Cacti in Portugal

[jfabiao]

I don't know those I'm afraid. Anything without peat here seems to be impossible

I believe you are right. And if you do find anything without peat, please let me know!

[Patrick]

Will do!

[anttisepp]

So, I used SIRO CATO (with peat) + sand + cat litter 2+3+1 and leca as a drainage, all I could find there.
The most difficult was finding a small stone gravel to cover the substrate surface of the pots but it's also available from building materials Company surprisingly very cheap. It's very interesting how plants will go through the winter.

[jfabiao]

So, I used SIRO CATO (with peat) + sand + cat litter 2+3+1 and leca as a drainage.

Argh!, the dreaded SIRO CATO (and any other such "cactus soil", which is basically peat with sharp sand added). I refuse to use it, but I understand your lack of options.

Incidentally, I have found recently ONE place in Portugal (and in Algarve!) where you can buy [apparently] decent volcanic gravel at a decent size and price. Check it here:
https://www.qagarden.com/product-page/p ... A2nica-20l

The 0-3mm black (not ideal, but that's the colour they have available) gravel looks decent, the 3-10 is way too big for anything other than ground cover or plant beds (goes without saying that these numbers are not to be trusted too much). I will let you know how much of the 0-3 is usable once the bag I bought dries out enough to be sifted.

[Patrick]

Incidentally, I have found recently ONE place in Portugal (and in Algarve!) where you can buy [apparently] decent volcanic gravel at a decent size and price. Check it here:
https://www.qagarden.com/product-page/p ... A2nica-20l

The 0-3mm black (not ideal, but that's the colour they have available) gravel looks decent, the 3-10 is way too big for anything other than ground cover or plant beds (goes without saying that these numbers are not to be trusted too much). I will let you know how much of the 0-3 is usable once the bag I bought dries out enough to be sifted.

I can confirm they have it. I was there on Monday. I bought some of the larger stuff for the succulent garden, I didn't actually think of the smaller size for top dressing, but they seemed to have a variety of sizes and in the dark brown colour too I think. €6 for a large bag.

I have bought some nice cacti from them in the past but there range is a bit depleted at this time of year.

I wasn't looking for top dressing as I'd just bought a bag from Leroy Merlin further down that road which looks like it will suit my purposes and which I hadn't seen before.

Also I saw that Vania at Cacti Jardins in Porches has started selling some small grit. It looked quite like aquarium gravel that I have previously bought elsewhere. She is also expanding their range of succulents (more succulents than cacti) https://cactijardins.com/Default.aspx

[Patrick]

The 0-3mm black (not ideal, but that's the colour they have available) gravel looks decent, the 3-10 is way too big for anything other than ground cover or plant beds (goes without saying that these numbers are not to be trusted too much). I will let you know how much of the 0-3 is usable once the bag I bought dries out enough to be sifted.

Actually what do you use it for? Top dressing or as part of the compost mix?

[jfabiao]

The 0-3mm black (not ideal, but that's the colour they have available) gravel looks decent, the 3-10 is way too big for anything other than ground cover or plant beds (goes without saying that these numbers are not to be trusted too much). I will let you know how much of the 0-3 is usable once the bag I bought dries out enough to be sifted.

Actually what do you use it for? Top dressing or as part of the compost mix?

I usually use the red[dish] stuff. Particles in the 1-3 mm range go into the compost mix, the dust is good for rooting cuttings and the bigger particles (4-5mm or so) I use as top dressing. I don't think I will use any of the black variety as top dressing, I suspect it will burn the plants once it gets hit by our sun.

[Patrick]

Thanks, I wish I'd thought of that as I am getting through quite a bit of grit while I do lots of repotting! I'll have to go to the Algarve again!

[anttisepp]

Obrigado Fabião! I've got SIRO CATO substrate from Cacti Jardins. And a smaller sack of substrate "from abroad", another side of Guadiana, Ayamonte. )) Small dark stones seem like not safe because of possible heat damage. As I said I've got white marbel gravel 1cm +/- for an 1 euro per sack and used it.

[habanerocat]

There's some amount of granite cobbles used in the seaside resorts of the Algarve. I do-be tripping over them. I heard they are up the west coast as well. There must be a mega-quarry there somewhere.