In response to Bern's question "Does anyone use as a soil amendment a clay fired kitty litter that is similar to Akadama in their potting medium that is available in the USA?" I have not tried the fired clay and here in California pumice and scoria are reasonably priced and work well for me. So this a tangent, not an answer. Recently I did some online research what growing media are used by two other specialty growers that might apply to some of our bulbs that need an airy fast-draining, long-lasting, water holding medium: growers of Lithops and Bonsai. Apparently they have more time to video and post to YouTube than us species bulb from seed growers. Akadama looks promising, although expensive, so I can see why you are looking for an alternative. The fired clay spherical pebbles look interesting. I have not tried Turface. Turface looks cheaper but gets mixed reviews from Bonsai growers. Has anyone tried those? Watching all those YouTube views of others' growing conditions I realize my successes may be due more to dry-summer wet-winter moderate temperatures and sunlight with breeze but not too much wind than to any particular practice of mine. I grow everything outdoors. Others are growing under lights in a basement or windowsill. Gastil Overthinking all aspects of bulb growing _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…