Mix and let sit for 2 weeks minimum for lime to adjust Ph 5.1.1 5 parts pine bark fines (partially composted fines are best) 1 part sphagnum peat (not reed or sedge peat please) 1-2 parts perlite garden lime (or gypsum for acid loving plants) controlled release fertilizer (optional) micro-nutrient powder, other source of micro-nutrients (optional) Big batch: 2-3 cu ft pine bark fines 5 gallons peat 5 gallons perlite 2 cups dolomitic garden lime (or gypsum for acid loving plants) 2 cups CRF (optional) 1/2 cup micro-nutrient powder (or other source of the minors - provided in some fertilizers) Small batch: 3 gallons pine bark 1/2 gallon peat 1/2 gallon perlite 4 tbsp lime - 1tbsp per gallon of finished soil (or gypsum in some cases) 1/4 cup CRF (if preferred) micro-nutrient powder (or other source of the minors) GRITTY MIX 1 part uncomposted screened pine or fir bark (1/8-1/4") 1 part screened Turface 1 part crushed Gran-I-Grit (grower size) or #2 cherrystone 1 Tbsp gypsum per gallon of soil CRF (if desired) Source of micro-nutrients or use a fertilizer that contains all essentials I use 1/8 -1/4 tsp Epsom salts per gallon of fertilizer solution when I fertilize (check your fertilizer - if it is soluble, it is probable it does not contain Ca or Mg.

As far as whether to separate them ... now that you already have them in vermiculite, it's probably best to wait until spring. Then you can separate them if you want. But when you separate, you have to make sure there's a piece of the crown (the bottom of the stem) with at least one eye on it, attached to each tuber. "They" say that it's easier to see the eyes in the spring. If you do a google search on dahlia tubers, you'll find tons of different ways of dividing and storing. The one from your local Dahlia society might be best for you. I felt more confident after watching a bunch of videos on youtube of people dividing them. That is to say, more confident ... but still not terribly confident! I divided mine in the fall (today!) because I don't have a cool place to store them other than my fridge. I'm hoping I got them divided right!

For an update on my discoveries, I did go with chc 4-1 mix for my lychee and gritty mix for my mango. Mango is now dead, I just could not keep up on the constant need for watering, and did not have it automated. The lychee has done great in chc. It is very sensitive to dry, do not want it to dry out. I killed one even in chc which is awesome at moisture retention. Still, you really gotta keep it watered (conveniently impossible to over water in chc). My lychee would have died quickly like my mango if I did gritty mix. Not knocking gritty mix. Its good stuff. My young, moisture sensitive papaya loved it. solved my root rot issues on prior papaya attempts in other mediums. Just gotta remember to keep it watered, whatever you put in it!

I don't grow Longan but grow Lychee...they have similar growing conditions I believe? Longan being less fussy and might be more tolerant to frost than lychee. You don't say what zone you live in? Are you planting this in the ground or in a Pot? I believe lychee and longan both love water and don't tolerate the soil drying out completely....Keep the soil "moist" NOT sopping wet or the roots and leaves get damaged... If you're planning on growing it in a pot...here's a link below from the Tropical Fruit Forum a while back...Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Longan in a Pot...(GW)