How to Make a Cactus Growing Mix

The prickly cactus is easy to grow, especially for busy people who often say they just don't have the time to water their plants. Cacti grow well in pots, and in many areas pots are the best way to grow them because life outdoors can get a little wet. Give your cactus plant plenty of sunlight, fertilize it three times a year and water it when the growing mix is dry. Cacti thrive when you transplant them into larger pots with fresh potting material, which you can make yourself.

Potting mix
Sand
Gravel or clay pot pieces
Perlite
Vermiculite
Peat moss
Measuring cup
Bucket or large bowl

Instructions

- 1
  Combine your purchased potting mix with perlite and sand if you are growing Christmas cactus, orchid cactus or other epiphytes. Measure three parts purchased mix, one part sand and one part perlite and combine them in a bucket or large bowl.
- 2
  Mix a peat moss-based potting mix with sand or gravel if you are growing desert varieties of cactus. Use two parts sand or gravel and one part peaty potting mix and combine them in a bucket or large bowl.
- 3
  Combine peat moss, vermiculite and perlite for cactus such as agave and aloe, which require very dry soil. Mix one part peat moss, two parts vermiculite and two parts perlite in a bucket or large bowl.

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