Cat litter

[MatDz]

In the current CactusWorld a mix of a 1:1:1:1 ratio of grit, moler clay (cat litter), perlite and organic matter is suggested, I would personally replace perlite with e.g. pumice or just a bit more of the grit and clay as it is everywhere just not in the pot after a few waterings.

[Paul D]

In the current CactusWorld a mix of a 1:1:1:1 ratio of grit, moler clay (cat litter), perlite and organic matter is suggested, I would personally replace perlite with e.g. pumice or just a bit more of the grit and clay as it is everywhere just not in the pot after a few waterings.

Well, as you know Mat if you ask 10 people you will get 10 different mixes Lots of people don't like perlite. Pumice is great but is expensive; I use it when I don't have to mix it with other stuff so I can recycle it. I use perlite in my compost-containing mix for many of my plants, because I top-dress with gravel and water from below, so the perlite stays where I put it. I like it because it lightens the mix and gives air. At the end of the day it is just more drainage material and can be replaced with a variety of substrates. I know others who use 1:1:1 compost, moler clay and grit, missing out the other 1/4.

[MatDz]

Absolutely, I commented to show exactly that. As could be seen in the other thread, plenty just use 1:1 JI and grit, but I found the rather hard way that this mix stays wet way too long indoors, even with added ventilation and quite high temperatures that should aid evaporation.

So yes, start with something, kill some plants, adjust, and repeat

[Herts Mike]

Now it says it’s unavailable!

[MatDz]

The curse of BCSS!

[Tina]

Hadn't you ordered first before posting ?

[Herts Mike]

No!

Duh..,,

[iann]

FWIW, my mix is something like 2:2:1 JI:cat litter:grit. I find it is too light without the grit. Mixes based on the cat litter don't seem to get saturated the way a straight grit mix would, but they do stay "damp" for longer than you might expect. Perlite is the opposite, it hardly absorbs any water at all. I used to use it and years later occasionally came across a poor plant still in a perlite mix after wondering why it always seemed thirsty

[Darren S]

FWIW, my mix is something like 2:2:1 JI:cat litter:grit. I find it is too light without the grit. Mixes based on the cat litter don't seem to get saturated the way a straight grit mix would, but they do stay "damp" for longer than you might expect. Perlite is the opposite, it hardly absorbs any water at all. I used to use it and years later occasionally came across a poor plant still in a perlite mix after wondering why it always seemed thirsty

This is fairly close to my default mix for cacti now, which reassures me as you are not far away.

[Tina]

No!

Duh..,,

Oh mike,
how much you offering for a bag, mine are arriving tomorrow