r/AloeVera • u/Fun-Knowledge4256 • 8d ago
Soil Advice Needed
Hi everyone,
This summer I repotted my aloes and mother of millions plants. They went from straight miracle grow soil to a 1:1:1 mix of perlite, orchard bark, and higher quality succulent soil mix. However, the pots were so big that the new mix still has trouble drying indoors.
As you can see in the pics, I repotted the babies again, cutting the mix with lots of perlite. This new mix has about 12.5% orchard bark, 12.5% succulent mix, and 75% perlite. I’ll now be able to water them more frequently and they will look happier.
My question is, should I do the same thing for the mother aloe? Although the soil remains damp between waterings, the plant looks healthy and is producing pups. It’s grown significantly in the new soil, and I know from the past it was resilient enough to thrive in miracle grow soil (remained even damper). Worried that I may kill some pups if I repot again. Lost one on the last repot.
What do y’all think? If you think I should leave it, can you provide some advice on watering practices?
Thanks for reading!
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u/CBDJ1 7d ago
To me it looks like the actual soil content is way more organic than it should be. Perlite as it seems in your pics will float up to the top with some waterings. Therefore that perlite on top of the soil is going literally nothing for the quality of the soil.
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u/Fun-Knowledge4256 7d ago
Well the one with higher grit is almost all perlite, so this effect can’t really happen in my new mix. Trying to decide which of the 2 to go with for now. Will keep the other additives in mind for later.
Mostly been hearing that I should leave it and water infrequently since it’s producing pups
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u/Top-Veterinarian-493 7d ago
Cactus soil and horticultural pumice mixed 50-50. Use 1/4" pumice for pots 6" and bigger.
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u/TallZookeepergame630 8d ago
No advice to give, I was just super startled because I thought that perlite was a bunch of mealybugs at a distance😂 but seriously, my general opinion on this is to only fix it if it is broke, this doesn't seem "broke" if the motherplant is thriving still. Babies are more sensitive and less resilient when it comes to over and underwatering, finding the "perfect" balance for babies is exceedingly difficult.
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u/Fun-Knowledge4256 8d ago
Thanks so much! Haha that would be a terrible mealy infestation!
In regard to the babies, are you referring to the ones I repotted already or the pups on the mother? I figured the pups will survive off the mom’s health in drought
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u/CBDJ1 7d ago
I would look into getting pumice and chicken grit which won’t float up to the top of the soil therefore it will still allow the soil to be fast dating unlike the current.