Author: Eunice

Best Soil For Aloe Vera Plant

The juicy aloe Vera plant is one of the famous succulents know all over the world. They originate from the arid region in the North of Africa. Most aloe Vera thrives in the desert or arid parts and they do not like too much water in their soil. Therefore, choosing the best soil for the Aloe Vera plant is essential for their growth.

Aloe Vera plant will grow accurately in well-drained soil. The plant does not like soggy or damp soil or else it may lead to root rot.

All types of Aloe Vera plants need sandy or soil with gravel. These types of soil are well-draining which makes them ideal for aloe plants. We will be giving you some tips on how to choose the best soil for your Aloe Vera plant, so read on to find out.

Best Soil for Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe Vera needs well-draining soil. Except you live in a desert, planting aloes outdoors especially will require you to amend the soil to suit the nature of your plant. Outdoor aloes will need drainage help, especially for wet climates.

To improve outdoors, you can simply amend with granite, pumice, or coarse soil. It is also ideal to do a raised planting with outdoor aloes.

For indoors or containers Aloe Vera plants, they will do well in commercial potting mix.

Commercial Cactus Mix For Aloe Vera Plant

One good choice of soil for the Aloe Vera Plant is the commercial cactus mix. This commercial mix comprises mostly sand, perlite, peat, bark, vermiculite, and pumice.

When choosing cactus mix for your Aloe Vera plant, always pick large particle sizes to promote drainage. Avoid using regular potting soil alone because they don’t drain well.

Potting Soil For Aloe Vera Plant

Using potting soil for your Aloe Vera plant is alright. But they have to be modified for better drainage. To make them better for drainage add coconut coir, freshly chopped bark, or peat.

Furthermore, you can combine them with pumice, granite dust, and coarse sand. This way, the soil mixture will get the chance to become relatively large particles.

Some Recommended Soil For Aloe Vera Plant

We will be recommending some commercial soil you can use for your Aloe Vera plant. So read on to find out.

1. The Next Gardener Professional Grower Mix Soil Fast Draining

The professional grower mix is one of the best soil mixes for the Aloe Vera plant. It is basically ideal for succulents and cacti of various plants.

This soil mix is well-draining and dries out fast which is what is needed for dessert plants like Aloe Vera. It will prevent the rotting of roots from overwatering. It will also provide plant support to your Aloe Vera and it has a great consistency.

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2.    Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil – Jacks Gritty Mix

Bonsai Jack is a fast-draining potting soil and will be great for your Aloe Vera plant. It is nutrient mixed, therefore, will provide your aloe plant some good nutrient.

This soil will enhance the growth of your aloes and your plant will stand a good chance.

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3.    Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix

Hoffman soil mix is specially made for desert plants such as Aloe Vera. It is a well-draining soil mix and it gives good aeration. It is ready to use and it’s definitely a formula for root rot.

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4.    rePotme Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix – Imperial Blend

This is another good choice of soil to use for your aloe plant. It is great for various cacti and succulent plants. It is pretty easy to use and it drains well, thus, your Aloe Vera will stand a good chance with this soil.

Another great thing is that it is blended with diatomite which is effective against insect pests.

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FAQ’s

How do I care for my aloe vera?

Most of the time you will only need to water your aloe vera plant. However, if you notice brown patches on the leaves, you should water the plant more frequently. Aloe vera likes full sun, so you will want to make sure it gets enough light. You will also want to keep the soil moist. Aloe vera will need to be repotted every year. The plant will grow best in a container that is about one gallon in size. You will want to use a good quality potting soil mix. You may also want to add some fertilizer, but this is not necessary.

You will also need to water it if the soil is dry. A good way to tell if your soil is dry is to look at the surface of the soil. If it is dry, there will be no moisture on the surface of the soil. You should use a soaker hose and water the soil until it is moist.

What is a good soil mix for aloe vera?

There are many types of soil mixes. Some are designed for planting trees and shrubs. Others are specifically designed for aloe plants. Some people mix together all three in one container and plant their aloes. However, I prefer to separate the three. That way, you can plant the tree/shrub soil mixture with your regular soil mixture, and plant your aloe plants in their own soil. Aloe vera requires a well-draining soil.

There are a few factors to consider when mixing soil for an aloe vera plant. Soil temperature. Aloe vera likes temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees F. You will need to find a place that has these conditions. If you live in a cold climate, you can move the plant indoors or to a greenhouse or a location with warmer temperatures. Soil moisture. Aloe vera requires a moist soil, but not too much.

You will have to monitor the soil and water it as needed. Aloe vera likes full sun. Aloe vera is easy to grow and can be grown in containers.

How do I fertilize my aloe?

Your aloe plant needs some type of fertilizer.

You can use a liquid fertilizer or you can add food to the soil around your aloe. You can also use an organic fertilizer if you have one available.

How do I repot my aloe?

Repotting is a great way to give your aloe a new start. When you repot your aloe, you will have to remove the soil from the pot. Then, you will need to add some fresh soil. You can use a soil mix that has compost, peat moss, vermiculite, sand, perlite, or sphagnum moss. You will also want to add some fertilizer and some water. After that, you will need to plant your aloe into its new soil.

