Wow! Interesting about that potting mix, Robin. I avoid bark in ANY mix, like the plague. I find, it's great for drainage in the very short term, but when it starts to decompose, it invites Phytopthera lickity split. I know you're a pro at Cyclamen, so I'm sure it works for you. Mixes not only depend on ingredients but the skill and habits of the grower. For instance , a heavy waterer would definitely need a super drained soil. I know of a grower who uses nearly pure sand, and repot his plants right away , as i know i can have better control over my own mix. Just sayin. On Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 2:16 PM, <robin@hansennursery.com> wrote: > > > Matt, > > For years I've used a Eugene company's "potting mix" which consists of > compost, fine bark, sand and pumice with the merest touch of starter > fertilizer. The last two years or so I have added additional pumice, so > that the pumice makes up 1/4 to 1/3 of the mix, then add a tablespoon of > bonemeal, stirred in. I also make sure I don't use any larger pot size > than absolutely necessary. > > The other consideration I give is to where in my shade house or canyard I > place the cyclamen. Purpurascens, parvifolium and repandum go to the > shadier end, as do balearicum, cyprium and libanoticum. Graecum goes out > in full sun, even in pots, and persicum and africanum are on the sunniest > end of the shade house, where at times in the summer they receive brief > full sun, since the end of the house is open in the summer and has no end > shade cloth. > > Just keep in mind that I'm on the southwest coast of Oregon a mile and a > half in from the beach, with summer fogs and lots of wind. Although this > summer, we have been decidedly warmer on a day-to-day basis. Watering has > to be watched carefully with this free-draining mix and I will often > "swipe" the containers when dormant almost daily. In other words, they > receive a bit of moisture but definitely not a soaking. > > Robin Hansen > Hansen Nursery > Southwestern Oregon Coast, USA > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ >