Starting point.
I frequently get asked which brand of potting soil is best or which brand I use. My answer is that I mix my own. I’m not an expert or particularly fussy. I’ve just found that, with my home environment and care routine, the standard stuff doesn’t work for me.
I’m an attentive grower, and a bit of an over-waterer. I need a mix that has some moisture retention, but with some drainage and aeration qualities as well. After some experimenting I found that, for me, equal parts of potting soil, coco coir, perlite, and coco husk chunks works well. I’m old-fashioned enough that I like a bit of dirt. The coir and husk chunks are organic and renewable. The coir gives me moisture retention and the chunks provide aeration and drainage. The perlite is there for drainage (be careful not to inhale perlite dust when you’re mixing it).
This is my basic mix. I’ll add more of some ingredients or make other adjustments depending on the plant I’m potting. I don’t add amenities, such as worm castings, to the basic mix. Those I apply on a plant by plant basis.
There are lots of other alternatives to some of my ingredients: pumice for perlite, orchid bark for husk chunks, etc. There are also lots of other recipes. The idea is that, if you find that the standard stuff doesn’t really suit you and your collection, create a mix of your own.
Watch the video below for the recipe.
I’ll keep you posted.