What are the best places for an aloe to grow?

You can grow an aloe in the ground or in a pot. The best place for your aloe is in the ground.

What should I feed my aloe?

You should feed your aloe regularly.

If you’re using the dry-mix method, you want to use a high-carbon soil mix like a soil-less potting mix. The reason for this is that the soil will eventually become compacted and hard, which may cause the plant roots to have trouble penetrating it. Also, your plant is not designed to grow in a clay/sand mix.

You should use a liquid fertilizer that contains a balance of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium. You can use the same type of fertilizer that you would use for your houseplants.

More Information

Regardless of the type of soil you use, when planting in containers, ensure you don’t use too much soil. Aloe Vera plants are shallow-rooted. For this reason, small containers are best used because bigger containers may accumulate moisture and cause root rot.

Therefore, to prevent your aloe plant from getting waterlogged, use only small containers. You can also re-pot your aloe plant once every year.

Aloe Vera is usually grown indoors as a houseplant in most places in the United States. However, you can plant them outdoors whenever the weather is hot. But when the temperature falls below the freezing point for a long time, they must be protected or taken indoors if they are planted in containers.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.

November 29, 2020
Low Light Succulents List
Do you know plants that are low light succulents? The space in your home might be limited for some extra house plants and you can’t display them where there is sunlight. You probably exhausted the number of windows where there is a shade to put your succulents. Or perhaps there might not be enough sunlight in your area.

Not too worry. We got a solution for you. Some succulents do well in low light and we will be giving you examples of these succulent plants. So read on to find out.

Low Light Succulents

Below are some examples of low light succulents that will do fine in whatever low light conditions they find themselves in:
- The Snake Plant
Snake plant, also known as the Mother-in-Law’s Tongue is one of the well-known succulents that can handle low light.

This plant can handle the poorest management and it is regarded as indestructible! Snake plants can withstand low light to inconsistent watering, and so on. However, if you want them to keep looking buoyant and cheerful, you should give them adequate care.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera plant is also one famous houseplant. They do well in low light conditions. Their leaves are thick, fleshy, and green to bluish with some spines on their leaves’ edges. Its juicy thick leaves reserves adequate water thus, they can tolerate drought.
- Schlumbergera or Holiday Cacti
Schlumbergera also known as a holiday cactus is an epiphyte plant. The succulent cactus of this plant lives in a canopy tree.

The holiday cacti cannot withstand too hot temperature and frost. Therefore, they fall under low light succulents. It is the absence of light that allows them to bloom beautifully. Examples of the holiday cacti include Christmas cacti, Thanksgiving cacti, and Easter cacti.
- Rhipsalis
Rhipsalis is an epiphyte, they grow on other plants and it’s from the cacti family. They are native to the rainforest.

Rhipsalis can be a great addition to your low light succulents. They don’t do well in too hot climate or dry soil as their leaves can burn. It loves a cool or humid environment; therefore a bathroom is an ideal area to place it.

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- Sedum Morganianum
The Sedum Morganianum, Burro’s tail is a type of succulent that will thrive in low light. Their stems are thick which full of water to withstand drought.
- Haworthia, Zebra Cactus
Harworthia also known as zebra cactus is another example of low light succulent. However, they can also do well in a warm, bright environment. They mostly grow under bushes therefore they can thrive in partial shade.

One major downside of Haworthia is watering, especially when associated with lower light conditions. Therefore, take care so you don’t over-water.
- Gasteria
Gasteria is another great choice for indoor plants that do not require much light. It’s best to keep them away from direct sunlight. Too much exposure to direct sunlight can cause their green color to turn yellow.

Also, they do not need too much watering as their leaves can store adequate water.
- Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palm also known as Beaucarnea recurvata are succulents from the Agave family. Even though they require bright light, they can as well flourish in low lights.

Succulent Light Conditions

Nowadays, more people are participating in house gardening and succulents are most of these common houseplants.

This is because succulents plants are easy to manage and they don’t need a lot of supervision. They can store adequate water, they are drought resistant, and don’t require regular watering like every other houseplant. They also have the ability to preserve nutrients in their leaves.

The first image most people have of succulents is desert! But this is mostly not so for all succulents. Some varieties of succulents do well in deserts or dry conditions, while some can as well flourish in non-desert conditions.

Take for example the epiphyte succulents such as the Christmas cactus. Christmas cactus grows on large trees with a big canopy over the Christmas cactus. This canopy usually causes the absence or reduction of light and even with such conditions, they still do well.

Normally, most succulents flourish in vivid light or medium-light at least. Even though they are very adaptive, there are various groups of succulents that may begin to etiolate with lack of sunlight. Etiolate happens when plants extend in search of sunlight. This may cause your succulent body growth to look somehow.

The good news is there are a couple of these succulents that can handle lower light situations as listed above.

FAQ’s

Are succulents OK in low light?

Succulents are fine in low light situations, although some species will do better than others.

