"Did you later start using the gritty mix and abandon the basic mix?" No. I use the gritty mix for plants that will be in the same soil for more than a single growth cycle. I use the 5:1:1 mix for all my veggies and display containers for the decks & gardens. I usually turn the 5:1:1 mix into the gardens, beds, or the compost pile at the end of the season. You got the gritty mix right, but The 5:1:1 mix is 5 parts partially composted pine bark fines 1 part sphagnum peat 1 part perlite garden lime The granite for the gritty mix is usually found at rural elevators/feed stores under the name "Gran-I-Grit" (grower size) or Cherry Stone (#2 size). Al

The Gubler Nurseries website doesn't give any information on their mediums, but the words "fine grade" give a small indication of what you might expect. Of the two shown, that's the one I'd choose. Once you actually open the bag and get a look at the medium, you'll be better able to gauge particle size, and whether or not you'll have to adjust it in any way for your application. Might I suggest pre-moistening the mix before using. Normally, when I prepare my version of the Gritty Mix, I add a little moisture/water to the bucket, mix well, cover it, and allow it to sit for a while so the moisture soaks into the bark particles and is evenly dispersed within the mix. I don't want it to end up sopping wet or too difficult to work with, but plant roots respond much better to being potted in a pre-moistened mix... and it also makes future waterings disperse more evenly throughout the pot of medium. I also keep my bucket of medium inside so the soil temperature is kept at room temperature, and not cold as to shock the roots of plants I'm using it to pot up. Using a medium with larger particles than the average bagged soils sold will take a bit of adjustment for the grower to get used to watering more often... but this is actually a good thing, as it allows to more closely observe your plants. You'll notice any problems sooner, such as tiny insects, any plant problems, etc... and can jump right on them before they become issues. If you like, it might be helpful to do a quick forum search for information on the Gritty Mix and the 511 Mix, so you can see photos of what they look like, and can read a bit about how growers in various areas use them. Unfortunately for us gardeners, the industry isn't, and hasn't been, very forthcoming about the fact that container growing plants is really not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. There are many variables unique to each person/grower, such as climate, micro-environment, type of plants grown, time you're able to devote, etc... If I had known 35 years ago what I know today, I'd have been so much more successful. I'd have lost a significantly smaller number of plants and bulbs to my own ignorance, and to the assumption that the gardening industry was honest and there to help me. I wish the first thing I had learned was that growing within the confines of a pot is completely different than growing in the ground, and that because of those huge differences, it's best to save the more organic methods for the garden, while employing a more inorganic approach to growing in pots. It's almost impossible to maintain the same balanced environment in a pot that Mother Nature maintains in the ground... therefore, using more inorganic and controllable methods with container culture makes it easier to maintain healthy plants... because you control the moisture, the balanced nutrition, the light amount, the location, etc. I hope some of this is helpful to you. We're always happy to answer questions to the best of our ability, so feel free to ask. Happy Gardening!

If you added pumice in the planting holes, when it rains heavily, water will move laterally into those holes and fill them with water until the entire water table percolates through the surrounding clay. Essentially, you've created a bowl & then filled it with an airy substance that provides lots of air pockets water will happily occupy when it rains hard or when you irrigate. I'd defer to others more expert in preparing a succulent bed for the right mix of soil, but I'm thinking that maybe 3 parts of builder's sand, 1 part of pea stone or scoria, and 1 part of OM that breaks down slowly won't be far off. It would be best on top of existing undisturbed soil if you can manage that, and unless you want to leave things to chance, some sort of system that ensures water flows FROM your planting areas should be incorporated into the design. If I was there to actually see the sight, I could be much more specific, but geography is limiting. A local landscaper you trust might be worth paying for an opinion. Al

Bingo! That is where I get mine. The regular pine bark mulch in the blue bag is very good. They also sell 1/2 and 1/4 inch hardware cloth (wire) if you did want to sift. http://myagway.com/catalog/product/117217/agway-pine-bark-mulch-3-cuft#.WH-mdSMrKiY I also found some nice soil conditioner in Stauffers. I bought a bag to see what it was like, and it was partially composted. Perfect for 5-1-1. I went back to get a few more bags, and someone had bought the rest of the pallet! Luckily they got more. I'll have to look at the bag and post what the brand is.