3.
ADJUST FOR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
 Add
extra amounts of peat moss or perlite to suit plants
with particular needs. If you are mixing soil for
African violets, for example, you should add extra peat
plus more perlite; for succulents double the perlite or
sand. Some experts advise adding ground limestone if a
more alkaline mix is needed, or extra peat moss for a
very acid one. But most houseplants are happy enough
with a mix that is just slightly acid, as the houseplant
thirds is. To give plants an extra boost, some experts
recommend adding a pinch or two of
bone meal. This is not necessary, however, as the
packaged soil will almost certainly include some kind of
nutritive substance. In any case, do not add any
fertilizer to the mix—it is probably rich enough as it
is.
 4.
LABEL ANY LEFTOVER MIX
If you end up with soil mix left over, put it in a
plastic bag, seal the bag tightly with a twist-tie, and
label it explicitly so that you will know at a later
date precisely what ingredients have gone into it.
Larger quantities can be stored in small plastic garbage
cans.
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