Succulents such as aloe vera and agaves are quite happy growing in full sun, but they do best with moderate amounts of direct sunlight. A few succulents such as the cacti prefer direct sunlight, but many prefer to grow under trees or shrubs. This is because the plants want to be in the shade, so if you want to grow them near trees or shrubs, you need to make sure there’s enough light to keep them happy.

Are there shade loving succulents?

Shade loving succulents are those that do best in partial or complete shade. Most prefer the cool temperatures of afternoon shade and full sun is not a requirement. Many grow in light shade in the home, but are very happy to be out in the garden too. Some prefer the shade of large trees, some are happy with the shade of shrubs and others like the shelter of a rock wall.

Many succulents are naturally adapted to drought tolerant conditions and will only flower when they have enough water. It’s important to keep these plants well watered during the summer months. Some are also hardy in USDA zone 8 and can survive temperatures of up to 45°F. The most popular species are Aloe vera, Sedum and Sempervivum. These are all hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11, and are often used as houseplants or in pots. Sedum is also a popular choice for container gardens. Here’s a list of some popular shade loving succulents that will do well in a variety of locations. Some are easy to grow, others need more attention, but if you give them the right conditions they will reward you with their beauty year after year.

Can succulents survive without sun?

Some succulents do very well in partial shade, but not all. For example, the commonly available ‘Jade Plant’ (Crassula ovata) will not tolerate shade and is probably best grown with some direct sunlight. Similarly, Cacti do not like full shade, but are happy with some sun. A good place to start looking for your specific plant is on the Succulent Society of America’s web site at http://www.succulent.org/.

Can succulents survive in a windowless room?

Succulents are like mini trees, so they will grow just fine in a windowless room (as long as they get enough light to survive), but you can’t mist them. You will need to water them daily. I would not recommend fertilizing them unless you know what you’re doing. They can be easily damaged by over-fertilization.

Can succulents grow under fluorescent lights?

Yes, they can. Fluorescent lights are a great option for people looking to grow plants in their home. They’re also easy to grow and maintain. The only downside is that you can’t leave them on for very long without burning your plants. If you’re growing under florescent lights, make sure to have your plants on a timer so you don’t burn them.

Final Note

Have in mind that not all succulents can tolerate low light. So be enlightened when you decide on choosing succulents for your home.

With the points we have listed in this guide, we do hope you can make the right decision when it comes to picking low light succulent for your houseplants.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
November 29, 2020
How To Propagate Succulents With Honey

Succulent propagation is easy and fun. You just need to place your cuttings in the soil and watch it grow. Some ingredients can boost your propagated plants, and honey is one of these ingredients. Either you are propagating from a leaf or stems cuttings, we will teach you how to propagate succulents with honey.

Honey is a great substance for plants especially succulents. It contains nutrients that enhance root growth, thus, can be used as a rooting hormone. Therefore, if you would like to propagate your succulents, you can definitely make use of honey as root growth hormones.

So, let’s discuss how you can propagate succulents with honey.

Honey as Rooting Hormone in Succulent Propagation

Honey will encourage the root growth of your succulents. Honey is a natural substance. So if you are the one that does not like using a chemical substance on your plants, you can opt for honey as a natural rooting hormone.

More so, honey is readily available and affordable which is even better. Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties which will go along way for the cutting of your root.

Examples of the easiest succulent to grow with honey as a rooting hormone are Aloe Vera plants, Jade plants, Echeveria, Zebra plants, Panda plants, Sedum, Graptoverias, etc.

How to Propagate Succulents with Honey

For you to multiply small succulent plants, propagation by stem cuttings or leaf cuttings is the best way.

Now when it comes to propagating your cuttings, you can either use water or plant succulents directly into the soil. We recommend you plant directly into the soil. Propagating with a water-based medium may not be ideal, your succulent root may rot and not grow well and your plants may eventually die.

Planting your succulents directly into the soil is a great way. However, it may take a longer time for your succulents to root. This is why using a root growth hormone such as honey will be helpful. Honey will hasten the development of your succulent roots and protect the rotting of the root.

Propagating Succulents from Leaves and Cuttings

Firstly, when propagating your succulents, select only the healthy-looking succulents. Also, avoid plants with damaged leaves or dehydration.

Leaves Propagation: carefully remove a couple of leaves from the bottom of your succulent plant with your fingers. The entire leaves must come off. Do this by gently twisting the leaves back and forth till it comes off.

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Stem Cuttings Propagation: with stem cuttings propagation, make use of scissors or a sharp tool. Cut off then stem from the mother plant or you can cut an offset.

After cutting, you will need to wait for some days for them to be dried out. Your cutting is like a cut and should be hardened till it forms a crustaceous covering. This covering is important to avoid cuttings infection.

Applying Honey to Succulents

Now, you can insert the open end of the dried out succulent into raw honey.

Honey is an organic substance and you don’t have to worry about using chemicals on your succulent plants. It is an agent that will help stimulate the natural root hormones in your succulent cuttings.

