Dave--no need for plant food since you are going to transplant them right away anyway. Seeds have have their own food source when starting out. Duane

Thank you. You all have been so helpful. I have gleaned new and useful information. I have 7 bands that are potted in the local nursery's organic potting soil with the ingredients listed above. The next 8 bands will be potted this evening in the Miracle Gro with moisture control. These bands have been received anywhere from 5 - 8 days apart. I am really curious to see what the difference will be between the bands that arrived last week to those arriving this week. The ones planted in organic planting soil will receive a very weak dose of fish emulsion every Sunday. The M.G. plants will receive water. Roseseek, thank you for the information and the images:) Again, Thank you all:) Lynn This post was edited by desertgarden561 on Fri, Jul 19, 13 at 19:26

There really isn't any shortcut to this. You need to repot everything with fresh potting soil. You do not necessarily need to move each plant into a larger container but you DO need to replace the soil. Potting soil degrades, compacts and loses its ability to drain quickly over time. The fact that you think you need to add soil to the top of the containers is clear evidence of this. As is the state of the plants growing in it - they are suffering. While I wouldn't ordinarily recommend it, even the cheapo potting mixes available at places like Walmart or Home Depot are better than what you have now. At least for this growing season. Consider it an investment in your plants :-)

Like I said, the MG stuff would not be my first choice :) And I certainly would avoid the regular MG potting soil.....it doesn't even drain well enough for more moisture loving houseplants!! I wouldn't dream of using it for succs. I use a proprietary blend sold by a local grower and wholesaler of cacti and succulents. It is closer to the gritty mix, being one part bark to one part coarse perlite or pumice and one part cherrystone poultry grit (available at feed stores). Drains fast and well. Bonsai Jack is a good choice as well. ETA: perlite and pumice are really interchangeable. One or the other - no neeed to use both.