I have a soil mix that i use for my houseplants (from this recipe: https://youtu.be/B9CGl_JiZB4?si=BxRLn-Q7jzd9Ydq6) but literally every time i transport a plant into it either from propagation or from repotting it dies almost immediately. Clearly there is something wrong but i checked so many other mix recipes and the ingredients and ratios seem to be similar so i cant tell what is wrong with it or how to correct it 💀💀 any thoughts on this soil mix?
I have a moisture meter and i water my plants when the soil is dry and i keep my plants either in direct or indirect sun depending on their type and needs
by dalwhouwu
13 Comments
could be the size of the pot/overpotting as well. but depending on what you’re planting in there they probably want more grit. it looks pretty organic to my eye.
Chunky well draining mixes are great but they take getting used to as they don’t retain water like potting soil from the shops.. I tend to soak the mixture 24 hours before I repot so I’m starting with a known moisture level. Also clear pots are amazing for knowing the health of the roots and the dampness of the soil here. Bottom watering is helpful, it soak for 10 minutes and then drain. I switch between top and bottom watering as well.
Buy a bag of potting soil, end of story.
Just mix in pumice or more grit. If it’s for succulent I have much success with around 40% organic or less
It honestly looks like theres a whole lotta dirt/sandy dirt hahaha
It could be infected with fungi.
Might be what you’re trying to grow.
Also note that most people in the subreddit seem to frown on moisture meters- I’ve never used one and have no intelligent opinion on them. I just water the plants when they need it, based on experience and observation.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your mix; without more data, the best I could do is guess that it’s a watering thing- too much, or not enough.
EDIT: Get an [umbrella grass](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cyperus-alternifolius/) and keep it constantly moist-to-wet. This is a species that will grow well with the pot half immersed in water, as its natural environment is wetlands. It’ll take full sun. Can’t overwater it.
Different plants need different things. Some plants will thrive in that soil mix and some will immediately die. Some plants want the soil to dry completely between waterings, some want stable humidity. You need to figure out what the specific plant you are trying to grow needs to survive and thrive.
Maybe add some mushroom compost. Soil might be dead
Define watering “when the soil is dry.” Considering you are using a moisture meter, which I do as well, are you waiting until it says 1 or 2? If so, your plants are dying because you are underwatering them. Most plants need to be watered at 3. The soil mix you made is meant for aroids (meaning plants from the Araceae family), such as monsteras, philodendron, and pothos. Monsteras need to be watered at 3-4, pothos at 2-3, and philodendrons at 4-6. Only cacti/succulents and similar plants should be watered at 1.
Secondly, what houseplants are you putting in this mix? This mix works for aroids, but other houseplants will likely need a different mix.
where are the nutrients coming from? this mix seems dead, unless you’re growing carnivores or plants with little nutrient need you should add some regular soil atleast 30-50%
Did you make this soil yourself, or did you purchase it?
I worked for a major wholesale greenhouse my entire life until retirement a year ago.
It kinda looks like substrate we used in small pots commercially.
Eventually in early 2000’s, we started adding more peat (and rockwool… but I doubt you’ll ever find that)
The best soil you could ever make at home comes from 1- compost (organic matter)
2- peat and potting soil
3- vermiculite
4- Perlite. Back in the 70’s true perlite wasn’t just little white Styrofoam balls.
It was true organic soil additives.
I am NOT promoting a company here, but Miracle gro planting soil is a decent additive. There are many other new companies that sell less expensive product.
I used to tell my customers to “ feel the edge of the bag”. If it feels soft and spongy- use that with your mix.
If the bag of soil feels like it has little sticks, feels “ grainy” (for lack of better words) ignore it completely.
Good Luck!
(Formerly The Plant Lady from Dan Schantz Greenhouse) 🌼
If *everything* is dying then I highly doubt it’s the soil. A plant can survive in soil regardless of quality, and this is not even close to the worst I’ve seen. What are you doing when/after repotting? Do you water straight afterwards?