Haha, Rina, I do have grit, perlite and pumice in the house, but not turface...

And I know I COULD shovel it out, but I am so done with shovelling snow right now!

I think you'd be fine without the turface....

Thanks Lauren, I probably would, but I tend to like to stick to the mixes I am familiar with. Pumice is a very new addition to my potting arsenal!

I find that I don't even notice the difference when I don't use Turface.

What are your growing conditions like? Where are you located? And what do you grow?

I live in the desert of Arizona. I have lots of light but pretty dry air; and I grow in the home mostly. I grow everything, from succulents to tropicals. I use gritty mix for a few of succulents, straight pumice for a few, and 511 mix for some. I used Turface in my mix early on but have since started leaving it out because it really didn't make a significant difference other than retaining water a bit longer. And though it did retain water, it didn't have a positive effect overall on the plants.

I don't use pumice a perlite together, but I have a c and s mix that has both, so....

Turface is actually good to use in mix without soil or bark: any water needed will be held by it. I use some of it, less than 1/3rd - usually up to 20% . Depends on plants. I use it with grit and perlite (and would also use it with grit & pumice).

Lauren - There was someone else asking about gritty mix in Arizona in the container forum link here. Not sure if you are able to lend any insight there. =)

Beth - I don't believe you still because I haven't see any photos! Haha. This is actually the main reason I keep my grit and turface in the garage.

Make sure to check you have enough pots too... I've run out.

Ha, I'll try and get a photo tomorrow. Wish we had a garage! And I am out of nice square pots too...will have to order some more. The repotting I was planning was for spare plants, they go into the multitude of small round pots I now have. Easy way to keep them sorted, anyway!

Eww: thanks for the link! I might not be able to offer anything, but it is good reading:)

Kevin - I feel extra bad now. Had I sent you the pot you won maybe you wouldn't be short.....I'll get it posted this year, I promise.

Jeff - Will be saving a spot for the pot on my roof - don't you worry. If you need my address again, just let me know. =)

Beth - The square pots were the ones that were mailed to you right? Aren't they fantastic?

Kevin

yes the pots are great! I think they sent me the wrong size for the 3 inch ones though, but they will do for now. I don't have room for bigger pots anyway! (But will probably order some 4 inch ones in spring...)