My experience (long ago) with "bagged topsoil" is that it is mostly cr*p. The Scotts name might, however, assure some quality. "So called" topsoil is likely to be an accurate description. I agree that you need to just mix compost into the topsoil you already have. I don't think peat moss will really serve any purpose, unless you're trying to lighten up clay. It's pretty pricey as well.

Unfortunately you are not the first to find this problem when growing in containers. I am somewhat amazed that the cannas could receive enough water and nutrients to produce this growth in your container. You must be doing something right. Do you happen to know which canna cultivar you are growing and how many plants/rhizomes did you plant in each container? In your lengthy growing area, cannas typically need to be divided, thinned and replanted each/every spring. A 22” container needs to start with only one or two small healthy plants in the spring. The container may look bare to start but good plant or root stock will easily fill this container and reach its full potential each year. The choice of cultivar and container size will often be a determining factor in successful results. Because many of these containers can be expensive I would recommend removing the rhizomes however you find suitable. Do not be concerned about cutting or damaging the rhizomes. You will likely find that most will survive the surgery and you will likely have more pieces than you need to replant. In fact, your biggest problem is the removal and what to do with the excess rhizomes. Good luck and let us know how things work out. Kent

If it looks that bad, I don't think I would want an exchange, I would want my money back. Read the warranty and just stick to your guns. Don't accept another product that may get them through the warranty period but will ultimately fail too. If they insist, then tell them you want the warranty restarted. Get everything in writing before it is reordered.

Where are you climate wise, city, etc.? Can you post a pic? How big i the bark you're using? Cymbidiums are generally pretty easy to grow. And bark is easy to modify with perlite or large to small pieces depending on grow conditions. What I do when in between sizes is fill bottom 3rd with Styrofoam peanuts packing material OR very large pieces of bark and then fill the rest with small terrestrial orchid size bark.