Honey will protect your developing propagated succulents from pathogens such as fungi and bacteria that may develop into root rot. Your propagated succulents will be kept safe till they grow stronger and bigger.

Next thing is to find a tray with a drainage hole in the bottom and fill it with a cactus mix. Now lay the cuttings on the soil and make sure you don’t bury them. Ten you water your plant.

Watering is essential for rooting succulents. However, ensure you don’t water too much to prevent root rot. You can simply make use of a spray bottle to wet the soil sparingly. Only the topsoil needs to be wet and wet the topsoil whenever you see they are dry.

Position the tray in indirect sunlight till plants begin to establish themselves. Avoid putting them in direct sunlight to prevent leaves burn.

Have a lot of patients and you will begin to see small roots emerge in a few weeks. When you notice your plant’s roots have properly developed mature, you can slowly introduce them to direct sunlight. You can now transplant them into individual pots.

Additional Information

Even though there are other natural rooting hormones such as cinnamon and apple cider vinegar: honey can be your best option. Honey is affordable, easily accessible, and effective compared to other options.

The main thing the rooting hormone does is to maximize the chance of rooting your succulents. However, you will need to add other factors to maximize the success of your succulent propagation. These factors include good soil mix, choosing healthy succulents, well-draining pot, right watering, sunlight, and so on.

FAQs

Can you use honey to root succulents?

Yes, you can use honey to root succulents! Honey is a great food for plants.

It’s easy to work with and can be used in any potting mix.

What are the benefits of using honey to root succulents? Succulents need a lot of water. They grow better in a humid environment, but some like to dry out. If they dry out too much, they will wilt and die. Honey can be used to add moisture to the soil or plant. It also adds nutrients and minerals to the soil, which helps keep the plants healthy.

Honey is also a natural insect repellent and attracts beneficial insects to your garden. The ants that live around your house are a good example of this.

What is the quickest way to propagate a succulent?

If you want to grow your own plant from seed and have it thrive, there are three main methods: Sow the seed in a pot of soil with the correct light, temperature, and humidity levels, and leave it alone for a few months.

After that, transplant the seedling to a larger pot and water it regularly. Eventually, the roots will grow out of the soil and into the soil. If you’re interested in growing your own plants, check out these articles about propagation. If you’re looking to buy plants, you can find them at many nurseries or online. Succulents are one of the easiest plants to propagate because they don’t need much care to grow. They like high temperatures and bright light, so you should be able to get them to thrive by giving them the right conditions.

Is it better to propagate succulents in water or soil?

You should propagate succulents in the same media that you want them to be potted up in later on. So in your case, if you want them to be potted in soil, then you should also propagate them in soil.

The reason for this is that you are less likely to get any root rot issues when propagating them in soil. Another factor to consider is the pot size. If you are using small pots, then you may need to use soil as a medium because of the limited space inside the pot. But if you are using large pots, then you should probably just use water to propagate your succulents.

Why are my succulents not propagating?

If your succulents are not growing, they may be suffering from a lack of water. The best way to ensure that your plants receive the right amount of water is to use a rain gauge. You can also use a hydrometer or a rain gauge to check the amount of water in the soil. It’s important that you keep track of how much water your succulents need and how often they need to be watered.

This will help them grow strong and healthy. Succulents require a lot of attention. They require plenty of sunlight and water.

Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.

November 29, 2020
Mother Of Thousands Plant Care Guide

Mother of Thousands plant is a remarkable plant with some interesting physical features. They are characterized by their tiny plantlets that form on the edges of their leaves. It is a type of succulent that grows from a single stem.

Mother of thousand plants is also known as Alligator Plant and Mexican Hat Plant. They are ideal as houseplants.

We will enlighten you on everything you need to know about the Mother of Thousands plants so let’s explore some things about them.

Some Info About Mother of Thousands Plant

Mother of Thousands plants origin is from Madagascar. They are from the family Crassulaceae and they are closely associated with the Jade plant and Flaming Katy. Take note not to confuse the mother of thousands with the mother of millions (chandelier plant). This is because they are quite similar and they share similar characters.

One distinctive nature of the mother of thousands is the little plantlets that form along the edges of the plant. These tiny plantlets are capable of taking root by growing on any appropriate soil whenever or wherever they drop.

For some, mothers of thousands may be problematic and tedious especially when grown outdoors because they can be pretty invasive. Their little plantlet can drop on any appropriate soil, multiply, and take over your garden. Thus, we will advise you to plant them in a container if you wish to plant them outdoors where they are confined.

Even with the drawback of the tiny plantlets taking over any soil, there is a still lot of advantage from this. The good thing about this is you don’t have to bother too much about propagation. The little plantlet makes available plenty of plants for propagation.

How to Handle Mother of Thousands Plant

Light

They do so well with light but not too much direct sunlight because of their fragile leaves. Around the time of fall to early spring (cooler months), the sun is not so hot or harsh.

They can be placed in direct sun during this time so they can get adequate light. You can also give them early morning direct sunlight (in summer) when the sun is not so hot.

