Fine Desert sand is NOT something to be used for C&S plants. It will cause drainage problems & clog up the plants' roots & be nothing but trouble. I can't speak strongly enough AGAINST it. We try to discourage using sand at all (tho' some folks will use COARSE sand or builders sand, never fine sand) .

If the MG C&S mix is what you've got, perhaps just use 50/50% w/ perlite, omit the sand entirely. (I grow C&S indoors only, mostly succ, few cacti except Holiday Cacti .)

Hi Lee,

I would agree with PG that fine sand is the wrong thing. I searched & found a recent thread where I elaborated about my soil mix. Feel free to ask questions if it's confusing, the recipe is spread throughout the description.
This is what I'm doing now that works for my conditions, was taught to me by a real master. You'll find, if you search, people's soil mixes are as individual as themselves. Your conditions and practices should dictate your soil blend. In one hot, dry New Mexico greenhouse that I'm familiar with, the soil is about 60% sandy desert dirt. That would never work for me here on the coast.

Link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: It's just like... my opinion, man.

Pls. note on the attached link, -- the last comment's cautions not to start Lithops seeds, now, wrong time of year, wait 'til Sept.

Thank you hanz and pg!

Yes, Hanz, I did see your earlier post. But 1) I am a frugal Bostonian and was hoping I could do with what I had already bought, and 2) I really wanted to repot the 2 little Lithops I had before I go on vacation next week, but have zero time to hunt and get pumice and "washed sand".

sigh

The other stuff I can get.

Thank you both for steering me away from desert sand!

Lee

if you are in Boston, I bet you can find a whole bunch of different grades of granite.