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It would be natural to gravitate toward a cactus and succulent option, but Schlumbergera is a rainforest epiphyte, not a desert cactus. This type of product usually contains perlite or vermiculite, the water hogs of the amendments.
Moving along in your shopping, you’ll find options designed for orchids.
Most orchids are also epiphytes, and products for them generally contain coconut coir or bark chips.
Bark is the quickest drying of the water-absorbing materials. Both bark and coir disintegrate and compact over time, but work well when combined with other ingredients.
Why not take advantage of the best features of products made for both cacti and orchids, and adjust their tendency to oversaturate with a third additive?
A handy formula for a soilless potting mix, ideal for your Christmas cactus is:
- 1 part cactus and succulent mix
- 1 part orchid mix
- 1 part horticultural pumice, sand, or fine gravel
Thoroughly combine and fill a container with adequate drainage holes.
This blend is texturally-rich, so it’s airy and lightweight. This gives the roots room to breathe, and excess water drains away with ease.
Where to Buy
Ready to make your own soilless potting mix? Here’s where to get the ingredients:
There are numerous cactus and succulent products available, but I particularly like Tank’s-Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix.
Tank’s-Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix
This product combines horticultural pumice, coconut coir, and organic compost.
Find Tank’s-Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix now in 1.5-cubic foot packages from Arbico Organics.
For the orchid mix, this all-natural product contains a mixture of charcoal, coconut chips (coir), pine bark, and sponge rock (perlite).
You can find all-natural Orchid Potting Mix in four-quart packages from Perfect Plants Nursery.
And to optimize aeration and drainage, horticultural pumice is an ideal option.
You can find horticultural pumice in a variety of package sizes from Rurtsva via Amazon.
A Custom Fit
It’s just like with people. Sometimes, one size just doesn’t fit all – especially when your name says cactus, but you’re really an epiphyte unaccustomed to having your feet in the dirt, let alone when it’s wet. Geez!
With a nutrient-rich, aerated, well-draining substrate for support and sustenance, tailored specifically to its needs, your Christmas cactus can enjoy its best indoor life.
Do you use a soil-based or soilless potting mix for your Christmas cactus? Share your tips in the comments section below!
If you found this article informative, you’re sure to enjoy these additional articles on Christmas cacti next:
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Nan Schiller
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