in calla lily? This happened just 4 days after planting in Miracle Gro cactus soil.
I think I've just lost almost all of my plants ð most of them I only water every 3-4 weeks but as soon as I repotted them in Miracle Gro cactus soil, they all went bad ð im so heartbroken #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #succulentlove #planttherapy
Also, how do you get rid of RHIZOME rot in calla lily? This happened just 4 days after planting in Miracle Gro cactus soil.
I think I've just lost almost all of my plants ð most of them I only water every 3-4 weeks but as soon as I repotted them in Miracle Gro cactus soil, they all went bad ð im so heartbroken #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #succulentlove #planttherapy
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How long has it been since you added the perlite to new cactus soil and re-potted them? Could they still be adjusting? Also, did you do all these treatments with cutting off roots, Neem oil, peroxide and repotting at the same time? If so, maybe too many changes at one time? I will say that I use Miracle Grow Cactus Potting Mix and add perlite and havenât had any trouble, but of course, the conditions of where I am and where you are could be very different.
@KrunchyWrapz can you elaborate on what you mean please?
Options are so limited here and so is money. ðĐ
Options are so limited here and so is money. ðĐ
@SunnyPlants the timeline is different for each plant. I cut off roots, neem oil, and repotted at the same time. Some of them I added peroxide 1:4 when I watered them but some of them I didn't.
All of my pots have drainage but the soil stays soooo wet after watering (most of my plants are watered every 3-4 weeks)
I couldn't for the life of me figure out why Ive been having so many problems lately but I'm just now figuring out the problems started for each plant after each one was potted in Miracle Gro. The ones not in Miracle Gro are not having these issues. I'm devasted cuz I can't afford to replace what I'm losing. I'm a single mom ð
All of my pots have drainage but the soil stays soooo wet after watering (most of my plants are watered every 3-4 weeks)
I couldn't for the life of me figure out why Ive been having so many problems lately but I'm just now figuring out the problems started for each plant after each one was potted in Miracle Gro. The ones not in Miracle Gro are not having these issues. I'm devasted cuz I can't afford to replace what I'm losing. I'm a single mom ð
You need different soil mixes for different types of plants.
Don't use JUST this as your soil. I mix in perlite, Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil - Jacks Gritty Mix, bark to make a good well draining mix.
https://a.co/d/5cpX3OK
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Soil
Soil matters. Different types of plants require different soil needs.
When I was a very #NewPlantMom I didn't realize the importance of soil and ended up with a lot of root rot.
Most plants require good drainage so the roots don't stay wet which leads to root rot. Chunky soil mix helps with aeration so uour roots can breathe and helps mimic natural growing environments.
If you have indoor plants or container plants, make sure you're using indoor/potting/container soil.
Some great staples to keep in stock to mix in whatever soil mix you have as a base:
Perlite:
helps with drainage and aeration
ðŠąWorm Castings:
increase soil's water retention, improve soil aeration
ðģOrchid Bark:
helps with aeration and drainage. I heavily use for my philos, hoyas, pothos, and monsteras.
Coco Coir:
helps with aeration and drainage. If your base soil doesn't contain this, it's a great addition to your soil mix.
Charcoal:
Protects soil and roots from bacterial and fungal growth
Links:
SOIL BASE FOR TROPICAL INDOOR PLANTS:
Coco Coir
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HSWMP2K
ORCHID BARK:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Better-Gro-8-Qt-Dendrobium-Potting-Mix-Twin-Pack-50243/323835242
https://www.lowes.com/pd/BETTER-GRO-Orchid-8-Quart-Organic-Potting-Soil-Mix/3029227
PERLITE:
If you can find chunky perlite, that's better.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-2-cu-ft-Organic-Perlite-Soil-Amendment-100521091/205655210
Coarse Perlite:
https://a.co/d/aHZUGPx
ðĩCACTUS and SUCCULENT POTTING MIX:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-16-Qt-Cactus-Palm-and-Citrus-Potting-Soil-Mix-2-Pack-VB00010/316281339?ITC=AUC-129450-23-12145
Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil - Jacks Gritty Mix -2 Gallons â Fast Draining â Fight Root Rot â Optimized pH https://a.co/d/bQkDB7b
Don't use JUST this as your soil. I mix in perlite, Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil - Jacks Gritty Mix, bark to make a good well draining mix.
https://a.co/d/5cpX3OK
---
Soil
Soil matters. Different types of plants require different soil needs.
