Pie'oh'Pah Posted February 1, 2014 Hello All I have a new button cactus which has been grown using the following: ""Just use a soiless mix, so perlite, scoria and some small bits of bark you can add some propagation sand if you sift it and throw away the small stuff only use the big bits.Then just use a cacti fertiliser like "chempak cacti fertaliser" its available on ebay, and use every second feed! Only during the growth season."" This is quite different to the profile of my plants and also those I have received from others. Does anyone else use a similar method? The bit about bark seems particularly strange as I often sieve mine to remove these. The plant is in great shape and I would not like to mess with it too much. Thanks again for everyone's input and help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brendo Posted February 1, 2014 I'd follow his advice, except the bark. I would definitely use some coarse sand and perhaps some small bits of gravel or loam. Just my $0.02 Out of curiosity, what kind of cactus is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pie'oh'Pah Posted February 1, 2014 She is a fricii form. gigantea Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M S Smith Posted February 1, 2014 Check out this article called "The Stone Eaters." http://xerophilia.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/The-Stone-Eaters.pdf ~Michael~ 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pie'oh'Pah Posted February 2, 2014 Check out this article called "The Stone Eaters." http://xerophilia.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/The-Stone-Eaters.pdf ~Michael~ Thanks so much that is awesome! This is about the best text I have seen. Will be printing this tomorrow as my new nightly read. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrodinger's Khat Posted February 3, 2014 How does the fertiliser go? Is it any good? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
selfsufficient Posted February 3, 2014 Check out this article called "The Stone Eaters." http://xerophilia.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/The-Stone-Eaters.pdf ~Michael~ Thanks Michael, that was highly illuminating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pie'oh'Pah Posted February 4, 2014 How does the fertiliser go? Is it any good? No idea I can't see anything on here about it but I bought a twin pack from the UK. Normally I am an organic garden only but given how awesome this guys buttons are I am willing to follow on blind faith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrodinger's Khat Posted February 4, 2014 I was having a look at it on Ebay, I might give it a whirl, how long did it take from the UK? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pie'oh'Pah Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) I was having a look at it on Ebay, I might give it a whirl, how long did it take from the UK? Sorry no idea I only bought it on the 1st of this month. Will update once received. Started reading 'Stone Eaters' last night, wow it can be heavy going. Great information but a lot of new terminology to learn, seems like it is going to be a long term reference manual. Thanks again '~Michael~' for digging that out. Deleted comment re "Sourcing Scoria" and moved to the following topic: http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=37342#entry453207 Edited February 4, 2014 by Pie'oh'Pah Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nut Posted February 4, 2014 I've read the stone eaters it changed my perspective on cacti soils in a big way,it's a fantastic,fascinating read. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) Removed... Edited February 7, 2014 by Quixote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hostilis Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) I saw a couple examples of what they use. And it has a lot of information on each kind of mineral you can use in mineral soil and what you shouldn't use. I thought it was extremely helpful and that your (Quixote) "summary" is inaccurate. It's not a guide to hold your hand and tell you exactly what to do. That wouldn't be helpful. That would be like spoon feeding. It is to educate you on it so you can make an informed decision on how to make your own mix with the minerals available in your area. Edited February 7, 2014 by hostilis 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) Removed... Edited February 7, 2014 by Quixote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pie'oh'Pah Posted February 17, 2014 Got the Chempak fertilizer today about two weeks from order to door. Will feed a couple just this as a control group to see if it is better than good old worm tea. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
