Hi everyone.

Krista - I live in Australia so am not the best person to be giving you advice as our growing conditions are totally different. However, I have found there are as many different potting mixes as there are growers, with each grower having their own "secret" recipe for a mix which is the "best".

This is simply because everyone's growing conditions are different and the mixes need to be different to suit these conditions and there is no simple "One Fit's All" solution. The main thing though, is that it must be free draining and doesn't remain wet.

I would advise you to see if you can find a grower or a bromeliad society in your area and contact them for answers to your questions, I'm sure they'll be only too happy to help.

Also you could go to http://fcbs.org/ which is the web site of the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies. This is a wonderful site and is a wealth of information put together by dedicated and respected bromeliad people. I've even heard it called the "Brom Grower's Bible", and I'm sure you'll find answers to your questions there.

If you start by going to the home page and select "Bromeliad Information" from the index on the left and then select "Culture", I'm sure your answers will be in there.

I hope this helps a bit

All the best, Nev.

Thanks Nev. I will definitely look into that website.

My own mix is 30% potting soil, 50% small orchid bark, and 20% pumice. I stay away from perlite.

Gonzer, why do you stay away from perlite?

Here is another site: http://www.bromeliads.info/beginners-guide-bromeliad-pups/ with some info (see link at bottom, I think - not sure why it is there). I use a mixture of cactus soil and small bark for my bromeliads, but it depends on how big the roots are. Some make extensive roots and some do not. Some of the really big ones, such as portea petropolitana extensa we plant in the ground, as they quickly outgrow pots.

Hi everyone.

Krista - Congratulations, it seems like you're now on the right track of successfully growing bromeliads; well done.

All the best, Nev.

Thanks for the update.

tj

Krista, sorry for the long delay about your query on why I avoid perlite. It floats and has no water retention capacity while pumice stays put and does hold water. Cat litter is also something I've heard that works well for holding water then releasing it when needed; I don't know, I'm a dog person.

Hi everyone.

Gonzer - I heard that "Cat Litter" is good also but I've never tried it on my brom's either. They do use a lot of it at the Light Rail Museum though as an absorbent for soaking up oil dripped out of the locos. So it's probably worth a try as it's less expensive than Perlite.

All the best, Nev.

I think cat litter is supposed to work as a water retentive media in some mixes, because it's made of clay. I think a lot of cat litter will clump up, or turn to mush after it gets wet.

For whatever reason, it's been difficult for me to source pumice in larger quantities here. There is a specialty store that's 30 minutes away, but their prices are a bit much.

The best way to obtain pumice is to make friendly with a cactus nursery where they mix their own soil. Most times the have pumice delivered in 15-20 yard loads. One of my local ones lets me fill a trashcan for $20. Always be nice to the different nurseries, you may need them for something special in the future.

Depending on how much pumice you need, check this link.

tj