Never put a succulent plant in any pot without drainage holes. Just putting
gravel in the bottom isn't good enough. If you must use a ceramic container,
drainage holes are even more important.

Stagnant wet soil will quickly kill the roots and eventually the whole
plant.

The best cactus soil is mostly drainage material in proportion to humus and
if what you buy as cactus soil is dark & humusy it is not at all good for
succulents.

Most succulent plants in the wild grow in a very gravelly mix or little soil
at all in rocky areas.

Builder's sand is made up of angular granules that allow water to pass
through. "Play sand" is beach sand that has rounded granules that compact
and hold water and is not good for potting soil. If in doubt, look at the
material under a hand lens.


"Lee" wrote in message
om...
I read the following from here some time ago:
"Soil Mixes: It is very important that the medium or soil used for
growing cacti & succulents is a fast draining mix. Please do not use
potting soil! Your plants will be grateful. Potting soil retains to
much moisture and does not allow the plants to dry out quickly. Cacti
& succulents like to be thoroughly watered and then allowed to dry
out between watering. Some department stores & home garden centers
sell premixed "Cactus Soil" but I would recommend using either Scotts
Metro-Mix 360 or 510 OR Premier's Pro-Gro 550. With this as a start
you will then want to add pumice, perlite, and or coarse builders sand
Do not use **play sand** or beach sand.) This will improve drainage
even more."

and wonder what the difference between consruction sand and **play
sand**.
I also have a beautiful ceramic pot with no drain hole that i would
like to use to plant an haworthia or Christmas cactus and wonder if it
would need rocks or something in the bottom ... i used to know, but
i'm getting to where i can't remember. i have to collect informtion
and put everthing in the computer so i can refer to it otherwise i
forget, and don't seem to have this subject covered.
i used to come here a lot, but am just recently lurking and posting
again, and have different server than i used to have, and coming back
couldn't remember how to sign my posts. I am Leona and think i had to
sign as Lee H because there was another Lee on board. but not sure.
anyway, since i had to change my e-mail to Leo as lee was already
taken, guess i will start signing as just Leo.
Thanks for any help..Leo