succulent biology Bio Leaf SUCCULENT & Jungle Cacti Mix

succulent biology Bio Leaf SUCCULENT & Jungle Cacti MixBio Leaf's Succulent & Jungle Cacti Potting Mix is made for succulents, semi succulents and jungle cacti (see the list of plants below). This mix provides fast drainage, slow release bio nutrients* and medium to low moisture retention, all in a light, fluffy, fibrous mix roots love. Available in 2 litres (this size), and 5 litres (available here) PS: Need LOTS of potting mix? Orders over 15 litres total sometimes get too big or heavy for standard

Bio Leaf's Succulent & Jungle Cacti Potting Mix is made for succulents, semi-succulents and jungle cacti (see the list of plants below). This mix provides fast-drainage, slow-release bio-nutrients* and medium to low moisture retention, all in a light, fluffy, fibrous mix roots love.

Available in 2 litres (this size), and 5 litres (available here)

PS: Need LOTS of potting mix? Orders over 15 litres total sometimes get too big or heavy for standard shipping rates. If your order goes over into overweight / oversize rates I will be in touch to let you know. I won't incur any costs without your okay - Anna :) 

Which plants is this mix for?

Formulated for a variety of succulents and semi-succulents, including jungle cacti (that's cacti native to warm, humid habitats).

The list includes:

• Ceropegia (such as String of Hearts),
• Crassula (such as Money Tree / Jade Plant),
• Disocactus (Fishbone Cactus),
  
• Hoyas (such as Linearis, Kerrii, Compacta and Australis),
• Epiphyllum (Orchid Cactus),
• Kalanchoe,
• Lepismium (such as Red Mistletoe, Snowdrop and Hurricane Cacti), 
• Peperomia,
• Pilea (Chinese Money Plant),
  
• Rhipsalis (such as Mistletoe and Coral Cactus),
• Sansevieria (Snake Plants, Dracaena, Moonshine), 
• Schlumbergera / Zygocactus (Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter Cactus)...
  

..and others that prefer the same conditions :)

*Important note about fertiliser & potting mix

Although this mix does include slow-release nutrients, it's NOT at a level that replaces your plant's need for fertiliser. The 'Bio Leaf Bioactive Blend' included in this mix combines nutrients such as calcium, silica, ocean minerals and more that reduce transplant stress, aids recovery after repotting and reduces the risk of root rot (among other benefits).

Many potting mixes DO include slow-release fertiliser, meaning if you fertilise after repotting you run the risk of fertiliser burn if you fertilise them. This mix is fertiliser-free, so you can and should fertilise as normal when using this mix, putting you in control of what your plants get and when.

As for which fertiliser to use, have a look at GT Succulent Focus. A safe, gentle, complete and balanced formula with succulent-safe nitrogen, no chlorine or sodium and many more benefits that make it uniquely suited to the special needs of succulents and cacti.

How are jungle cacti different from desert cacti? 

Jungle cacti are also called tropical cacti or epiphytic cacti. All cacti - both desert and jungle - are types of succulents. Jungle cacti are (mostly), spine-free cacti that live in a rainforest habitat in the wild. Different from arid or desert cacti, which are native to a much drier climate and have adapted to storing water, so prefer to be left to go fully dry between watering.

Jungle cacti don't store water to the extent that desert cacti do, which is why jungle cacti dislike fully drying out, making their substrate needs quite different from desert cacti. And yes, Bio Leaf does make a superb Desert Cacti Mix available here >

Jungle cacti tend to grow on trees or rocks rather than in the ground like desert cacti. Jungle cacti tend to have delicate, hanging stems that drape down from the trees, absorbing water from the air in their naturally humid rainforest habitat.

Desert cacti tend to have thick, fleshy stems for storing water. Jungle cacti normally have thinner, flat or leaf-like stems, often without any spines. 

What's in this mix?

This potting mix combines composted bark, pumice, perlite, charcoal and zeolite, along with the Bioleaf Bioactive Blend of beneficial bio-nutrients. Here's why each ingredient was chosen...

COMPOSTED BARK

Composted bark is tree bark that's been composted until it breaks down into a dark, earthy substrate. It helps retain moisture and when combined with porous ingredients like perlite and pumice, still maintains good aeration. 

PUMICE

The addition of pumice increases drainage and adds air for healthy roots, reducing the risk of root rot. 

PERLITE

Similar benefits to pumice but without the weight. Increases drainage and adds air. Even when fully saturated, both pumice and perlite are highly porous, maintaining pockets of air. 

ZEOLITES 

Crystal-like volcanic stone known to trap heavy metals and pollutants like lead and nickel. Soaks up excess water to help avoid waterlogging. Keeps mixes airy. Zeolites are also naturally fungal inhibiting and help balance pH.

CHARCOAL

Keeps water moving down and out. Highly porous to increase air space. Naturally anti-microbial with a high capacity to absorb impurities and toxins from soil including harmful bacteria and fungi. 

What's in the Bioactive Blend of nutrients?

⭐SOIL SUPERHEROES

Organic compounds fulvic acids and humic acids that help with nutrient transfer from the substrate to the roots, and help reduce the risk of root rot, naturally boosting growth and improving plant health.

⭐STRESS PROTECTORS

A custom blend of 3 calcium sources + silica (known as Nature's Bodyguard), to boost plant stress tolerance and help recovery after repotting.  

⭐PLANT AMINO ACIDS 

Organic plant proteins that help plants produce chlorophyll, boosting photosynthesis, plant growth and soil health. Helps plants grow bigger, stronger and more dense. Supports better use of nutrients from the soil, improving soil fertility and reducing build-up of unused fertiliser salts, reducing the risk of fertiliser burn. 

⭐OCEAN MINERALS

A blend of marine extracts, naturally rich in plant growth hormones that boost growth in general but in particular supports new root growth. Helps resistance to stress, especially transplant stress following repotting. 

⭐pH BUFFERED

Provides the slightly acidic pH houseplants prefer. Helps maintain the ideal 'Goldilocks Zone' where nutrients are most available for plants to uptake. Helps naturally protect against harmful pH swings caused by fertiliser salts, natural decay and decomposition over time, extending the life of the potting mix.

PS: Need LOTS of potting mix? Orders over 15 litres total sometimes get too big or heavy for standard shipping rates. If your order goes over into overweight / oversize rates I will be in touch to let you know. I won't incur any costs without your okay - Anna