African violet soil mix
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A light peat, vermiculite and perlite mix with lime and fertilizer, made for African violets.
What You’ll Need
Cornell Modified Peat Lite Soilless Mix
- 2 1/4 quarts peat moss
- 1 1/4 quarts vermiculite
- 1 1/4 quarts perlite
- 2 1/2 tablespoons limestone
- 1 1/4 teaspoons superphosphate
Soil mix
- 1 part peat moss humus, or leaf mold
- 1 part garden soil
- 1 part perlite vermiculite, or sand
Equipment
- baking sheet
Directions
- Mix the ingredients together.
- If you blend your own mix, pasteurize every ingredient: fill a large roasting pan with moist mix, cover it with foil, and push a meat thermometer into the center.
- Bake at 180F for one hour, or use the barbecue method: bring the temperature up to 160F and hold it there for 30 minutes.
- Take off the foil and let the mix air out for at least four days, stirring it several times a day.
Notes
Don’t let the mix go above 180F or beneficial soil bacteria are killed. Soilless mixes generally need regular weak doses of African violet fertilizer.
Safety: Wear gloves and a dust mask with limestone, superphosphate, and dry peat/perlite. Keep fertilizers away from pets and kids.