Yesterday I potted my string of heart (propped in sphagnum moss) and string of tears (propped in water). Reading the suggestions here, I used cactus soil – added in a handful of perlite for extra aeration.
Since they were being potted for the first time, I tried to give both pots a good soaking of water. But the soil is so hydroponic that even after sitting in water for a whole 12+ hours it’s still floating! Is this normal? Should I wait longer to see if the soil will soak up any water?
I tried adding some water on top too so they look wet on top
by s_duskshadow
2 Comments
I like to use at least 50% grit for my strings. And when I am potting or repotting I usually put the soil in a pot and bottom water the soil only while I’m watering my other plants. If the soil is super hydrophobic and just floats like that then I mix it up with a bamboo skewer or poke at it with my finger and that helps. Then I let it drip dry and make a hole in the soil for the plant/roots.
I think if you added more grit the soil would be much less hydrophobic too
Adding perlite to potting mix can often cause hydrophobic soil if you don’t use a sieve to first remove the perlite dust. Then, I rinse the perlite to really get it off.