What are your thoughts on the following for monstera (various), pothos and philodendrons, maybe even Thanksgiving cactus? I was thinking this would be a great all around for winter when it’s very humid in our home and many mixes take forever to dry out. In summer I would top with more castings and possibly FoxF to give a bit more moisture retention and added nutrients if neded, depending on the plant.
5%-Homemade Worm Castings
10%-Grade 4 Perlite
10%-Grade 3a Vermiculite
10%-Pumice
20%-Fox Farm, Ocean & Forest (has casting but adding 5% more will bring total closer to the ideal 10%)
20% Orchid Bark
25% Coconut Husk
Would the FF hold too much moisture and compact? I’ve never used it before but was given a bag by a friend. Haven’t even opened it yet! If so then up the perlite or pumice to how much and decrease the FF by how much? Am I overthinking this?
I’ve always used a mix of all the above without any added potting soils. The good thing is no root rot, down side is slow growth unless I remember to add fertilizer every time I water.
-had to add a pic of my worms!-
by Seriously-Worms
5 Comments
Forgot to add…the plants are all under grow lights so do grow year round, even in winter. It’s just slower than some others I’ve seen.
Commenting for the advice 🙂
I never ever use potting soil with aroids. Holds way too much water and compacts.
Oh my god I thought you were about to pot up your plant in worms 😂
I feel like this is too much moisture retention. The soil, vermiculite, worm castings, and coco husk all are positive retention ingredients. That puts 60% of your mix as moisture retaining organics. My recommendation is never more than 33% moisture retaining organics, I myself never go over 20%. My typical mix is perlite, bio char, orchid bark, and coco chips.