Soil to use

The best kind of soil to use for mother of thousand is a good draining, gritty soil such as sandy potting soil mix. An excellent choice is a potting mix made for cacti. Always avoid potting soil that contains loam, humus, or peat moss because they tend to absorb and retain moisture for pong. We only want well-draining soil for our mother of thousand plants.

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Manner of Watering

Mother of plants should be watered when the soil is dried but not completely dried. Water your soil thoroughly and only when needed. You can water less during the cold winter periods.

You should also prevent the leaves from getting wet when watering. This is because their leaves are susceptible to rot when wet.

Potting

The terracotta pot which is ideal for most cacti plants is a good choice for the mother of thousand plants. The root of the mother of thousand plants is fragile and will need the circulation of air to help the soil dry and drain quicker. Thus, the terracotta pot will do the job. If you will like, put some stones or pebbles at the bottom of the pot to aid drainage.

The pot should be placed in a tray to help drain excess water. As soon as excess water is drained, empty the excess water. Do not allow the excess water to stay for too long. If the excess water lingers, it can cause root rot because the mother of thousand plants doesn’t do well in a soggy environment.

Pruning

Pruning might be necessary for your mother of thousand plants. When you notice your plan start to grow curlier outwards, you can pinch off the upper part of the plant. This will lead to the leaves of your plant growing downwards towards the stem. You can also prune or pinch off any dead or damaged leaves.

Is the Mother of Thousands Plant Toxic?

The straight-up answer is yes! Mother of thousand plants is toxic. All the parts of the plant are toxic including the tiny plantlets. Therefore, be sure to position them out of reach of children, pets, and livestock.

Conclusion

Mother of thousand plants can be a good addition to your houseplant or garden plant. It’s an easy plant to grow and as it does not require difficult care.

With that said, we do hope you have learned one or two things about the mother of thousands plants.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.

November 26, 2020
How To Make Mushroom Compost
One prolific ingredient to add to your soil to boost garden growth is mushroom composts. We will be enlightening you on how to make mushroom compost so you can grow your plants the best way.

Applying compost to your garden soil enhances soil texture, drainage, and supplies adequate nutrients to your soil. As mulch covering, compost will regulate weed as well as retain soil water keeping the soil moist during dry conditions.

A combination of mushroom compost is an awesome soil builder that can help your plant flourish. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to make mushroom compost on your own? Of course! It is even easier to make if you grow mushrooms in your garden. The procedure is pretty easy and we will teach you how.

Mushroom Compost

Mushroom composts are made from the soil which was used to grow mushrooms. After you much have harvested your mushrooms, you can now proceed to make some mushroom composts for your garden soil. It is an organic fertilizer that will be released gradually into the soil of your garden.

Mushroom composts comprise mixed peat, straw, gypsum, and other poultry manure. These are most of the common elements used; however, it may contain other elements.

Steps on How to Make Mushroom Compost

Mushroom composts are easy to make. Just follow these steps on how to make mushroom compost and have yourself some mushroom composts for your garden.

Compost Ingredients Used

The ingredients used for making mushroom composts include:
- Wheat straw.
- Gypsum.
- Water.
- Poultry manure (chicken, cow, or horse manure).
- Mushroom garden soil.
Procedure

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is to sprinkle the wheat straw with some water. Make sure the wheat straw should not be too wet or too dry. Then mix the straw with poultry manure, gypsum, soil, and mushroom bacteria.

Step 2

Allow the mushroom compost mixture to sit for a period of weeks so it can heat up. This can take up to two months. During this period, some chemical reactions will take place. Naturally occurring fungi and bacteria will visit the scene and react with the poultry manure and straw. They will eventually break down all the ingredients.

Step 3

As composting continues for some weeks, you must monitor the compost pile frequently. This is because the temperature of the mixture continues to raise therefore, always water and mix frequently. The temperature can rise above 80 degrees Celsius which is too hot. Ensure the temperature remains at 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Step 4

While composting continues, pasteurization also takes place to sterilize and eliminates any harmful bacteria, pathogen, pests, and weeds. When pasteurization is completed, the compost will have to cool down before applying it to your garden soil.

You now have a clean pile of abundant brown chocolate compost. You can now apply the readymade mushroom compost. Ensure you mix mushroom compost well into your garden soil when applying to give you an awesome result.

The video below describes mushroom compost is commercially produced.

Benefits of Using Mushroom Compost to Your Garden Soil

Let’s take a look at a couple of benefits of using mushroom composts on your garden soil:
- Mushroom composts are a very affordable fertilizer you can invest in or make.
- You can add mushroom compost gardening soil to your fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs. It will enrich your crops to flourish well.
- If you need a soil additive to improve the water retention in your soil, you can make use of mushroom compost. Mushroom composts will absorb enough water and retain it in your soil to be made available when needed. As such, your soil never dries out.
- Applying mushroom compost will provide your plant with some great natural ingredients.
- Used as garden mulch coverings.
- It can also be used as soil amendments for your lawns.
- Mushroom compost comprises of nitrogen needed for plants and foliage growth.
- Mushroom compost will supply the right amount of nutrients without being nutrient-dense.
FAQ’s

Is mushroom compost any good?

