Justaguy, my soil mix was mainly organic potting mix (whatever brand they have here - it wasn't Miracle Gro), some manure compost and Perlite. The guy at the garden center said that's all I'd need. Every couple weeks I'd add some organic fertilizer. Sounds fine except the manure part. Of course I have no idea what was in the mix itself. The fungus gnats love decaying, moist organic matter and roots do not :) If you have a serious problem with gnats that is a good indication the potting mix is holding too much water and the manure by virtue of it's small particle size will do this as well as feed the gnat larvae. I recommend leaving it out of containers. I just got back from the store and $150 later I found all of the ingredients in Al's Mix with the exception of the lime. That is really unusual. Usually people have trouble finding the pine bark fines or perlite in bulk or something like that. Lime, at least in the US, is nearly ubiquitous. Does the island tend to have ground soils of high pH? If so that would explain why locals haven't heard of lime, it would probably never get used. Ask for dolomite lime and if you just get blank stares maybe order it online, you won't need much. Bite the bullet and buy a 5lb bag plus shipping and you should have enough to last several seasons. I feel for you if you actually have to mail order it as in the states we can just buy 50 pounds of it for a couple bucks. You really do need it to counter the pH of the bark/peat acidity and supply calcium to the mix so some is available to the plants. If you can't find some locally click on my username and email me, I will ship you some. I noticed Al's Mix doesn't call for any type of dirt or pre-made soil. Could that be right? Yes, and the reason is all about particle size. If you use dirt it will always be super small particles and in containers they hold way too much water. Holding water is good, but the problem is that small particles will hold water in the spaces between particles that would otherwise hold air which roots are going to need. It's a balancing act between those spaces holding water and air and soil/dirt will hold all water and no air in containers. Al's 5-1-1 mix is well tested by forum folks and I have yet to hear from anyone who thought it resulted in poor plant performance. I know you might be reading this with some doubts, but if you read through the water/air movement threads on this forum you will find so many testimonials as to it's success that your concerns will be laid to rest.

The steps in Integrated Pest Management are, 1. Identify the problem, (which you have done) 2. Determine if a control is necessary. (also done) 3. Determine the least toxic, least environmentally harmful, means of control. 4. Apply that means of control. 5. Review. So you have a problem, the Stripped Cucumber Beetle, in fairly large numbers and since they are on the plants Floating Row covers would not help at this time. Next would be are there predators present in large enough numebrs to control the buggers and if not what would be next? Would Insecticidal Soap work? If that did not then maybe Neem Oil products. If that did not work then maybe a pyrethrin product. And for next year plan on placing the Floating Row Covers when the melons are planted as well as making sure you have a good, healthy soil to grow them in.

Eddie--Since the USDA took over, we have a National Organic Program (NOP), that requires that certified organic growers use certified organic seed (from certified organic plants). Many growers dropped out of the program--a supply of certified organic seeds was not in place, and they're still quite expensive. Nevertheless, it does have merit. Seems that about 90% of the seeds sold in the world come from a few large companies, which scares some. Didn't even remember I had a trade list--thanks for updating me.

I appreciate the experienced eye. I'm leaning towards mites, as well. The entire collection is affected with this plague. Everything from my beloved, mammilaria theresea to all my hybrid echinopsis. Many are irreplaceable and rare as the sources are no longer available. My plants didn't have issues with sun in the 4 years before, then one Spring I began to see what looked like dry rot. It appeared while under the patio protected from weeks of rain in late Winter. Thanks milevskistefan My understanding of mite infestations is they are more active when the cactus begins growth of new green. Some mites like humid others hot and dry so still no clue what type if they are present. 30x loupe......I'll see where I can find one..... Thanks for the help, advise and support.