What ratio should I have for my own potting mix???
I'm learning a lot... I've come to the conclusion that most all plants like aerated soil for their roots, and so I've decided to try mixing my own soil. I have perlite, standard indoor potting mix, and orchid bark. Nothing I've seen has given actual ratios though? I don't trust TikTok so I'm scared to try any of those blends.
Does anyone mix their own and have a ratio they'd like to share for happy, healthy plants? #pottingmix #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #thethread #greggang
Does anyone mix their own and have a ratio they'd like to share for happy, healthy plants? #pottingmix #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #thethread #greggang
10
Hi Kristen! I’ve been mixing my own for about a year. I started using mostly cactus/succulent as my base because most plant like airy soil, and I have a lot of cacti- but it also works for citrus and veggies- and also because most of my plants are outdoors. I have a Homer bucket (Home Depot) and fill it half way. I add 3 cups of perlite, and 2 cups of bark (not the chunky kind). Depending on the plant and its needs, I’ll also add Coco Coir, and I just found a Coco Coir Perlute mix on Amazon so I got it the other day. I also add Worm Castings (the dirt not the liquid) to my dirt especially to plants that are heavy feeders, and they seem to love it. I also have Pumice and Bobsai mix (lava) as my cacti loveeeee that. And- lastly, I think lol, I have Coarse Sand (not playground). Most of it I just eyeball, I’ve been doing it a while. I’ve read some ratios and think…really? And to be honest- you will figure it out quickly between your plants and what they need, and your climate. I hope this makes sense and I hope it helps. I think others will join your post and may be able to give you a ratio. 🌸💕
I just eyeball it and add more or less of something if a specific plant needs it. Or just chuck whatever bags of something I already have into it. I also change soil mixes sometimes to try something new out. It doesn’t need to be an exact amount, you can find pictures of soil mixes and replicate it yourself.
My favourites components are coco husk chunks, vermiculite, perlite or pumice or zeolite, orchid bark, charcoal chunks and I usually use a coco coir base. Sometimes I just use straight coco coir if I don’t have any other components at the time 😅 if you want a specific recipe you may be able to find one on youtube but a lot of people also just eyeball it.
My favourites components are coco husk chunks, vermiculite, perlite or pumice or zeolite, orchid bark, charcoal chunks and I usually use a coco coir base. Sometimes I just use straight coco coir if I don’t have any other components at the time 😅 if you want a specific recipe you may be able to find one on youtube but a lot of people also just eyeball it.
I keep changing my mixes. But with what you have I'd go 2 parts potting mix, 1 part perlite, 1 part orchid mix. If you need higher drainage add more perlite. It should be OK for most stuff. It's what I use as a general mix.
For succulents I do 2 parts sand (preferably horticulture sand so ya don't get algae) 2 parts perlite, 1 part potting mix.
For tropicals I've been experimenting with a chunkier orchid bark and adding charcoal to the general mix. Early days still, but the general mix has worked well for me so far. I should have taken pics of what it did for my Swiss cheese monsteras roots, they exploded!
I also like to add worm castings and diamatacious earth to my mixes. I kinda measure those with my heart though lol!
For succulents I do 2 parts sand (preferably horticulture sand so ya don't get algae) 2 parts perlite, 1 part potting mix.
For tropicals I've been experimenting with a chunkier orchid bark and adding charcoal to the general mix. Early days still, but the general mix has worked well for me so far. I should have taken pics of what it did for my Swiss cheese monsteras roots, they exploded!
I also like to add worm castings and diamatacious earth to my mixes. I kinda measure those with my heart though lol!
To make it easy and work for almost all plants (excluding orchids, succulent and cacti)
Mix together
1/3 perlite
1/3 bark
1/3 peat moss
Or in your case
1/3 perlite
1/3 bark
1/3 soil
That will give you the perfect ratio to keep enough water for your plants to drink while allowing lots of aeration for your drainage and aeration. This combo will help prevent root rot and fungal issues.
It's the combo Ibuse for almost all of my 500 plants!
I mix up huge buckets and be found they all love it and do great!
@EcoPlantLover Just wanted to tag you since you had the moss question. Yes peat moss is the ultimate for soil mixes. It holds 20x its weight in water!! It's light and airy and perfect for roots to easily grow through. Really, in my 30 years collecting plants, I have found nothing that compares. It is a perfect ingredient for all tropicals. But make sure you add aeration.
I have experimented with other things as well such as coco coir as a substitute and coir would be my 2nd choice. I know some are opposed to peat moss so for people who stay away from peat, coco coir is a good substitute.
I have learned to keep it simple and stay with what I know works and keeps my babies happy. So, I personally love peat moss, bark and perlite together.
Personally I do not use soil from a bag. It usually contains dirt, comprised of clay and silt. They are incredibly heavy and muddy. So, I rarely use it and if I do it's outdoors.
Mix together
1/3 perlite
1/3 bark
1/3 peat moss
Or in your case
1/3 perlite
1/3 bark
1/3 soil
That will give you the perfect ratio to keep enough water for your plants to drink while allowing lots of aeration for your drainage and aeration. This combo will help prevent root rot and fungal issues.
