![Can You Grow Cactus in Compost Only? [We Did It – Experiment]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjIlMkYwMSUyRnByb2JsZW1zLW9mLXVzaW5nLXB1cmUtY29tcG9zdC0xLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMjAwIiBkYXRhLWg9Ijk2MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Several newbie gardeners have asked if they can use pure compost in their cacti plants. To provide an actual answer, I performed a 60-day experiment of growing cacti using compost as the only planting medium. Growing cactus in compost only harm cactus growth. An experiment conducted on cacti shows brownish-yellow burnt spots on the stem…
![What is Horticultural Grit? [A Gardener’s Best Friend!]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYxMSUyRkcxNTIuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
Horticultural Grit can be a gardener’s best friend in preventing compact and waterlogged soil! How does one use them effectively? Finally, is it horticultural grit or is it horticultural sand? Horticultural Grit is composed of crushed rocks, mainly silica, limestone, quartzite, or a few others. Such stones are 1) extracted from the ground, 2) crushed,…
Perhaps you have cacti that have been growing in those lovely and cute small planters. I love them, but they are not the best for them. Indeed, without you knowing, your cactus is already suffering. You need to take action now! Repot a cactus when 1) the roots start coming out of the container, or…
![Do Cacti Need Fertilizer? When? How?[Experiment With Photos]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYwOSUyRlR5cGVzLU9mLU5hdHVyYWwtRmVydGlsaXplcnMtSW5mb2dyYXBoaWMuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
Feed your cacti plants wrong, and you’ll end up killing them. Despite my years of experience, I decided to help educate gardeners about feeding cactus with a 36-days long experiment on cactus fertilization. The results are just amazing! The rule of thumb, potted cacti need to be fertilized a maximum of twice a year with…
![What Makes Up Cactus Soil? [Guide DIY Recipes]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYxMCUyRkNhY3R1c19Tb2lsX0NDLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMjAwIiBkYXRhLWg9Ijk2MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Choose the wrong type of soil, and your beloved cacti will die pretty quickly. So, what constitutes a healthy soil mix suitable for cacti plants? Hint: You can make your own cacti soil mix! Cactus soil is mainly composed of coarse inorganic particles incorporated with a bit of organic base. The proper growing medium for…
You can always find lots of ready-to-use potting mix for bonsai in garden centers, but they can be pretty expensive. You are thinking of any alternative medium that can equally cultivate healthy bonsai. How about a cacti mix? Only small bonsai trees can successfully thrive in a cacti mix alone thanks to their 1) excellent…
![Drainage in Planter Boxes? [Number, Size]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYwOSUyRk51bWJlci1PZi1Ib2xlcy1QZXItUGxhbnRlci1Cb3gtSW5mb2dyYXBoaWNzLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMjAwIiBkYXRhLWg9Ijk2MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Did the planter box you recently bought come without drainage holes? Are you suddenly wondering if you should drill a couple of holes in there you should leave as it is? Planter boxes need drainage holes to prevent overwatering and to help aerate the soil. Depending on the size, one to four 0.5-1 inch (1.27-2.54…
You’ve left your bag of unused cacti potting mix standing for several months, and you’re in doubt if you can still use it. Does potting soil possibly expire?. An unopened bag of cacti mix lasts up to 5 years, while an opened one, up to a year or more if stored properly in waterproof, sealable…
No gardener wants clear, creepy worms writhing around in their garden soil like they’re straight out of Lovecraft horror stories! However, should you immediately dig them out or give these little worms the benefit of the doubt? The clear worms in the soil are nematodes. The free-living nematodes that eat other organisms in the soil…
Are you wondering if you can plant a cactus exclusively in gravel? I thought about that too back when I first started growing cactus professionally a few years ago. Cactus planted in pure gravel will have a short life span due to the gravel’s lack of essential nutrients and water retention capability needed for cactus…
![How To Rehydrate Peat Moss? [2 Ways]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYwOCUyRlJlaHlkcmF0ZS1QZWF0LU1vc3MtSW5mb2dyYXBoaWMuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
Sometimes rehydrating peat moss can be frustrating. This is particularly evident in peat moss already mixed with potting soil of its tendency to repel water. Is your peat moss lost? Rehydrating peat moss is easily achieved using two simple methods: 1) immersion in boiling water and 2) using commercial soil surfactants which are chemicals that…
![What is Humic Acid? [and How To Use It]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDk2MCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LnlvdXJpbmRvb3JoZXJicy5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYwNyUyRkh1bWljLUFjaWQtVXNlcy1JbmZvZ3JhcGhpY3MuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iOTYwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=)
What exactly is humic acid? Do I need it on my soil? How will it benefit my soil and plants? It can be confusing with varying opinions out there and we will try to clear that up. Humic acid is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in soil and other environments. It is…