Mushroom compost is a blend of nitrogen and carbon rich materials that are added to the soil to encourage fungal growth. This is done in order to create more food for soil microorganisms and plants, which will help increase plant growth and health. Mushroom compost can be purchased at most garden centres and nurseries, however, it is more cost effective to make your own.

How do you make mushroom compost?

Mushroom compost is different to other composts. It contains plenty of carbon (in the form of decaying plant material), which is why it’s good for growing mushrooms. However, it also contains small amounts of nitrogen, which is needed for the mushrooms to grow.

The best way to make compost is to mix it in a bucket. You don’t want to do this in a plastic bucket, as the plastic may leach into the compost. Instead, use a metal or wooden bucket that you can wash out and reuse. Start by mixing one part of dry compost with three parts of water. When you’re making mushroom compost, add one part of wood chips or sawdust to two parts of the dry compost. Mix everything together with a spade or fork. The wood chips or sawdust will help to give your compost structure, so you don’t want to add too much. Too much structure will prevent the compost from drying out. After adding the wood chips or sawdust, stir it all together with your hands. When mixing, keep the material moving, so that the compost is mixed evenly. The more you mix, the better your compost will be. Make sure you mix in as much air as possible. How should I store it? Ideally, you should store your compost in a shed or other dry location, where it will stay dry and warm. A shed will also help to keep the compost safe from mice and rats. It should also be kept well ventilated.

How do you apply it as fertilizer?

If you plan to use it as a fertilizer for your soil, then you should not add any wood chips. A: Mushroom compost will contain some nutrients (especially nitrogen) and a lot of organic material. It may also contain some weed seeds, so you’ll want to remove them before adding the compost to the soil. Wood chips are not an effective source of nitrogen, and they can harbor weed seeds. Instead of adding wood chips, you might consider adding a nitrogen-rich manure (such as rabbit, chicken, horse, or fish manure). You’ll also want to add a small amount of sand to improve drainage. The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device.

How should I store it?

Ideally, you should store your compost in a shed or other dry location, where it will stay dry and warm. A shed will also help to keep the compost safe from mice and rats. It should also be kept well ventilated.

More Information

Even though you can apply mushroom composts any period of the year, the most appropriate period to do so is during spring or fall.

Also, note that mushroom composts cannot be used as soil replacement. Therefore, it can’t be used on its own for planting.

For its water holding capacity, only apply the right amount of compost manure to your soil. This way, the water holding capacity does not water-log your soil. Soil waterlogging can cause root rotting and fungal infection.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
November 24, 2020
Hydroponic Strawberries
Growing plants that produce fruits may not be quite easy with hydroponics, especially for beginners. This is so because of the required intensive work inputs and necessary maintenance. However, that is not the case when it comes to growing strawberries with hydroponic.

Strawberries cultivated in hydroponics do well and can yield abundant fruits all through the year. It is one of the easiest fruits one can grow with hydroponics. Let’s dive in and discuss some facts about growing strawberries with hydroponic.

Hydroponic Strawberries

Strawberry is a healthy food people love and the demand for it keeps increasing day by day. This is why farmers are designing various ways to meet market demands.

A hydroponic farming system is one method you can use to cultivate strawberries fast and easy. For this reason, farmers prefer to cultivate their strawberry plants using hydroponics from runners.

Growing Strawberries with Hydroponic

One popular fruit to grow is the strawberries. Growing strawberries from their seeds with soil can take 2 to 3 years to mature. But when it comes to growing strawberries in hydroponics, it is fast and easy.

The hydroponic system makes use of water solutions in which nutrients have been dissolved to grow plants. The method is fast, healthy, and will result in an abundant production of fruits.

Getting Started: Growing Strawberries with Hydroponic

Of course, the very first thing you need to do is to purchase a hydroponic system. You can either make use of a vertical hydroponic system or a hydroponic kit. However, a vertical hydroponic system will give you more space for growing and maximum yield.

Procedures

Next thing is to choose if you want to grow your strawberry from a seed or a young strawberry plant.

The best way is to use a young strawberry plant and plant them in the net holes of your hydroponics system. You will need to rinse off the soil from the young strawberry plants and insert them into the net holes of the hydroponic system. Fill them with nutrient-rich water for hydroponics afterward.

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Light Requirements

Next, you want to feed your strawberry with some proper light and adequate temperature. It is essential you provide adequate light to your strawberry plants so they can flourish and grow well. The temperature strawberry plants like is around 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Feed your strawberry plant with 8 to 10 hours of light daily. If you decide to grow your plants in a greenhouse, then your strawberry plants can obtain their light naturally. However, if they will be grown indoors, grow light will be needed to feed your strawberry plant with the needed light.

Quality of Water

Another important thing is water quality. Since the main ingredient providing nutrients is in the water, ensure you make use of a water filter instead of tap water. This way, you reduce the risk of introducing impurities to your plant water.

pH Range

The pH levels of your nutrient-filled water should range between 5.8 to 6.2. Use a pH meter to know the status of your pH level.

