Is it better to use Akadama soil or peat soil for succulents (peat soil and Akadama soil are used as nutrient soil)

About Akadama

Akadama is a sedimentary lava of volcanic ash. Most of the imported Akadama comes from Japan. It is divided into second-line and third-line according to the hardness of the particles.

Generally, Akadama is a sterile, slightly acidic granular matrix with good root affinity and can be used alone .

It is used to grow some Haworthia succulents with relatively developed root systems. It can also be used for cutting propagation and leaf cutting seedling cultivation. It can also be used as paving stones or for soil preparation to improve soil properties .

Among the many granular matrices, it is relatively expensive and has a certain degree of powderiness, but it is rich in mineral trace elements.

In addition to helping succulents to color, it can also improve their resistance to stress, and has good performance in improving soil, maintaining the dry-wet balance of potting soil, and rooting .

About Peat Soil

Peat is plant residue that has accumulated over the years in riverbeds and swamps and has not been completely decomposed. It is rich in organic matter and trace mineral elements.

It is also a slightly acidic matrix with the advantages of being light, breathable and highly fluffy. It is the main component of various nutrient soils on the market.

Peat soil can be combined with a variety of commonly used gardening substrates, and is often paired with perlite and coconut coir to form a universal nutrient soil that can basically be used for all kinds of common potted plants .

There is a difference between imported peat and Northeastern peat. Imported peat is mainly composed of mosses, rich in crude fiber and relatively expensive, while Northeastern peat is mainly composed of peat. However, both are improved and commercialized products.

Is Akadama soil or peat soil more nutritious for succulents?

Both Akadama and peat soil are substrates that can be used alone or mixed. The main difference between them lies in their functionality.

In contrast, peat is rich in organic matter and mineral trace elements, has more comprehensive nutrients, and can provide abundant nitrogen for plant growth.

Akadama soil is mainly responsible for providing trace elements, balancing dryness and wetness, and increasing root permeability. It is beneficial for controlling the shape and coloring of succulents. Taking all factors into consideration, it is recommended to mix the two with other substrates to achieve the best effect.