When I was a very #NewPlantMom I didn't realize the importance of soil and ended up with a lot of root rot.
Most plants require good drainage so the roots don't stay wet which leads to root rot. Chunky soil mix helps with aeration so uour roots can breathe and helps mimic natural growing environments.
If you have indoor plants or container plants, make sure you're using indoor/potting/container soil.
Some great staples to keep in stock to mix in whatever soil mix you have as a base:
Perlite:
helps with drainage and aeration
ðŠąWorm Castings:
increase soil's water retention, improve soil aeration
ðģOrchid Bark:
helps with aeration and drainage. I heavily use for my philos, hoyas, pothos, and monsteras.
Coco Coir:
helps with aeration and drainage. If your base soil doesn't contain this, it's a great addition to your soil mix.
Charcoal:
Protects soil and roots from bacterial and fungal growth
Links:
SOIL BASE FOR TROPICAL INDOOR PLANTS:
Coco Coir
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HSWMP2K
ORCHID BARK:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Better-Gro-8-Qt-Dendrobium-Potting-Mix-Twin-Pack-50243/323835242
https://www.lowes.com/pd/BETTER-GRO-Orchid-8-Quart-Organic-Potting-Soil-Mix/3029227
PERLITE:
If you can find chunky perlite, that's better.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-2-cu-ft-Organic-Perlite-Soil-Amendment-100521091/205655210
Coarse Perlite:
https://a.co/d/aHZUGPx
ðĩCACTUS and SUCCULENT POTTING MIX:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-16-Qt-Cactus-Palm-and-Citrus-Potting-Soil-Mix-2-Pack-VB00010/316281339?ITC=AUC-129450-23-12145
Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil - Jacks Gritty Mix -2 Gallons â Fast Draining â Fight Root Rot â Optimized pH https://a.co/d/bQkDB7b
@NotableKonjac Donât give up! They may still bounce back. Because theyâve been thru lots of different treatments and re-potting, they may just be adjusting. You mentioned that the potting mix stays too wet. That has happened to me before as well and it could be that the pot is too large for the plant. I relate very much to what you said about not being able to replace them. You donât need to spend a lot of money to have nice plants.
Try cutting back on the amount and frequency of watering if they are staying wet. Before you water, put a chopstick into the plant to see if itâs still damp. If itâs still damp, the chopstick will have soil stuck on it and then donât water it. Just trying give you ideas for how to resolve some of these issues and encourage you to keep trying. I saw in your Oasis that you have some propagations going, so thatâs a good thing too!
Try cutting back on the amount and frequency of watering if they are staying wet. Before you water, put a chopstick into the plant to see if itâs still damp. If itâs still damp, the chopstick will have soil stuck on it and then donât water it. Just trying give you ideas for how to resolve some of these issues and encourage you to keep trying. I saw in your Oasis that you have some propagations going, so thatâs a good thing too!
@AwesomePlants tysm for the links and detailed suggestions, if only I was able to afford that stuff ð
@SunnyPlants thx. Yea when I first started out I made the mistake of too large pots lol. I have a moisture meter.
I had to pull off ALL of the roots on the pothos and it's in water. I'm probably just gonna throw away the calla lily cuz idk how to treat rhizome rot. And the rest, well idk what imma do cuz I can't afford better soil options, it literally broke the bank just to get several bags of the Miracle Gro and perlite. I feel like I've lost everything ð
@SunnyPlants thx. Yea when I first started out I made the mistake of too large pots lol. I have a moisture meter.
I had to pull off ALL of the roots on the pothos and it's in water. I'm probably just gonna throw away the calla lily cuz idk how to treat rhizome rot. And the rest, well idk what imma do cuz I can't afford better soil options, it literally broke the bank just to get several bags of the Miracle Gro and perlite. I feel like I've lost everything ð
@NotableKonjac I know the feeling. Lucky for us, I'm always broke and always making my own versions of the expensive stuff.
