BCSS - Forum

Thanks Mike.

I use 50:50 cat litter and grit and it doesn't feel like I water more often, though maybe I do slightly. What balances out any increase in frequency is how little water's needed to wet the whole lot and this really speeds up watering. I like that there's no apparent degeneration in the mix over time - I don't feel like I need to shake off some of the old mix when I repot and I doubt that, 20 years from now, the oldest soil is going to be set like rock against the oldest part of the rootball.

Herts Mike wrote: ↑Sat Feb 16, 2019 3:52 pm have repotted a dozen Stapeliads into pur cat litter

Do you mean purr cat litter?

Am trying this. Currently with JI but for seed germination. But will try some 100% for plants

Mike,

You and I grow many common plants... and you live very nearby! Beautiful pachypodium.

I grow my caudiciforms in pure pumice and nearly always have done. The only exception is pachycaul trees. I've always kept them growing in a very pumice heavy medium but have introduced 20-30% JI for extra nutrition.

All of my pumice has been purchased from Bob Potter (Toobees) and it's excellent.

Not a cheap solution but if you want to try pumice and have an ikea locally they sell this
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/ind ... -00317650/

Herts Mike wrote: ↑Sat Feb 16, 2019 1:51 pm Where do you get pumice?

I've bought mine from friends in Belgium and Germany and collected 100-150 litres when over for ELK. Not sure what'll happen this September, as one friend has passed away and the other has sold his collection due to advancing age. It doesn't sound as though there's much difference though between using pumice and using moler clay, so I guess I'll go to Europarts.

Bob Potter sells pumice and will post it or you can collect it from him if he is at an show or giving a talk, Exotica/specks always grew all plants in pure pumice.

Mike, nice looking larryleachia there, cultivation tips, mine are nearly annuals

Tina wrote: ↑Sun Feb 17, 2019 12:04 pm Bob Potter sells pumice and will post it or you can collect it from him if he is at an show or giving a talk, Exotica/specks always grew all plants in pure pumice.

Mike, nice looking larryleachia there, cultivation tips, mine are nearly annuals

Yes I was looking at the Larryleachia with envious eyes.

I have been using pure pumice for my lithops and other mesembs, anacampseros, avonia and adromischus for over 10 years. It works perfectly. I don't fertilize as I aim to grow compact plants under natural half-day light in Germany, but I refresh the pumice every 2-3 years. I have occasional mealies but it's rather manageable.

I don't mean to advertise or anything but I have been documenting this experience for over 10 years in my blog: http://lithops-stories.blogspot.com