Great video, the soil proportions are spot-on. I like clay pots, but I haven’t tried a sealant, I usually line them with thin plastic. Unglazed clay pots play a cruel trick on plants. The aeration of the clay draws the roots to the sides, where they dry out quickly, often resulting in stress and the death of fine roots. Meanwhile the center mass of the soil remains too wet and encourages rot. The positive aspect of clay is the weight and that the pot doesn’t overheat and cook the roots if the sun is hitting the sides.

Remember Final Fantasy 8, and the main weakness against the GF boss, Cactuar, was water based attacks? I didnt understand at the time, but as i got into cacti collecting, ive learned FULL WELL the dangers of water to drout resistant plants. Luckily we're still in the very early weeks of May, and the last time i watered my cacti was 2½ weeks ago... but they got caught in a bit of a downpour yesterday. My phone lied to me and said no rain until 8pm, so i worked until 7pm, but then my wife told me it was raining pretty good at the house around 5pm. So unfortunately they all got a bit wet, but on the plus side theyre all awake from their dormancy and growing, so they should be fine, _especially if i get some hot and sunny days soon._ Today is sunny and warm, but my phone still has rain until Sunday. Hopefully its wrong and i get more sunny days. Im gonna be getting a small greenhouse soon, and i cant wait!!! Happy growing, and keep 'em dry until youre ready!!!

Really liked the soil chemistry! It's really informative. I'd love to see more of it!

I started using soil similar to where they grow wild. Very little organic matter (1/8 cup to a gallon of mix). I am now using black gumbo for growing cotton, wheat or corn. They use cracks in the lime rock for pots. Most of the soil is black clay and very little with gravel. Your soil seemed to be packed a little which indicate sand. I screen all my soil with window screens to remove dust and sand. Perlite and pumice hold some water. Graded cleaned and screened) rocks are the best to use.

Excellent, info & video; thanks. As you said, the location itself calls for different strategies. I'm in Montana and growing Ariocarpus is an entirely different game. Loam from the desert does not work. Just as you've shown; gravel is it; these are rock eaters.

I went back to using soil from the desert

Good informative video , would like to know what organic material is used in soil , is that regular sieved potting mix or does that have some other blend like coco coir in it ? can small rocks be used two parts instead of pumice or let me know any other alternatives , can sieved dg be used . Would this mix work for succulents as well or would you suggest increasing organic material in it -- @south Texas humid weather

In my oppinion Why they’re rot is caused by the water are so alkaline, naturally cacti like acid water. U need to test ur water pH if its more than 7.5 and use for watering offcoursly they will die slowly

Fantastic video. I have some question if I may, 1. Why do you not use sand at all? It is a cheap material in general and pure mineral. I observed that in large amounts tend to get really hard. 2. The rocks that you use are river rocks or something like that? 3. Do you like loamy or gypsum-like soils for Arios?

What climate are you in? The dad mention “my climate” a lot but where in USA ? Thanks.

I use the same mix with all my cactus including the ariocarpus and they seem fine. Cactus quest did a vid recently and he said his ario roots were still wet or moist after 1 week. I think the reason ur stuff rotted is that brown sand (?) It seems to be all around the root which probs caused it to suffocate

Nice shirt mr cactus duty :)

You can propagate tubercles of ariocarpus. Or you can cut them off.

Try using only pumice (without organic! may be instead about 10% zeolite), use dilluted cactus fertilizer with each watering and you will be surprised by the result.

maybe rub the interior of the clay pots with bee's wax. the wax will seep its way into the clay over time.

Great ideas on preventing root rot😌🙌🌟I think hydrogen peroxide does a good job killing bacteria on a struggling cactus and really cleans up wounds and fungal issues

Are those Godzilla’s where can I buy one?