If you insist on using soil that's fine but you need 90% of your mix to be stuff like perlite, (I also crumble Styrofoam into tiny wee balls and use it bc it won't break down and helps aerate the soil too), lava rock, pumice, orchid bark (I get those $4 giant bag of pine bark nuggets in the mulch section and just break them into smaller pieces. Better than constantly coming back for a little $6 bag of basically the same stuff) you can also go around your are and get bark off of trees. You want the bark to break apart kinda easy and not really hold water like some pieces of bark do, horticultural charcoal, gravel works too! Remember it has to be the smaller sized Gravel/pebble/rocks
The bigger they are the more weight they will have on the roots and the worse off it'll be. Need to be around rhe size of beads for necklaces (give or take). Make sure to wash them off and let them dry out before mixing with your soil. You want all of your amendments to be around same size. Big enough to allow ample air/water/roots through but small enough the actually provide true cover to protect the roots. I'll get a picture for you. For the longest, and even still now, styroam, packing peanuts and my yard were my home depot/supplies. Works just as great as the other stuff.
If you insist on using soil that's fine but you need 90% of your mix to be stuff like perlite, (I also crumble Styrofoam into tiny wee balls and use it bc it won't break down and helps aerate the soil too), lava rock, pumice, orchid bark (I get those $4 giant bag of pine bark nuggets in the mulch section and just break them into smaller pieces. Better than constantly coming back for a little $6 bag of basically the same stuff) you can also go around your are and get bark off of trees. You want the bark to break apart kinda easy and not really hold water like some pieces of bark do, horticultural charcoal, gravel works too! Remember it has to be the smaller sized Gravel/pebble/rocks
The bigger they are the more weight they will have on the roots and the worse off it'll be. Need to be around rhe size of beads for necklaces (give or take). Make sure to wash them off and let them dry out before mixing with your soil. You want all of your amendments to be around same size. Big enough to allow ample air/water/roots through but small enough the actually provide true cover to protect the roots. I'll get a picture for you. For the longest, and even still now, styroam, packing peanuts and my yard were my home depot/supplies. Works just as great as the other stuff.
@NotableKonjac if you can't afford everything, that's fine, do what you can, when you can. Staples to add to soil, perlite and some bark for most plants. Both of those are around $6 at Walmart, Home Depot, or Lowes. And it will help combat against root rot.
@KrunchyWrapz tysm! I live in an apartment so we don't have a yard but it sounds like I may can swing the $4 pine bark nuggets. I have regular size gravel and stones in a few of them but they are only at the bottom of the pot, not mixed in and not small unfortunately. I'm gonna check out the rest of everyone's suggestions here to see what's in my scope of ability.
@SunnyPlants @AwesomePlants @KrunchyWrapz so I think I have approximately 13 plants recently potted in the Miracle Gro cactus mix, some have added perlite. In order to save them, Do I need to throw out ALL of the dirt and restart ALL over or is there any chance I can just mix in other additives into the existing dirt (IF I'm able to afford to get or find anything else ð)? Last time I checked each plant, the remaining roots do pull off easy and are squishy, most of them are cream colored or orangish. The Calla lily rhizome is mushy, the roots are cream colored but pull off easy.
Should I put a fan on them until to help dry it out?
Thx again everyone. I'm so heartbroken. Everything was thriving so well until I decided to repot.
@SunnyPlants @AwesomePlants @KrunchyWrapz so I think I have approximately 13 plants recently potted in the Miracle Gro cactus mix, some have added perlite. In order to save them, Do I need to throw out ALL of the dirt and restart ALL over or is there any chance I can just mix in other additives into the existing dirt (IF I'm able to afford to get or find anything else ð)? Last time I checked each plant, the remaining roots do pull off easy and are squishy, most of them are cream colored or orangish. The Calla lily rhizome is mushy, the roots are cream colored but pull off easy.
Should I put a fan on them until to help dry it out?
Thx again everyone. I'm so heartbroken. Everything was thriving so well until I decided to repot.
Before repotting in Miracle Gro, all of my plants were in a homemade mix that I got from someone else a while back or in whatever they came in. Uggg I feel so silly cuz I just assumed that a store bought soil mix would include all I needed. I've only been doing the plant thing for a little over a year and a half so I'm still learning
Once you have your mix, take all the plants out and wash off the roots. Gently run your fingers through the roots system to see what's living. The dear roots come off Hella easy once you have thoroughly "cleaned their bottoms" with water, you'll then pour/spray hydrogen peroxide on the roots and on any part of the plant that shows signs of root Rot. Let the plant set out to air dry a bit hut RIGHT BEFORE IT DRIES put some ground cinnamon on the roots and on any possible "wound". Let finish drying out then plant in your new DRY soil mix. Don't Water a couple weeks or more. Depending on their roots system. No direct sun during this either.
