AboutDarlene K. Kittle Expertise I have been a Master Gardener for 20 years and I raise around 300 houseplants a year including tropicals, succulents, and cacti.
Experience She is also studying the Japanese art of bonsai with tropical plants and is President of the Fort Wayne, IN Bonsai Club.
Education/Credentials I am not a hortculturist. I am a Purdue University Master Gardener for over 20 years. I have studied plants on a personal level by growing hundreds of plants annually for the last 35 years. I have also studied under several nationally known American Bonsai experts.
Question I have a Schfelerra cutting that I rooted in water. I know its not the preferred way. My question is : now that the plant has plenty of roots (about 3" long) whats the best soil medium to plant it in? I've read that potting soil may be too heavy for the new roots so what would you recommend?
Answer Carol,
I use potting soil with extra perlite mixed in for all my plants. It puts more air in the soil and makes it lighter and drain better. It is much healthier for your plants. It is the white stuff that looks like Styrofoam pellets but it is really a volcanic product. It does not deteriorate in the soil. Mix 2 parts of soil with 1 part of perlite. I usually use a cottage cheese container when mixing it. Good luck.
