View Full Version : Bed preparation for succulent beds!?
Randy4ut
10-11-2008, 11:58 PM
I would like to get input from anyone that has installed a succulent bed as far as soil mix. I am planning on using landscaple mix (mushroom compost, sand, nitrolized pine fines, perlite and trace elements), sand, and crushed oyster shells, and pea gravel. I will be elevating the beds slightly to aid in drainage, but I was wondering how many parts of each should I mix it? I figure the landscape mix will be like one part to 3 parts sand and one part oyster shells, but I am not sure. I will be using slightly larger rock for mulch. Any input would be greatly appreciated...
Randy
Lodewijkp
10-12-2008, 07:18 AM
this article wil help you
Building raised planters for succulents, cacti and other exotics (http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1600/)
one mistake i made was mulching with a layer of coccoa shells, fungus all around, o yes and black colored vulcanic rocks preserve the heat wel use a mix of small grit and big stones as top line. we live in a very wet climate so i keep my soil PH very chalky to discourage fungus.
gr.
Bananaman88
10-14-2008, 12:37 PM
Randy,
Before I was a banana fiend, I was a cacti and succulent fiend (still have some too)! Your planned mix sounds fine to me. The more sand and small bits of gravel you can use it make it drain, the better off you'll be. As I'm sure you know, it is very easy to love succulents to death by taking too much care of them. I'd plant them in your mix and let them be and they should thrive. I'd say if you have about a 60-70% sandy/rocky mix to 30-40% mushroom compost you'll be fine. If anything, I'd use more sand and less compost.
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