How to make compost suitable for succulents

I got a few mini succulents from Homebase at the beginning of summer. I feel I should repot them as I'm aware the compost they are sold in is often not suitable for them.

I've stopped watering them to let go dormant over winter, but as they are in such tiny pots and they're so dry, they often fall over and the compost spills everywhere.

I've held off buying cactus compost as it is expensive though I've also found lots of people online saying "don't use cactus compost".

So, how can I make a suitable compost at home? Forgive me, but I don't really want to go and buy a big bag of something I'm only going to use a tiny bit of...

I've got multipurpose compost, gravel, sharp sand, builders sand...and I've heard people mention you can use cat litter?! Can I do anything with these things to make a suitable soil?

I'm attaching a pic!

I should add I'm quite new to gardening so don't know about all the different types of compost.

 

Hi Wren, was wondering the same. I bought 2 houseleeks from bnq. My label says dig soil improver and bonemeal into planting area, position plant so root ball is level with surface, replace soil firm and water.. however I done a bit of googling most mentioned using stones or gravel so I'm a bit lost too.

 

Hi Wren,

I grow a few succulents and I've never potted them in anything other than normal multi-purpose compost. The thing to remember is not to overpot them. I notice that you have a Crassula ( Money or Jade plant ), these grow better if you only pot on when it's absolutely necessary and then preferably into a shallow container as they are shallow rooting.

 

Hi Lyn,

Houseleeks are a different matter as these are outdoor plants. These need good drainage, so putting into a gravelly spot is better. They will even grow in cracks in paving or walls etc.

 

Well, as you know, now is not a good time to be repotting.
At this time of the year I'd tend to replant, pot and all, into a slightly bigger pot of just grit, if its just stability problems, then repot properly in spring.

Are you growing them as house plants or in a cool greenhouse?
It makes a bit of difference regarding watering.

 

If you mean me, I am growing them as house plants. Is it right not to water them until Spring?

 

Thanks for the advice. Sorry, what does overpot mean? Putting them in a pot that's too big?

 

You might need to water just a bit over winter, depending on temperature, just dont let them shrivel too much.
I'd still not repot properly until spring.
Then I would use JI no3 with 50% grit added, or you could use 25% sharp sand, 25% grit.

 

Thank you Mr Rogers will put them outdoors and sorry Wren, I thought they were the same.