[winder]

Since installation of the 1000 Watt metal halide, the Hoodia I have from Stonehenge is very happy.

This winter, some cacti will go indoors under the light while others rest indoors in a cool, dry place.  They will be on a 2-month shift, half resting and half growing under the light.  This way I shouldn't have to threaten any with the cold and damp garage that rotted two cacti last year - totem pole aka Lophocereus schottii mostrose and the tetra-pupping Mytrillocactus geometrizans.

The other advantage about the light is that I will get to see sooner if the new potting mix is really worth all I hear about it.

A blend of porous yet hard granular material called Turface and coconut coir.  This is supposed to set easily, but drain well too so the roots don't soak and so they get plenty of air.  I am thrilled to try this and get rid of the sandy crap I made.

[anti-light]

winder... would you explain what your crappy sand mixture consists of?

out of curiosity

[winder]

Sand that packed densely with the compost I had mixed with it, maybe 4 parts sand to 1 part compost.  The sand was fine and did not wet well and did not drain well.  Water would puddle on top and slowly seep through.  The roots were all clustered against the wall of the terra cotta pots.

In the more open mixes I have seen, the roots form a network through the mix and the mix drains quickly.

[anti-light]

hum....ive been playing with a high mineral mix... for somethings atleast...

pumice stone crushed up.... perlite.... sand... gypsum....compost

it dries out pretty fast i think..... and it does compact.... but i find it breaks up somewhat....once dry.....


i know that cheap sand will make a cement like soil.....


peace