In this article, we will discuss soil mixing for shrubs.

• Shrubs do not have an obvious main trunk and are generally small trees in a clustered state.
• The majority are perennial, with some varieties having above-ground parts that die in winter, while others withstand the cold.
• Most shrubs grow relatively quickly during their growth period. Due to the numerous branches and a large number of flowers and leaves, they have higher water and fertilizer requirements.
• Shrubs have various types of root systems, including deep or shallow root systems, a significant number of fine roots, and an obvious main root, among others. Most shrubs are drought-resistant, preferring environments with fast dry-wet cycles and no waterlogging.
• Example varieties include roses, gardenias, blueberries, raspberries, honeysuckle, morning glory, boxwood, etc.

    Currently, when purchasing shrubs, most gardening enthusiasts choose from two forms: small seedlings, which just propagated or in small pots and medium to large seedlings, which over 1 year old, size depending on the growth of the variety.

Small Seedlings → Medium-Sized Pot (Approximately 20cm)

    Small seedlings are usually freshly propagated, in pots around 7-8 cm in size, with the roots almost filling the container. Therefore, when bringing them home, transplant them into a slightly larger pot (around 20 cm) for better growth.

Soil mix for small pots:

• Casual version: Peat moss 60%, Coconut coir 20%, Perlite 20%
• Upgraded version: Peat moss 50%, Coconut coir 20%, Perlite 20%, Vermiculite 10%
• Luxury version: Peat moss 40%, Coconut coir 20%, Perlite 10%, Vermiculite 10%, Pine bark 10%, Rice husk charcoal 10%
• For home care, most shrubs need to be cared for outdoors in well-ventilated and well-lit areas. In regions with frequent rain and high humidity, the proportion of particles in the medium can be increased.

Small Pot → Large Pot, Gradually Increasing in Size

    As the maintenance time for shrubs increases, the plants will grow larger, and the root system may outgrow the existing pots. When gradually moving to larger pots, pay more attention to air circulation and drainage.

Soil mix for large pots:

• Casual version: Peat moss 50%, Coconut coir 20%, Perlite 20%, Rice husk charcoal 10%
• Upgraded version: Peat moss 40%, Coconut coir 20%, Perlite 10%, Vermiculite 10%, Rice husk charcoal 10%, Granules soil 10%
• Luxury version: Peat moss 30%, Coconut coir 20% (replace with coarse coconut shell if available), Perlite 10%, Pumice 10%, Pine bark 10%, Rice husk charcoal 10%, Granules soil 10%

    For home care, almost 99% of shrubs in large pots need outdoor maintenance, and we need to discuss this categorically:

• Balcony: You can slightly increase the proportion of peat or coconut coir.
• Terrace: If it's often cloudy or rainy, you can replace a certain proportion (5-10%) of peat in the soil mix with coconut coir.

    For general soil mixing for shrubs, the above methods are sufficient. Gardening enthusiasts need to continuously explore and make improvements to the recommended soil mix ratios based on their planting environment to achieve perfection. It is emphasized again that the key to adjustment is understanding the plants and your own planting environment.

    Considering the common watering mistakes made by beginners, the soil mix ratios in this article include a larger proportion of breathable and well-draining media, making it more suitable for beginners and gardening enthusiasts in rainy areas. The advantage of these soil mixes is that even if overwatering occurs occasionally, the plants will not suffer from root rot. However, the downside is that during hot and sunny summer days, the frequency of watering will be relatively high.