In what is probably an overreaction to having had a mix that was a little too water retentive, I have begun placing a mix that is best described as a well draining loam beneath the bulbs, then the same but light on soil and organic material around the bulbs, then topping with a fast draining material. A grit, such as decomposed granite will supposedly deter snails and slugs but I don't believe mine have heard about that. Randy --- On Tue, 1/31/12, Alan O'Leary <aoleary@esc.net.au> wrote: > > I notice in these photos and previous ones of your own potted plants there > is a fine gravel or grit - is this just a topping on the growing media or > does the entire media consist of this? > >