In Search of a Good Soil Recipe
Over the last several years I've tried to find or create the optimal potting soil for growing Aloes and Agave. The premixed soils I bought from landscape supply yards didn't work out - even the so called "succulent mixes". They were too sandy and heavy or contained too much wood mulch (which I'm pretty sure ended up leaching nitrogen from the soil). Everything seemed to have drainage issues over time as finer components of the soil were washed toward the bottom of the pots - which led to water-logged roots. I've also noticed different soil compositions used in potted plants from other nurseries. Some prefer a large percentage of coconut coir which seems to keep the soil too moist. There is a lot written online about the best succulent mix but nothing I could find that referred to a practical test of different soil compositions. It's time to put on those high school lab coats and test our way to an answer. Below are some of the soil components I used in t