@KrunchyWrapz the styrofoam thing is genius! I never thought of that. Iâm going to try it because I also use miracle gro cactus soil (hard to find other brands where I live, and when I do they are so expensive) but I mix it with a LOT of perlite. But I just added bark to the mix and itâs helping a lot, I think if I add the styrofoam pieces it will be perfect. @NotableKonjac donât give up, I am also having very large money issues so I understand your pain. Every time I find an extra $10, I grab one of the staples recommended here and while itâs slow going, it is helping my plants. I donât know if you have cash app or Venmo but if it would help I can send you a few bucks on Friday when I get paid. All is not lost for your plant babies! When I find my succulents are retaining too much water (which happens because I just got into them in the past couple months and am still learning), I find it helps to take them out of the soil and let them dry out for a few days, then repot in soil with more perlite and bark etc. Hope some of this helps ððð
I think everyone else has given you excellent advice. Iâll add that I like to stay away from perlite in my cactus mix because of its water retention. I use volcanic pumice in the mix to help aerate the soil. Some plants donât like that kind of super dry medium but some do. Do your research and see what kind of soil they prefer. Also, remember that most plants go dormant in winter and other are dormant in summer unless you provide a stable climate for both to thrive. I have tropicals in one room while succulents and cacti are in others. Your humidity is also an important factor when it comes to soil drying out. If it helps, share which plants you are struggling with so we can advise one by one. Your exact geo location will affect the progress but remember that this is a learning practice. We all make mistakes and learn from them and itâs how we offer advice to new plants parents. Tag whomever you want to hear from and youâll get a faster response. @NotableKonjac
@AnthuriumQueen I thought perlite helped with drainage ðĪĶðŧââïļ see I am definitely a beginner when it comes to succulents lol. I just ordered a bag of volcanic rocks that will be here Wednesdayâfound a really good deal. Thank you for the tip!! ð
@BabeVila get some large coarse perlite. It comes in many sizes, and the bigger sizes don't crumble and are porous. You'd probably have to order it and would find it cheaper online anyways. I've put Styrofoam in my soil for 2 years now, I put a lot in soils that the most water, there are soils out there that are super light and fluffy that dry fast. Idk if you would have some locally or not though. I know I found some local and I also ordered a lot. I usually use 10% cacti soil with 90% Chunky amendments for all of my house plants and my cacti and succulents get bonsai jack. I've also added bonsai jack to the houseplant soil. I add ALOT of stuff to my soils to make them Chunkier. Lol one day I just noticed all the Styrofoam blocks I had that had came with presents (this was Christmas so you imagine all the gifts had 2-3 blocks of it) and I figured why not?! It couldn't hurt any and I desperately needed something right then. For bigger plants I just broke it up into pieces from the size of a quarter to like half dollar coin sized chunks and then the rest I put the broken pieces of Styrofoam in both hands and rubbed my hands to gether really fast and it broke the Styrofoam into all of the little balls it's made up of. I starred using that and ever since it's been a tremendous help, ESPECIALLY during times money was stupid stupid tight (,which really feels like 24/7 honestly) and I can't afford the amendment I need. I also found that you can actually look around and find cheaper amendments in stuff that's not labeled as such. Ex: dollar tree has bags of little rocks and small chipped crystal decor in their artificial flower area (just make sure to wash off the color). You can get that at hobby lobby (you can also find the same thing for 3 different prices in hobby lobby bc it's labeled for a different use even though it's the same) and walmart and other craft stores. You can get aquarium gravel for $6 a bag at Walmart and other places. Leca balls are great for soil too. I cut grow shit in leca but had bags of it and I crushed some up and left some whole and put in my soil. Pets stores or farm stores like Scruggs, tractor supplies have poultry grit, it's just crushed granite, and crushed oyster shells. That's great stuff! But get the poultry grit on Amazon but you get at 25lb bag for the exact price if not a little lower than you get a 5lb bag in the stores sometimes. Just make sure it's regular poultry grit without prebiotic (even though I've used both and there was no change in my plants at all). I miss a little play sand and any larger granule sand. Lava rocks too! Get a cheap big bag at lowes or where ever and get a hammer. I've dedicated many many hours to hammering lava rocks into the sizes I needed them to be to help save money on other amendment. There is always another cheaper "version" of a plant amendment somewhere. I stay on the look out for it. It can't break down/disolve, helps to be porous and hold its shape. I've spent so much time experimenting with things just to see. I have trees everywhere around and if I can't get that $4 giant bag of mulch for bark I get bark off the trees. I spray them with alcohol and let them sit in the direct sun a few days and have at it. If anyone understands the struggles of being broke, it's me I promise. A lot of time spent looking for cheaper alternatives have led me to find the best stuff for stupid cheap prices.
