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View Full Version : Perlite and cactus soil.


caliboy1994
04-03-2012, 05:24 PM
What would the ideal mix of Perlite and cactus soil be?

caliboy1994
04-03-2012, 07:29 PM
After some research, I'm thinking maybe 20-30% Perlite and the rest cactus soil. Does this sound good?

sunfish
04-03-2012, 07:29 PM
25% perlite

natej740
04-04-2012, 11:01 AM
I've grown a few bananas in cactus soil and they did great. It drains really good without the extra perlite.

Bob3
04-04-2012, 06:14 PM
I've grown a few bananas in cactus soil and they did great. It drains really good without the extra perlite.Out here in CA, where it's drier than a popcorn fart, straight cactus soil can drain too fast, (except for maybe young TC plants & fresh corm/pup cuttings).

natej740
04-04-2012, 08:28 PM
Out here in CA, where it's drier than a popcorn fart, straight cactus soil can drain too fast, (except for maybe young TC plants & fresh corm/pup cuttings).

Yeah that's what I was getting at...cactus soil drains fine without the added perlite

caliboy1994
04-05-2012, 12:52 AM
The problem is I have thick, nasty clay soil.

Bob3
04-05-2012, 08:08 AM
Yeah that's what I was getting at...cactus soil drains fine without the added perlite
I use perlite (and pumice stone) to soak up & hold water rather than enhancing drainage.

momoese
04-06-2012, 10:13 AM
The problem is I have thick, nasty clay soil.

Are you asking how much to mix in with your garden soil in the garden, not in a container?

caliboy1994
04-06-2012, 08:31 PM
Yes, in the garden. I'm planting two plants in the ground next Saturday. The soil in my area tends to retain moisture, so I was thinking that a really well draining mix would be good.

venturabananas
04-06-2012, 10:40 PM
It's probably overkill, but I've amended the soil in the planting holes in my yard (which has heavy clay soil) with cactus mix, pumice, and compost -- roughly equal parts to about 1/2 native soil. Probably just pumice and compost would be no different. And probably just compost would be fine, but I like the insurance of drainage from the pumice.

I like pumice instead of perlite because it is heavy and anchors the plants down better than the perlite "popcorn".

caliboy1994
04-07-2012, 12:08 AM
Thanks for the advice. But I have plenty of Perlite, so I might as well use that.