Mixing Your Own Soils

Mixture #1 - is a basic mix for use with most types of plants:

3 parts organic matter (peat, humus, or sawdust)
1 part sand, perlite, or vermiculite (or a mixture of these)

Mixture #2 - is used for acid-loving plants:

4 parts organic matter
1 part sand, perlite, or vermiculite
Note: for best results, at least one part of the organic matter should be leafmold.

Mixture #3 - for Cacti and Succulents (except the tropical Cacti), and other plants that need good drainage:

3 parts organic matter
2 parts sand, perlite, or vermiculite
Note: for best results, use fine gravel (such as that used in aquariums) for one part of the sand.

Mixture #4 - for potting up newly-rooted cuttings of most plants:

2 parts organic matter
1 parts sand, perlite, or vermiculite

Mixture #5 - for newly-rooted cuttings of acid-loving plants:

2 parts organic matter
2 parts sand, perlite, or vermiculite
Note: for best results, use one part leafmold for the organic matter.

Mixture #6 - especially for the tropical Cacti, most Bromeliads, and some Orchids:

3 parts bark chips
1 part organic matter
1 part sand, perlite, or vermiculite