If you do get the bag of pink bark in the mulch area, open the entire bag up (you just get what you need out if you don't have rhe space) and let it bake in the direct sunlight a few days to kill anything that could be in/on it, since anything in the mulch sections usually stays Wet or damp. Then go through it and pull out those pieces that don't break or have that 'crunch'. Some pieces in that are "clothy" and its hard to explain, but those pieces hold water the most and domt dry out as fast and oftwn are the pieces that will carry or get bacteria the most/worst. Break up the bark nuggets you kepts jntk whatever sizes you prefer and cover everything in cinnamon! I went from buying 2-3 $6 little bags or that orchid bark a month to 1 big giant $4 bag of pine bark nuggets every few months (I've given a lot away, lots some along the way, etc etc lol) I've also experimented with turf/top soil... it's literally a HUGE bag for $2-3 dollars. I got it bc it was soooo light and the texture was different. Light, soft, and idk how to explain it, but I got some and mix it with my stuff when I'm low on soil. Coarse silica sand is on Amazon and I LOVE that stuff. I used to get a 4lb bag of it for $7. Sadly that guy's doesn't sell it anymore but there is still some on Amazon and other stores.
@KrunchyWrapz Genius, all this stuff is genius! Thank you so much. And I hope this helps @NotableKonjac too! ð
Omgosh thank you all for this information and for taking the time to explain everything! I spent all day repotting 9 plants and I had to throw out the calla lily, the bulb was mushy. Every time that I've had to dig up these plants since I put them in Miracle Gro, I find that more and more of the roots are mushy. I must not be removing them all. They are cream colored and don't stink but the outer layer pulls off and leaves a small string. I'm just worried they will continue to get worse cuz I keep removing them and apply antifungals and repotting but more roots keep turning mushy every time I check @KrunchyWrapz the mulch bark is a great idea but it was soaking wet at Lowes and I don't have a yard to dry it out so I had to get orchid bark. Am I supposed to break that into smaller pieces too? I used new soil, perlite, and bark but I have a feeling I didn't use enough bark and perlite (I was trying to stretch it out). That's pretty much all that's even available in my area, anything else I'd have to order. I did the peroxide then cinnamon after washing and pulling off roots. I put a few medium stones and gravel in the bottom of 2 plants. I meant to put crushed egg shells and completely forgot.
@BabeVila that is very kind of you to offer but I wouldn't feel right taking money. I still appreciate it though âĪïļ
@AnthuriumQueen my current plants are ponytail palm, aloes, pothos, dracaena marginata, dracaena lemon lime, dieffenbachia, cactus, snake plants, haworthia (pup), kalanchoe, hens and chicks, and some type of succulent (maybe a ghost plant?). Oh and also some air plants and props lol
@SunnyPlants @AwesomePlants @KrunchyWrapz @Addicted2plants @BabeVila @AnthuriumQueen thank you all sooo much again! There's so much information here and I REALLY appreciate it! Gonna screenshot it to save ð I'm exhausted!
@BabeVila that is very kind of you to offer but I wouldn't feel right taking money. I still appreciate it though âĪïļ
@AnthuriumQueen my current plants are ponytail palm, aloes, pothos, dracaena marginata, dracaena lemon lime, dieffenbachia, cactus, snake plants, haworthia (pup), kalanchoe, hens and chicks, and some type of succulent (maybe a ghost plant?). Oh and also some air plants and props lol
@SunnyPlants @AwesomePlants @KrunchyWrapz @Addicted2plants @BabeVila @AnthuriumQueen thank you all sooo much again! There's so much information here and I REALLY appreciate it! Gonna screenshot it to save ð I'm exhausted!
