Okay, so I’ve been getting into rooting cuttings lately, because, you know, free plants! But I quickly learned that just sticking them in regular potting soil wasn’t cutting it (pun intended!). I needed something that would help these little guys grow roots like crazy.
First, I tried just using some leftover potting mix I had. Big mistake. It was too dense, stayed way too wet, and my cuttings just kind of… rotted. Not good.
Then, I did some digging (again, pun intended!) online and found some suggestions. I decided to make my own mix, because I’m cheap and like to experiment.
My DIY Rooting Mix Experiment
- I grabbed a bag of perlite. This stuff is like little white popcorn rocks, and it’s awesome for drainage.
- Then, I got some vermiculite. It’s also good for drainage, but it holds onto a little more moisture than perlite, which is helpful.
- I also used some coco coir. You can get this stuff in bricks that you soak in water, and it expands like crazy. It’s a good, sustainable alternative to peat moss.
I basically just mixed these three things together in roughly equal parts. I didn’t measure anything precisely, just eyeballed it. I figured as long as it looked light and fluffy, it was probably good.
I filled some small pots with my new mix, stuck my cuttings in (after dipping the ends in rooting hormone, of course – that stuff is magic!), and watered them gently.
And guess what? It worked! My cuttings started rooting much faster than before. The mix stayed moist but not soggy, and the little roots had plenty of room to breathe and grow.
So, yeah, that’s my experience with finding the best soil for rooting cuttings. It’s all about drainage and aeration, people! Don’t make the same mistake I did with the regular potting soil. Go for something light and fluffy, and your cuttings will thank you.
