I think I found an answer to my question in this thread http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1468691/best-brand-of-potting-mix-also-easiest-varieties-of-begonias

However, I now have more questions. If I'm able to find Fafard's 51L or 3, how often should I have to water a 15 gal. pot in about 8-10 of sun in Southern California?

I have bought FoxFarm's Ocean Forest before, but I don't think it has any pine bark in it (which sounds like a key ingredient in Fafard's mixes). How well would it work for potted citrus trees?

As I wrote on another post, you really don't have to go with one of the exotic blends for a potting medium for citrus trees. On the other citrus forum, many growers simply use Miracle Grow Garden Soil (not Miracle Grow potting soil) with great long term success. I used to use exotic mixes, but with all the success so many growers were having with MG Garden Soil, I decided to try it. It works wonderful. I now have perhaps a dozen different citrus cultivars growing in it without a single regret. Works well. - Silica

I strongly advise against using the Miracle Gro Garden Soil in a container. Even the manufacturer warns against that on their labels.

Fafard's Nursery Mix is another good one to seek out. I've never had a problem having a privately owned nursery or garden center special order my annual supply of Fafard for me. The big box stores won't/can't do that.

You might want to click on the link I've provided. Fafard was purchased by SunGro a few years ago and they've started to change the packaging. You want to scroll down to see the Heavyweight mixes.

Click here for SunGro-Fafard PROFESSIONAL mixes .

Some years ago, I was sent a sample of the FoxFarm Ocean Forest potting mix. It was so fine-textured (as opposed to coarse) that I never even attemped to use it in a container. I did use some as a seed starting mix, and it functioned okay for that purpose. Most of it was scattered over my lawn.

rhizo, I appreciate your comment concerning Miracle Grow Garden Soil for citrus trees. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, it is hard to argue against success. The dozen trees I have growing in it for the last two years are growing strong. It is commonly used by growers on the other forum, with the same success that my trees are showing. Of course, as always your free to use it or not. It's still called America.. - Silica

You can go to an Armstrong Garden Center and buy their EB Stone Citrus or Cactus Mix. It will be fine for Citrus for a year, maybe two. It will help if you use a porous pot like Terracotta. It will help if you use a wick.

If you want to improve it, buy a bag of their Micro Bark and use at least as much Micro Bark as Citrus Mix.

If you want to improve that, add some Pumice or Turface. If you want to make the next step, mix the components by pouring bucket to bucket in a stiff wind and let the dust get carried away by the wind, preferably into a planting bed.

Of course, if you find both the Pumice and Turface, you might as well skip the Citrus/Cactus mix and just use the Micro Bark. Now your getting close to Gritty Mix, or at least as close as I've found ideal for Citrus in a TerraCotta Pot in the SoCal Inland valley where I am.

Silica, of course you are free to use anything you wish for your plants! That you should encourage the use of a product in a manner expressly discouraged on the manufacturer's own label is my concern.

If you are going to recommend its use for container growing, you should clarify to the reader that Miracle Gro doesn't want their product to be used in containers, and warns against it several times on the label.

By all means, share your successes, too.

Thanks everybody. Mixing EB Stone Citrus or Cactus Mix with Micro Bark sounds easy (I wouldn't have to call places and special order Farfard mixes). Unfortunately getting rid of the small particles/dust crosses the line for me, so I won't be doing that. Just curious, would a Farfard mix still be better than this mix? Would Farfard last longer than 1 to 2 years? If it makes any difference, I think my pots are made of fiberglass.

Silica, I have a one gallon citrus tree that I don't know what to do with. I think I'll try MG Garden Soil with that one and see what happens. It will be interesting.

Could someone provide a link with specific instructions on how to use a wick for drainage?

Again, thank you so much for all your help.

Hey, did you ever pot your trees into the Miracle Garden Soil?