Question
I had a coleus plant which was about to die so since there was nothing I could do to save it I took stem cuttings and rooted them in water and about a week ago I planted 4 of them in a mixture of potting soil I got which contains (I think) soil and leaf mold (!). Unfortunately 1 of them died completely and 1 was about to die so once again I took them out of soil and back in water. Now as I think the problem was with the potting soil I really need to know exactly what kind of soil I should use for potting my rooted cuttings. I want to mix and make my potting soil myself since it's not easy trusting the shops!!!
P.s: if you think something else could have caused he problem please let me know.
many thanks.

Answer
Mary,

I mix my own soil. You can buy compost, peat moss in the square cube type bags, and perlite (the white stuff that looks like styrofoam pellets). Mix thos in equal parts.  Or I buy cheap potting soil that is usually a mixture of compost or muck soil and peat with a tiny bit of perlite tossed in. Then I buy an extra bag of perlite and mix that to the ratio of 2 parts cheap potting soil to 1 part of perlite. The perlite adds extra drainage so your plants do not tend to get root rot which is what it sounds like your coleus plants may have had. If plants roots are constantly wet they will quickly rot. The reason for perlite and not vermiculite (both are volcanic products) is that vermiculite breaks down over time and perlite does not. Good well draining soil is the key to healthy plants. You are on the right track. Good luck.

Darlene