What’s a good recommended fertilizer/ratio for succulents and cacti? Better yet, tell me your favorite go-to! I’ve seen so many mixed reviews and suggestions. I know houseplants are recommended 20-20-20, but it varies on what I’ve seen for cacti and succulents.
Jack’s Classic 202020 works perfect for my anthuriums and alocasia’s
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Cacti and succulents prefer higher phosphorus and potassium (the second and third numbers) but you could also use a balanced fertilizer. If your fertilizer is 20-20-20, I would recommend diluting it further :) I use 2-7-7 for cacti and succulents, 9-3-6 for most other plants, and plan to get a relatively balanced but slightly higher phosphorus and potassium fertilizer for when my Hoyas are larger (to encourage blooms)
2 J'aime Thank you!!
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After going deep on the “right” materials, I’m currently doing this. A few rocks from my yard, some of the common “cactus succulent” mix, a bunch of pumice, and some smaller rocks - lately it’s lava due to how it keeps coolish in the blazing July heat; river rocks were incredibly hot in my temporary greenhouse, so I switched to brick (slower heat, holds more of it at night). With all that stuff in a cup, I would say it’s about 30% “soil” (for lack of a better term), 50% pumice, a layer of little lava pieces for roots to grab onto.
2 J'aime I read about vermiculite and planted some things with small stones and vermiculite ONLY. The only soil in the pot comes from whatever was hanging on the roots. I found this to be immediately upsetting to desert plants (Vermiculite heats up, holds some water but away from the roots, and this material seemed to be leeching a couple of my big dudes). however it seems like the answer for cactus that grow in more humid spots (see my Uebelmannia). Have fun.
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