Growing Medium

Now to the medium used. Although there are various mediums available to be used, we suggest you use a simple, affordable, and available medium like coco coir. Coco coir is inactive and won’t interfere with the pH or nutrient level of your strawberry plant.

Pollination Requirements

When it comes to pollination, it is a key concern and must be planned. Strawberry plants possess both male and female flowers. Pollination is different in the outdoor and indoor hydroponic systems of strawberries. Outdoor hydroponic strawberry pollination is done by wind and bees. On the other hand, indoor pollination is done artificially by using a fan or gently brushing your hands along the flowers of the strawberry plants.

Benefits of Growing Strawberries with Hydroponics

There are lots of benefits of growing strawberries with hydroponics. Here are a couple of these benefits:
- The Soil-based Disease Reduced: since there is no soil used, there is no room for soil-based pests, microorganisms, or pathogens to thrive.
- Reduction in Use of pesticides: the need for pesticides and insecticides spraying on your strawberries fruits are reduced. This way, you enjoy fresh and healthy fruit production.
- Fast Growth and Plenty Yield: using a hydroponic system for strawberries gives a quick yield and abundant production all year round.
FAQ’s

Do strawberries do well in hydroponics?

Yes, strawberries do well in hydroponics. The trick is to choose the right nutrients for your system. They have shallow roots and are very sensitive to nutrient deficiencies. When I grew them in a hydroponic system, I had to fertilize the plants every two weeks.

For example, you need a good source of phosphorus for healthy roots. You also need calcium and potassium, which are more available in nutrient solutions than in soil. Also, you want a good source of nitrogen. Strawberries have shallow roots that grow into the medium in which they’re planted. If you put them in a hydroponic system, you need to provide some type of medium in which to grow the roots. For example, you could use sand, perlite, or peat moss.

When can you give strawberries their nutrients in a hydroponic system?

With a hydroponic system, you can provide all the nutrients that your plants need right from the start. For strawberries, you want a medium that will hold moisture and nutrients without getting soggy. Strawberries are shallow rooted, and they like a loose medium.

This means that you can just sprinkle the medium over the strawberries. You don’t have to worry about keeping it evenly moist. If you’re using sand or perlite, you can make the medium by mixing the sand or perlite with enough water to get it to the consistency you want.

How do you make sure they get enough nitrogen?

There are three ways you can get nitrogen into the plant:

1. Use a foliar spray,

2. Feed your plants with a liquid fertilizer, or

3. Grow the plant on a medium that contains nitrogen.

A foliar spray is simply water with a small amount of fertilizer mixed in. The fertilizer will be absorbed by the leaves and then carried to the roots. Liquid fertilizers are similar to foliar sprays in that they provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They also usually contain a little bit of iron and calcium as well.

What are the most important nutrients?

First, let’s talk about why you might want to grow strawberries in a hydroponic system. You need a good source of phosphorus for healthy roots.

With a hydroponic system, you can get phosphorus right into the plant from the start. Second, you want a good source of potassium. Potassium is used to build strong cell walls in plants. If you don’t provide a good source of potassium, the plant will have weak cell walls. You can get potassium from the soil, but it’s not always available. You also need nitrogen. Nitrogen helps the plant make amino acids. These amino acids are needed to build proteins, which help the plant grow.

Final Say

Strawberry fruit is one of people’s favorite and it might not be so easy to cultivate. It can take a lot of time to produce results from seed. But with a hydroponic strawberry system, it has becomes so simple for farmers to cultivate and meet people’s demands.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
November 23, 2020
Vertical Hydroponics System
Just as hydroponic means growing plants without soil: a vertical hydroponics system is a combination of staked hydroponics in a vertical manner.

The idea of a vertical hydroponic system came about to solve space management. At the same time, there is an adequate system for you to plant as many as you can.

What is Vertical Hydroponics Farming?

Vertical hydroponics farming involves cultivating crops with the use of water rather than soil. In a vertical hydroponics farming system, your plants are all loaded up in a vertical fashion. This type of hydroponic can be done both outdoors and indoors.

However, the stumbled up levels comes at an extra cost. Vertical hydroponics placed indoors will need to be positioned where there is an equal amount of sunlight for all levels. This can be quite challenging to achieve. However, to make things easier, you can use a vertical grow light to provide optimal growth for all levels.

Also, if your vertical hydroponics is placed outdoors, you need to find a perfect spot for adequate sunlight.

Ideal Plants Grown With Vertical Hydroponics System

You can grow various plants with a vertical system such as herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Examples include:

Spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, mint, cucumbers, eggplants, collard greens, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, kale, basil, chives, and so on.

