A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Homemade Potting Mix for Aloe vera

Hello everyone. Just signed up and was impressed with the forums.

Question: If using coconut coir and granite grit for Aloe Vera potting mix. What are the best ratio's for a good mix? DemoMan

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question. I haven't tried home made soil for my aloe yet but I may if what I am trying now doesn't work. I NEVER seem to have any luck with these so this year I am doing something different. I always used regular potting soil but this time I planted one in some cactus soil from the store. Have had this one for 3 months now (a record for me!)and it is doing beautifully. Looks like the soil may have been my problem. Maybe regular potting soil doesn't drain well enough.

furlong,

Yeah, that's my problem. I thought I would go with a 50/50 mix of coir/grit with a little dolomite lime in with it. But, I'm like you, I can kill any plant, but the aloe vera is really easy(no challenge at all).

Yeah, I read just the other night that you should pot with cactus mix. That's the first I had heard of that one....DemoMan :p

The best proportion is the one that works for you. As long as the mix has some good porous material there will be sufficient air pockets for the roots.

The key for you is to water appropriately for the mix that you use. The more porous the mix, the more frequently you will need to water.

Will,
Thanks for the info. I went with the equal parts mix....DemoMan