Well Draining Soilless Potting Medium

It bulks up potting mixes without adding a lot of weight and once wet it holds water fairly well.

Well draining soilless potting medium.

Perhaps a better description of well draining succulent soil mix would be extra drainage or amended drainage. Organic potting mixes are chemical free and made from natural organic materials. Just as importantly it s well draining yet water retentive. Sphagnum peat moss is well draining and well aerated but it s very low in available nutrients and it has an acidic ph typically ranging between 3 5 and 4 5.

This blend of coarse materials is designed for many kinds of orchids. If the potting soil feels too sandy more peat moss should be added. Yes potting soil. Sand improves drainage and aeration but doesn t retain water.

Peat not only holds water well but also drains easily. Succulent potting soil needs adequate drainage to keep water from remaining on the shallow roots of these plants for any length of time. In addition to these common mediums other materials such as bark and coconut coir can be used. If the potting soil feels too sticky extra sand and peat moss should be added.

Proper potting soil for succulents should encourage the entire pot to. Bark is often added to improve drainage and promote air circulation. Sphagnum peat is lightweight and inexpensive. Most soilless mixes are predominantly sphagnum peat moss.

Adjust the texture of the medium to create a loose well drained mixture. It is also lightweight and inexpensive. Orchid potting mix improves drainage and helps air reach roots. Granted until you get the peat thoroughly moistened the particles can be very unpleasant to work with.

Orchid potting mix usually doesn t have fertilizer or moisture control pellets. Sand feels gritty and clay feels sticky. However perlite which is commonly found in many types of potting soil is another option. Limestone is added to peat based potting mixes to help balance the ph.

Coarse sand is another medium used in soilless mixes. In addition this type of medium is slightly acidic making it great for seed starting. Depending on the type it is reasonably lightweight.