Benefits of Vertical Hydroponics System

Just like the normal hydroponics system, you can enjoy the same benefits with vertical hydroponics, but in a vertical manner. The benefits include:
- Enjoy planting with no mess from the soil.
- You get to enjoy year-round plant production.
- Crop yield will be more increased.
- You can place vertical hydroponics systems both outdoors and indoors.
- You get to cultivate more plants in minimal space.
- Because the vertical system makes use of water rather than traditional soil, soil-borne pests and diseases are reduced drastically.
- Enjoy the benefits of reduced weed problem.
- With the closed water nutrient system, water remains in the tubes with no spilling.
- Wastage is reduced because the water-filled nutrient is reused in the closed-circuit until no point of use.
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How to Ensure a Successful Running Vertical Hydroponic System

You need to ensure your vertical hydroponics system runs successfully so you don’t regret investing in one. So here are a couple of things to do for a successful running of a vertical hydroponics system:
- You need to ensure water flows optimally at every level of the system. Getting water to reach the highest level might be an issue. You will need to design your vertical hydroponics with a bigger powered pump.
- Take note that the lower level plants do not drown.
- You need to monitor the provision for light. All hydroponic flourishes with light, so it is essential they get optimal light anywhere they are placed. Also, ensure all plant levels receive an equal amount of light for maximum growth.
- Monitor the nutrient mix always.
Adequate Input

You can grow more plants from vertical hydroponic. However, this usually costs additional investments and input for your vertical system to run smoothly.

For instance, grow lights and motors will involve setting up energy bills. Also, the water which is a closed flow system will need to be watched closely.

The good news is that the benefits of a vertical system supersede the limitations. Considering the fact that lands are becoming lesser for gardening. Vertical farming offers you the opportunity of planting as much as you can in minimal space.

Zigzag Vertical Hydroponic System

The design of most vertical hydroponic system is vertical. However, some vertical system design may come in a zigzag pattern.

We have the PVC diagonally staked up in a zigzag vertical system. You can also see the plants sheltered in net cups.

This system might be a bit complex. However, if you can work it out, the operations will become easy. The system has adequate capacity of planting more crops efficiently with higher productivity.

FAQ’s

How do you set up a vertical hydroponic system?

There are several ways to go about setting up a vertical hydroponic system. The most common is the use of a large container with holes drilled in it. Some companies will provide a system like this for you, but they are not cheap. They are generally set up by a company that specializes in hydroponic systems. If you have the space, you can build your own.

The basic idea is to create a large chamber and drill holes in the bottom of the chamber so that the water can drain out. There are some issues with this method. First, it requires a lot of space. It also requires a lot of maintenance. You will need to keep an eye on it so that it does not flood. The holes must be kept clean and you need to ensure that they don’t become clogged. Another option is to use a series of plastic containers. These come in different sizes and can be stacked one on top of the other. They are usually made to hold one or two gallons of water. You will need to drill small holes in the bottom of each container, and then run tubing through the holes. The tubing goes into a pump that circulates the water in the containers.

This method does not require a lot of space, but the maintenance is still a hassle. A third option is to use a vertical hydroponic system that is designed specifically for growing plants. These systems are very efficient because they allow the plants to grow directly in the water. This eliminates the need to keep the roots moist. The only problem with these systems is that they are expensive.

Is vertical or horizontal hydroponics better?

What are the advantages of a vertical hydroponic system? The main advantage of using a vertical hydroponic system is that it allows you to maximize your growing space. If you have a large area and don’t want to use too much of it, you can grow your plants in a vertical hydroponic system. It is possible to grow up to ten or more plants in a single container. This is the most efficient way to grow plants because the plants can utilize every inch of the container. This means that you will be able to get more product for your money. Another advantage of a vertical hydroponic system is that you will be able to control the amount of light that your plants receive. If you use a vertical hydroponic system you can simply add or remove containers from the system to adjust the amount of light that the plants receive. You can also move them around as needed to ensure that they receive enough light. This gives you the ability to monitor the progress of your plants and make adjustments as necessary. A third advantage is that you can easily move your plants to a different location if you decide to sell them. When you grow your plants in a vertical hydroponic system, it is possible to grow them in different locations. The only thing you need to do is move the entire system. The plants can be moved directly to another container or to the ground. How do you set up a horizontal hydroponic system? The most common way to set up a horizontal hydroponic system is to use a series of plastic containers. These come in different sizes and you will need to determine which one works best for your situation. There are many advantages to using a horizontal hydroponic system. The main advantage is that you can grow as many plants as you want in a single container. This is an efficient method for growing a lot of product. You can even grow plants in several containers if you want. The plants are kept moist, but not too wet. The biggest problem with a horizontal hydroponic system is that you have to keep the roots moist. This requires you to keep the roots in the water at all times. This is a hassle because it means you need to constantly check on the plants. You can solve this problem by adding a pump that will keep the roots moist. The pump is set up so that it circulates water through the containers.

Conclusion

Vertical hydroponics system makes gardening life so much easier and productivity is significantly maximized. It is especially ideal for people that live in an urban environment where there’s no adequate space for gardening.

Even though there are a couple of challenges involved in using vertical hydroponics, it still renders many benefits in farming. You can solve most of the challenges easily with little investment and some work

As of now, you can find various vertical hydroponic kits in the market. This tells us there is an increase in the interest and demands of vertical hydroponics

Eunice

Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
November 23, 2020