Hi Mike! Thank you for your tips! I know that the 511 requires dolomite lime (which I lack), and prefers partially composted pine bark (...I only have Reptibark-which is uncomposted), and perlite (that should be screened right? I kept on searching through the container gardening forum for the ORIGINAL 511 mix ingredients but some of them weren't super clear as to bark size, perlite size...Al's 511 is so popular that everyone is talking about the 511 and Gritty but it is not super easy to find all the ingredient in detail together all at once). I do have the gritty mix ingredients on hand (since ALL of my other plants are in the Gritty Mix). I just really don't have experience with barerooting citrus into the Gritty Mix, and I am scared to risk such a great quality tree from four winds. If I do decide to put it into the gritty, what size pot should I choose (the 3 year size from four winds), and what should I pay particular attention to with regard to kumquat bareroot potting? Thank you for your help!!! I really appreciate it. Ruby

I know everyone's soil/region is different. I am so disgusted with my soil this year. Nothing but rock-hard red clay that practically bakes into Terra Cotta in the sun. Even the topsoil we used for some of the raised beds crusts over pretty hard on top and needs some work. A local daylily grower/seller in Georgia who also used to grow them in Florida's almost 100% sandy soil told me the best thing I could do for my daylilies in this area is mix in as much sand as possible with the soil that's there and be sure and break up all the large dirt chunks. Pretty labor intensive but sand is cheap and I figured it's worth a shot. Supposedly easier for the roots to grow through it if it's sandier. I may have to water more frequently but each time you water it's actually getting where it needs to go unlike my hard clay where it just runs off right now and isn't really soaking down to the roots. He's successfully grown and had a buisness for years so I figure he knows what he's talking about. Of course that black mid-western/northern soil would be wonderful too but would cost a pretty penny here. Good luck with your clumps! Danielle

You realy have to watch river sand in my experiences it will clump and hold moisture. Many palms especially a pony tail (which is realy not a palm ) does not like to stay wet. Just keep a watch on your soil. just my 2 cents lol .

A light mix with plenty of organic matter will do fine. In my opinion, perlite is better than vermiculite. Vermiculite, if abused, can lead to a soggy mix that drains poorly and harms most plants.