Search found 23 matches

by madpenguin
Tue Aug 09, 2016 10:18 pm
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Cat litter for compost mix.
Replies: 5
Views: 2741

Re: Cat litter for compost mix.

Just had a look on Amazon and I can get it on there and have ordered some!
by madpenguin
Tue Aug 09, 2016 10:13 pm
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Cat litter for compost mix.
Replies: 5
Views: 2741

Re: Cat litter for compost mix.

Thanks,I have just been up to Pets at Home and didn't see that one there,maybe out of stock just now?
I know what to look for now!
by madpenguin
Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:15 pm
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Cat litter for compost mix.
Replies: 5
Views: 2741

Cat litter for compost mix.

I am trying to get hold of some cat litter to make up a soil mix. The first one I used (Morrisons Super Absorbent Cat Litter) turned out to be aerated concrete granules which could make the mix to alkaline for succulents.It made a nice addition to the mix keeping it open as the pieces are largish. T...
by madpenguin
Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:49 pm
Forum: Introduce Yourself
Topic: Just love plants!
Replies: 1
Views: 2387

Just love plants!

I've already put up a couple of posts but thought I would now introduce myself!! I love gardening but until a couple of years ago when I had a porch built I had nowhere to keep tender plants.Because I am not a very good waterer of plants I gradually came across succulents and all are doing really we...
by madpenguin
Sat Jul 23, 2016 2:44 pm
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Crassula ID's please!
Replies: 9
Views: 2685

Re: Crassula ID's please!

I think C. rubricaulis is the right one.It does have red stems,especially the new growth.
Off now to make a new label :smile:
Thanks everyone.
by madpenguin
Sat Jul 23, 2016 2:39 pm
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Pest control
Replies: 16
Views: 5059

Re: Pest control

Just wondering how I would actually apply a soil drench.
Is it simply standing pots in the solution until the soil is 'drenched' or just watering in?
I assume the first option is best and with clay pots the neem oil would penetrate that and maybe kill bugs living on the underside.
How would you do it?
by madpenguin
Sat Jul 23, 2016 9:41 am
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Pest control
Replies: 16
Views: 5059

Re: Pest control

Eric - this year I tried neem oil as a preventive measure against mites out of despair at other treatment failures. I did not want oil/detergent emulsion on my plants after past damage, so I used it as a soil drench. So far so good...... Anyone else using neem as a soil drench? I think I might try ...
by madpenguin
Fri Jul 22, 2016 3:56 pm
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Pest control
Replies: 16
Views: 5059

Re: Pest control

I have used nematodes against vine weevil outside in the garden (not in pots) in the past with some success.The problem is they are expensive and you have to make up a batch which then has to be used straight away and they only have a short shelf life so you can't keep some 'just in case'. I have se...
by madpenguin
Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:46 am
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Potting mix for succulents.
Replies: 6
Views: 3440

Re: Potting mix for succulents.

Thanks for your replies. I asked as there are so many recipes out there and every one is different!! The last batch of compost I made was 3 parts JI No.3 (sifted to get out the big bits),2 parts horticultural sharp sand and 1 part perlite. The mixture seems fine with me so shall use it and see how w...
by madpenguin
Wed Jul 20, 2016 1:07 pm
Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
Topic: Potting mix for succulents.
Replies: 6
Views: 3440

Potting mix for succulents.

I make up my own potting mix from John Innes No.3,Sharp sand and perlite but would like to know what sort of ratio there should be (I tend to make it up as I go along!!).
Does anyone have a favourite 'recipe'?