It's the combo Ibuse for almost all of my 500 plants!
I mix up huge buckets and be found they all love it and do great!
@EcoPlantLover Just wanted to tag you since you had the moss question. Yes peat moss is the ultimate for soil mixes. It holds 20x its weight in water!! It's light and airy and perfect for roots to easily grow through. Really, in my 30 years collecting plants, I have found nothing that compares. It is a perfect ingredient for all tropicals. But make sure you add aeration.
I have experimented with other things as well such as coco coir as a substitute and coir would be my 2nd choice. I know some are opposed to peat moss so for people who stay away from peat, coco coir is a good substitute.
I have learned to keep it simple and stay with what I know works and keeps my babies happy. So, I personally love peat moss, bark and perlite together.
Personally I do not use soil from a bag. It usually contains dirt, comprised of clay and silt. They are incredibly heavy and muddy. So, I rarely use it and if I do it's outdoors.
@EcoPlantLover I would not add sphagnum moss to soil mixes. I'd use it just for propping purposes.
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 your 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.
Get what you can, when you can, but orchid bark and perlite are inexpensive and should be a staple in your aroid soil mixes.
NO need to buy expensive pre-mixes, you can buy staples and create your own mix, adding certain items for plants that need more of something.
Perlite:
helps with drainage and aeration, the coarser the better
🪱Worm Castings:
increase soil's water retention, improve soil aeration
🌳Orchid Bark:
helps with aeration and drainage. I heavily use for my philos, hoyas, pothos, and monsteras. Don't buy the chunky one, those are too big. Instead, get the ones with fir, charcoal, and coarse perlite mixed in the bag.
Coco Coir CHIPS:
helps with aeration and drainage. Adds instant chunkiness to soil mix.
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
Mycorrhizal Hormone:
Mycorrhizae form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake, water absorption, and overall root health for stronger plants.
🪴🪴🪴
LINKS:
SOIL BASE FOR TROPICAL INDOOR PLANTS:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-6-Qt-Tropical-Potting-Soil-Mix-71276430/318258532
COCO COIR CHIPS:
https://a.co/d/16RUzpA
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:
Coarse Perlite:
https://a.co/d/aHZUGPx
If you can get chunky perlite, that's better.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-2-cu-ft-Organic-Perlite-Soil-Amendment-100521091/205655210
COCO COIR:
https://a.co/d/e2QFGmR
ROOTING HORMONE:
https://a.co/d/cjsvYEu
https://a.co/d/4l0sCfR
MYCORRHIZAL Inoculant Root Enhancer:
https://a.co/d/13OSLpN
https://a.co/d/a0jbTjr
https://a.co/d/crUfKsW
🌵CACTUS 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
https://a.co/d/5ab0SZQ
Another good mix to add to your cactus succulent mix is Bonsai Soil:
https://a.co/d/3DHay8N
@EcoPlantLover @HipLoquat11
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 your 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.
Get what you can, when you can, but orchid bark and perlite are inexpensive and should be a staple in your aroid soil mixes.
NO need to buy expensive pre-mixes, you can buy staples and create your own mix, adding certain items for plants that need more of something.
Perlite:
helps with drainage and aeration, the coarser the better
🪱Worm Castings:
increase soil's water retention, improve soil aeration
🌳Orchid Bark:
helps with aeration and drainage. I heavily use for my philos, hoyas, pothos, and monsteras. Don't buy the chunky one, those are too big. Instead, get the ones with fir, charcoal, and coarse perlite mixed in the bag.
Coco Coir CHIPS:
helps with aeration and drainage. Adds instant chunkiness to soil mix.
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
Mycorrhizal Hormone:
Mycorrhizae form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake, water absorption, and overall root health for stronger plants.
🪴🪴🪴
LINKS:
SOIL BASE FOR TROPICAL INDOOR PLANTS:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-6-Qt-Tropical-Potting-Soil-Mix-71276430/318258532
COCO COIR CHIPS:
https://a.co/d/16RUzpA
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:
Coarse Perlite:
https://a.co/d/aHZUGPx
If you can get chunky perlite, that's better.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-2-cu-ft-Organic-Perlite-Soil-Amendment-100521091/205655210
COCO COIR:
https://a.co/d/e2QFGmR
ROOTING HORMONE:
https://a.co/d/cjsvYEu
https://a.co/d/4l0sCfR
MYCORRHIZAL Inoculant Root Enhancer:
https://a.co/d/13OSLpN
https://a.co/d/a0jbTjr
https://a.co/d/crUfKsW
🌵CACTUS 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
https://a.co/d/5ab0SZQ
Another good mix to add to your cactus succulent mix is Bonsai Soil:
https://a.co/d/3DHay8N
@EcoPlantLover @HipLoquat11
@HipLoquat11 I suggest mixing a small batch for whatever you need to pot until you get comfortable with how you like your mix. It took me several tweaks before I found the mix "ratio" I use. I don't measure, I know that doesn't help you, but by doing a shoe box size mix each time you need to pot, you'll eventually not bother with ratios either and just know that a mix looks right to you.
