In specialist shops, cacti usually lead a sad life in unsuitable potting soil. Reason enough to professionally plant the prickly gems immediately after purchase. These instructions explain how to do it without painful injuries. Use our tips for the perfect cactus soil.
Cacti do not belong in potting soil
Bargains mix cactus soil themselves - this is how it works
The ideal cactus soil should give the plant support, be easy to root through and absorb water well. A loose, mineral mixture with humic components meets these requirements. To avoid having to resort to expensive special substrates, simply mix the soil yourself. The following recipes have proven themselves in practice:
- 60 percent pricking soil and 20 percent each of pumice and lava granules
- 60 percent succulent soil, 10 percent lime-free quartz sand (€15.85) 10 percent expanded clay (€19.73) and 10 percent pumice
For cacti that are very sensitive to moisture, we recommend a purely mineral soil consisting of 40 percent lava granules (€13.99) and pumice gravel, 10 percent lime-free quartz sand and 10 percent vermiculite. It is important to note that the cactus soil has a pH value of less than 7. Therefore, please do not use any calcareous substrate components such as construction sand.
Plant cacti - a short guide
If the cactus substrate and pot are ready, please arm yourself against the thorns with sturdy gloves before planting. Alternatively, enclose the cactus with several layers of newspaper or two sheets of Styrofoam. How to do it right:
- The best time is during the months of March to May
- Create a drainage made of expanded clay or quartz gravel in the pot or bowl
- Fill in a first layer of fresh soil
- Repot the cactus to remove the substrate with a wooden stick
When planting, please keep the previous planting depth. As you pour in the soil, tap the pot repeatedly on the tabletop to ensure even distribution. For the next 14 days, the cactus can recover from the stress in a partially shaded location and is not watered.
tips
Hardy cactus species cause a sensation in the garden bed. So that the survivors feel comfortable, we recommend a sunny, rain-protected location. In a gravel bed or rock garden on a slope, the undemanding plants will find the ideal, sandy-dry soil for vital growth and magnificent flowers.