Service - soil recipes

Soil

Since cacti have been existing, a lot of cacti friends have been asking a central question: "Which is the right soil to plant my cactus in?".

Sorry, we can't give you the right answer on this question although we have 180 years of experience. We are still improving our recipes. The ultimate, the one and only cacti-soil is not existing yet. Even the soil, you can buy in our gardening company, is and will be altered and improved over and over again; we try to create the best soil, based on our experience and the wishes and input of a lot of cacti friends. That is our "recipe" for best results. Whether our earth is the right one for you we don't know, but we definitely think it's worth a try. Our cacti soil is often used as a standard ground for a lot of plants. To make a specific, individualized soil, take our soil and mix it with your favourite add-ons.

Some of this soil mixtures we introduce to you now - perhaps you can get some inspiration for your own creation - and we would like to hear about your experience and perhaps we can publish your recipe right here, on our website.... We hope you will have a lot of fun in mixing your individual soil!

Special soil for cacti

Ariocarpus - Mixture

By © H.F. Haage 2001

50 % of Kakteen-Haage's cacti earth
35 % of Loam (fat, yellow, well ventilated)
10 % of fertilizing plaster, or plaster milk
5 % of bark compost

We use this mixture for Astrophytum and Turbinicarpus too.

Soil for epiphytes

Kakteen-Haage´s Epicacti-Soil

by © H. Wilhelm 1999

4 barrows of bark
2 barrows of cacti soil
1 barrow of white peat
0,5 barrow of coarse Perlite
400 g of shredded horn
500 g of potassium fertilizer
500 g of phosphorus fertilizer

Dick`s Mix

By © Dick Kohlschreiber 2001 [ more information about the author ]

2 Parts of leaf-compost
2 Parts of peat compost or basic soil
2 Parts of Perlite (middle)
1 Part of bark
1 cup balanced depot fertilizer

Mix for Aporocactus

By © Chuck Everson - Rainbow Gardens 1982 [ more information about the author ]

4 Parts of leaf-compost (alternative azalea-soil)
1 Part of middle/fine shredded bark of pine
2 Parts of Perlite (or middle fine pumice)
1/3 Part of quartz sand
2 Parts of coarse char-coal
every ft³ (0,028 m³) 0,5 cup of bone-flour
Chuck recommend a monthly fertilization with a so called 5-2-2 fertilizer from April till October, for example 1 teaspoon "Fish-Emulsion" for every gallon (3,785 l) of water.

A small material guide

Leaf-compost link

Our experience is that it's very hard to get hold of it (the former method: go into the forest and collect it: but that will be punished - nowadays).
The production of this special earth is demanding, we have started our first try last year. For everyone, who wants to produce this soil, here are the to-do's:
pile up the leaves (please use the leaves of the beech tree; avoid leaves which contain tanning acid, such as the nut tree) on a big staple (best time: autumn) and fix it on the sides. The next step is to let it rot. It's very important, that the leaves are not to damp (humid); be careful it doesn't contain other ingredients, which could cause unwanted rottenness. Turn over the staple at least twice a year. With doing so you will reduce the structures and the volume of the staple and you will supply with fresh air. You will notice the decrease in volume, in the end you will have only a small amount left. After 2 or 3 years you will receive the best known soil for plants.

Perlite link

Perlite is a very light volcano rock (Aluminium-Silicate), which can be used for improving the condition of ground. Especially if your ground contains a lot of loam or clay, Perlite will break up the structure and the water transport will get better. In case your floor doesn't contain this heavy substratum be aware that the Perlite can be washed out easily and will rise to the surface of the ground. Often you will find Perlite in building areas. Attention please! Such material from building sites may contain subjects which could harm/ damage your plants. It may even be toxic and contaminate your ground.

Lavalit link

Lavalit is of volcanic origin, too. Mostly red, the Lavalit, compared to Perlite or pumice, is heavy and very porous. It is often used - especially as rough granulate - for the mixtures of bigger plants. Lavalit will improve the air and water balance of your soil.

Loam link

You can find it in various regions of Germany and the rest of the world. If your ground is some sort of loam, dig a hole (1-2 metres deep) until you find pure, yellow loam. Take this yellow loam and dry it (do not let it get wet again until usage). When dried loam will become sand-alike, fine soil. Screen it a couple of times (stones etc. need to be extracted) to get it lump-free. If you can't find any loam near you simply buy it from us.


quartz sand link

Quartz sand consists of nearly glasslike small pebbles. It has big advances if you use it during your seed season - if you cover your seed box slightly with quartz sand, the seeds and the small and sensitive sprouts are protected against "bad" influences from the outside. But be assured they can get enough light through the glasslike cover so that they are able to grow shoots. The microclimate, which exists between the pebbles, is very helpful for growing your plants.