Substrates

The Desert SOIL ® Cactaceae substrate has the appropriate properties for the development of all your succulent plants: a light texture that allows excess water to be evacuated together with a small organic fraction that favors nutrient retention and adequate rooting. Improve the sustenance of your cacti and other succulents now with Desert Soil® Cactaceae.

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This mineral is highly porous, allowing it to store about 40% of its weight in moisture, ensuring water supply under adverse conditions. It facilitates root aeration, reducing substrate compaction, without promoting the accumulation of salts or altering the pH over time. It has a characteristic bluish-white color. It is a mineral component ACTIVE , since it has a high cationic exchange capacity similar to clays (phyllosilicates) but without the compaction drawbacks of these. Its use in growing substrate mixtures is very recent. It is never used in a proportion greater than 15% by volume in the final mixture. In the cultivation of cacti and succulents, it is the one with the greatest reserve water due to its open intraparticle micropores. It is also capable of ad absorb volatile organic compounds. In summary, Celtonite: Great pantry of nutrients. ACTIVE mineral substrate. Reserve water available for cacti due to their open micropores. Reversible rehydration.

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Vermiculite is a mineral formed by silicates of iron, magnesium and the mica group. It originates mainly from the hydrothermal alteration of biotite. Its color is brown and its laminar structure, containing interlaminar water, can retain water up to 5 times its weight. It has a porosity of 95% that facilitates the aeration of the substrates. It also has a high CEC (Cationic Exchange Capacity), retains nutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, among others, and releases them progressively. It is a light mineral and easy to handle. In summary: Maximum water retention not available. Recommended for seedbeds . Nutrient storehouse.

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Diatomaceous Earth is a very porous silica-based compound formed from the fossilized remains of algae called diatoms. To improve aeration, mainly use coarser granulometries, since fine ones can have the opposite effect on the substrate. It is also attributed natural insecticide and nematicide properties. In summary, diatomaceous earth: Low aeration capacity. Biocide. Avoid dispersion of dust. The substance can affect the lungs. This can lead to mild fibrosis.

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The popular akadama, used in Bonsai cultivation, can be used in mixtures for the cultivation of certain species of rare and especially delicate cacti. The mineral particles of akadama, which can be presented in different granulometries, have the exclusive property of being able to be fragmented by the roots of the plants , which gives the roots, which grow in this culture medium, to generate a wide network. with small rootlets that favor slow and compact growth as expected of bonsais. And in summary for the akadama we have: pH buffering. Prevents the accumulation of salts. The roots penetrate the particles and end up breaking them up. Improved structure. Not reusable. It degrades over time.

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Sand-sized material, the result of the weathering or degradation of the mineral called quartz from a metamorphic rock known as quartzite whose essential chemical composition is ONLY Silicon Oxide (SiO2), which is known as SILICE . It is an essential component, present in different quantities in all commercial substrates for cacti and succulent plants. The most used size is particles with a diameter greater than 0.6 mm, from a granulometric point of view. The three points to highlight about silica sand are: Its great DRAINAGE CAPACITY. It is a heavy material. But it gives stability to the mixtures. It is totally inert. Reusable.

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Three sizes. Three functions. The volcanic peak. USES OF THE VOLCANIC PICÓN. ⚗️Its physical, chemical and hydrophysical properties will allow this mineral component to be used differently depending on its granulometry (average particle size). 🔹It has a total porosity of 71% and thanks to the internal pores it has an aeration capacity of 48.5%, which is higher than perlite. It does not retain nutrients (very low Cation Exchange Capacity) and has a pH of 7.5 1️⃣Picón fine. With homogeneous grain sizes of 2-4 m. ✔️It is used to make growing substrate mixtures. It should not be mixed with particles of other larger minerals. We know that mixtures with homogeneous sizes work better regarding drainage of water in the substrate. ✔️Can be used as coverage in mini-sized or slow-growing xerophytes: Lithops, Haworthias, etc. 2️⃣ Medium Picón. With granulometry of 5-7 mm. Ideal as a covering aggregate for medium-sized plants. Mainly grown in pots. 3️⃣Thick Picón. With sizes of 8-12 mm. Perfect for large plants and pots and for application as coverage in garden areas. ADVANTAGES of PICÓN AS COVERAGE ✔️In irrigation season, we will have to water less as we lose less water due to surface evaporation ✔️Thermal cushioning of the substrate ✔️Prevents proliferation of weeds ✔️Keeps the necks of plants ventilated: dry necks = healthy necks. ✔️Slow contribution of iron to the soil Ahhh and the rough surface without sharp edges and edges is soft and respectful of the tender tissues of our cacti and succulents. Which one do you use and how do you use it?

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Perlite is a material that requires industrial manipulation despite being of volcanic origin. It is the mineral component with the lowest density, which makes it tremendously light . It is the most widely used component to facilitate the aeration of substrate mixtures. There are large deposits of this material in Italy, a nearby country where most of what is used in Spain comes from. Its affordable price, ease of handling and transportation and the fact that it is practically chemically inert and has a neutral pH, would give it preference in mixtures where a high percentage of mineral elements is sought, but without making the final substrate too heavy. Perlite has about 14% closed intraparticle pores, so its total* effective porosity would be 81.4%. As a summary of the perlite: Nº1 IN AERATION. THE GREATEST LIGHTNESS of all mineral ingredients. Lasts 3 - 4 years. It disintegrates into smaller particles over time.

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Arlite or expanded clay is a very light ceramic aggregate manufactured by heating pieces of clay in a rotary kiln at approximately 1200°C. In the lower layer we recommend placing a layer of Arlite, it is an expanded clay that promotes drainage, preventing rotting of the plant due to excess water. When the apices of the roots collide with the Arlite, growth is slowed and the roots bifurcate, making the root network larger throughout the entire substrate , instead of the roots ending up emerging from the bottom of the pot. In addition, it prevents the substrate from being lost through the drainage holes and has a thermal cushioning effect. Prevents rotting of the plant due to excess water. Improves moisture retention. Provides better oxygenation to the roots. inert substrate. Reusable.

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