Why is Zeolite suitable for succulents and cacti cultivation? It provides for soil aeration and water regime regulation.

Decisive role of substrate permeability

These plants prefer well permeable soil with high content of nutrients. This is the reason why neither a common garden substrate nor a substrate with 100% gravel content is suitable for them. The substrate should be primarily perfectly permeable and grainy. Succulents´ roots need oxygen supply and sufficient air circulation. The more water is kept between the roots, the higher likelihood of the roots decay. Substrate mix of required properties can be bought in specialized shops in the mixture either directly prepared by the manufacturer or made by the growers on their own.

ZeoGravel regulates water regime of succulents

ZeoGravel shouldn´t be absent among particular elements of a substrate for succulents. Its grainy nature ensures water permeability and substrate aeration, working also as a drainage layer. ZeoGravel has also further properties. Zeolite porous nature allows for maintaining and regulation of supplied water, improving water management. It also enables binding and gradual release of the nutrients. Accordingly, the plants are able to gradually supply water and nutrients as required. Grey-green Zeolite coloration works in the substrate as a humidity indicator. Adding water to Zeolite, its color will be highlighted; gradual water release will make it lighter again, signalizing too dry substrate. The degree of substrate dryout can be determined according to Zeolite visual form.

Gradual supply of nutrients

Substrate mixed on one´s own can be of many variations, just follow the rule of good permeability.   Recommended ZeoGravel dosage should refer to 5 – 15 % of the whole substrate amount with  2.5 – 5 mm fraction. The mixture of clay, rough sand, mix of coconut fiber, pearlite, pumice, etc. represents further components suitable for this substrate type. Such prepared substrate should be watered once per 14 days in order to have it soaked with water but avoid water retention in the pot below. In winter, substrate should be watered every 3 – 4 weeks. If the substrate doesn´t contain an organic component, nutrients should be supplied to the plants on regular basis. Manure intended exclusively for cacti and succulents should be used because of low nitrogen content for minimum growth, and increased content of phosphorus to support the blossoming. Zeolite binds nutrients in its inner structure, gradually releasing them; thus supply of nutrients is continuous and smooth.  

Zeolite as a decorative stone  

ZeoGravel is suitable for succulents also as a decorative stone. It can be placed on the substrate surface around the plant. In this case, its grey- green coloration works as a substrate humidity indicator. ZeoGravel incorporation in the terrarium represents another way of its use for decorative purposes. It can work as a basic drainage layer. Since the succulents are vulnerable to overheating or too high humidity, Zeolite absorption property is very helpful. ZeoGravel meets the esthetic needs and ensures water regulation.

Time proved substrate component for big projects

ZeoGravel has been proved beneficial by many cacti and succulent growers. It has become a part of the substrate also at the unique botanical garden Botany Park at Bojnice (Slovakia). This unique botanical garden is focused exclusively to cacti and succulents, and it is the biggest botanical garden of the kind in the Central Europe. The visitors can admire more than 1,500 cacti and succulents of various types and sizes therein; the oldest succulent is more than 37 years old. More than 70 tons of ZeoGravel was used for the succulent planting and it has become a part of the substrate on the whole area of succulentariums.

Photo: fb Botany Park

(aš)