@NotableKonjac most orchid bark pieces are just a tad big for the wee cacti/succulents, so it would be best to break them into at least dime size pieces. On the mulch thing, I've gotten some and it be raining for what felt like eternity and I just washed it off (you know some can get a little slimy) with water and alcohol (or just hot water) and I put mine straight into the oven... my husband and everyone thing I nutty but I need that s*** dry asap! I kept it on broil and the lowest rack and checked it every so often. It will put off a very "earthy" scent in your home, but I loved it. Lol as for the taking them in and out, and then losing more and more roots: 1) succulents and cacti will be fine out of soil and without out roots for a while. I have a cactus right now, that hasn't been in soil and has no roots, in my living room and it looks just as good as it did the day I pulled it from the pot... middle of last summer... and it's only 5 inches or so tall. I still have plenty of succulents from last summer that were either props or that I over watered, and then forgot about until recently and they are all good some a wee bit wrinkly but ok. House plants are a little different bc they don't store all their water up top like succulents and cacti so they dehydrate faster. Make sure you're putting peroxide on the roots/base after removing any and all root. Then put cinnamon on it. Once you repot them into fresh soil, DO NOT WATER AT ALL. Succulents and cacti need at least a month before you even think about thinking about watering then or they will rot. Usually a month and they will have some little baby hair roots coming out, but it isn't until you "ever so lightly and gently " give them a wee bitty tug and you feel a resistance that you can give them JUST A WEE BITTY BIT of water. Little tiny roots= little tiny drinks (but a bit more often) big thick roots= big thick drinks (but less often). Succulent show you they are thirty when the very lowest leaves get kinda prune and aren't firm like normal. If the leaves are firm then they are fine. It's ok if you end up going a month (sometimes longer!) Without watering them bc they are drought tolerant and it's what they are built for so it will be just fine. House plants can (for the most part) be water propped I'd all else fails. But just like, succulents, do not water after you repot them. Repotting stresses plants out. Root rot stressed plants out. When plants ate stressed they go into survival mode and their roots stop absorbing water and what not, so if you water it, you'll just be getting the soil wet for no reason..which cause more fungal/bacterial problems. If the plant had root rot previously, then watering too soon can trigger root rot again. So it's best to go as long as you go without watering. But if it does has a bit of a root system, then after a week you can give it just a wee bitty bitty drink. Not a lot by any means and it needs to be directly at the base of the plant so it goes to the roots only and isn't getting unnecessary soil wet. If they roots will absorb, it won't be a lot and it'll be from roots closest to the stem/base of the plant. Another thing that is like a miracle method with rehabbing house plants is making a humidity dome. Even if it's just a bag sitting on top of it (not touching) where it holds in all the warmth and humidity will work. If the plants are small enough, put jars or giant bowls over them. Only "burp" it every other day for a few hours and then cover back up. (Still need to be able to get light through the bag so go for the lighter/clearer stuff) I put plastic wrap around the inner most shelfing on my big 5 tier stackable shelf thing. I just wrap it around until it's completely closed off, can still get light though, and I don't bother it but every few days or so to let it breathe and check on everything's progress. Some plants will get worse before they get better. Patience is key and it's always better to underwater than to over water. Easier to save a thirsty plant than its is a drowning one.
@KrunchyWrapz was I supposed to use straight or diluted peroxide? I diluted it 1:4, is that ok? As far as not watering after repotting, is that any time I repot something (even if it's healthy) or only when I repot a root rot plant?
If they continue to go downhill, should I cut off ALL roots (and water prop the regular plants but repot the succulents)? A few weeks ago I pulled off all roots on the pothos and it's been in water, no root growth yet though.
Uggg I don't think I used enough bark but it took all day yesterday to repot everything so I really don't wanna have to do it all over again. ð
What is your opinion on sand? I read mixed things.
Thx again for all your help!
If they continue to go downhill, should I cut off ALL roots (and water prop the regular plants but repot the succulents)? A few weeks ago I pulled off all roots on the pothos and it's been in water, no root growth yet though.
