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African violet soil mix

Course DIY
Keyword african violets, houseplants, indoor gardening, potting mix
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
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

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.