Uggg I don't think I used enough bark but it took all day yesterday to repot everything so I really don't wanna have to do it all over again. ð
What is your opinion on sand? I read mixed things.
Thx again for all your help!
I use straight peroxide. I never water it down.
And yes, never water immediately after a repot. Which is why you should make sure you water the plant prior to repotting so it won't need to be watered after you repot. But after a normal repot you'll wait a week and then , if needed, you'll give it a little bit of water directly at the base so it goes straight to the roots. It's ok if there's not enough bark and you don't want to have to repot everything right away. Just take a breathe. The o ly thing you need to do right now is let them settle and whenever it comes time to water just give then smaller amounts since the soil won't dry fast enough yet. Smaller amounts won't saturate the soil as much and it'll dry faster until you can get some more amendments in it
And yes, never water immediately after a repot. Which is why you should make sure you water the plant prior to repotting so it won't need to be watered after you repot. But after a normal repot you'll wait a week and then , if needed, you'll give it a little bit of water directly at the base so it goes straight to the roots. It's ok if there's not enough bark and you don't want to have to repot everything right away. Just take a breathe. The o ly thing you need to do right now is let them settle and whenever it comes time to water just give then smaller amounts since the soil won't dry fast enough yet. Smaller amounts won't saturate the soil as much and it'll dry faster until you can get some more amendments in it
@NotableKonjac email me
Kristensdunn1991@gmail.com I'm going to see if maybe I can send you something
Kristensdunn1991@gmail.com I'm going to see if maybe I can send you something
@KrunchyWrapz email sent! I lost 2 plants today... ð A couple of the others appear to be struggling too
Also, I bought this yesterday, has 11 hens and chicks in a 4 inch pot. Does it need to be repotted or can it stay? I'm honestly too scared to repot anything else. Looks like one of the chicks isn't even rooted in the pot?
They are so crowded that I can't fit a moisture meter in it but is it ok to just water it once a month?
Also, I bought this yesterday, has 11 hens and chicks in a 4 inch pot. Does it need to be repotted or can it stay? I'm honestly too scared to repot anything else. Looks like one of the chicks isn't even rooted in the pot?
They are so crowded that I can't fit a moisture meter in it but is it ok to just water it once a month?
@NotableKonjac ok I'll check. I'm sorry you lost more âđïļ bit it will be fine to leave them in that pot for a while I promise. What is the weather like where you are at? Is it at all possible to take them outside? Your home could be too humid for them, that also plays a factor in the speed of which you soil dries. House plants love it but not so much succulents and cacti.
Did the plants you lose rot?
Did the plants you lose rot?
@KrunchyWrapz I live in an apartment so no yard ð one of my dragon trees - the stem got soft after repotting in Miracle Gro and it drooped all the way over. I had to throw it out. The 2 remaining dragon tree stems seem a little soft too but they haven't drooped over yet. The dieffenbachia was sick when I bought it (even before repotting it in Miracle Gro) and I've been trying to save it but it finally kicked the dust.
I'm still hoping the rest survive but the haworthia pup's root rotted off after potting it in the Miracle Gro, the kalanchoe has is starting to droop, and a succulent (im not entirely sure what it is) started to shrivel up (I went ahead and bottom watered this one yesterday but I haven't watered any of the others). The pothos I have in water trying to regrow the roots (I removed them all), and thankfully the rest of the plants seem to be ok as far as I can tell.
So yes I'm absolutely terrified to do any more repotting lol. My new soil mixture is soil, orchid bark, and perlite but I still feel like it's not chunky enough, like it's too much soil and not enough of the other stuff
I'm still hoping the rest survive but the haworthia pup's root rotted off after potting it in the Miracle Gro, the kalanchoe has is starting to droop, and a succulent (im not entirely sure what it is) started to shrivel up (I went ahead and bottom watered this one yesterday but I haven't watered any of the others). The pothos I have in water trying to regrow the roots (I removed them all), and thankfully the rest of the plants seem to be ok as far as I can tell.
So yes I'm absolutely terrified to do any more repotting lol. My new soil mixture is soil, orchid bark, and perlite but I still feel like it's not chunky enough, like it's too much soil and not enough of the other stuff