From what I understand, as long as your turface particle size is 1/8" or larger, you will completely avoid perched water in your container, so there should be no problem with aeration even if you're growing in 100 Turface. I've seen pics of one of Al's trees grown this way. I'm going to try to stick to that size as a minimum as I mix my first batch (this weekend!), which will probably mean throwing out a lot of 1/16" material, but I think some people do use the smaller turface (maybe with a pot wick or something to aid in drainage?).

ewwmayo, I am interested in what is your procedure for seedlings? These are succulents?

I grow primarily succulents, but most seedlings are fairly similar. Need water, warmth, light. Not too humid or wet because fungus can be a problem. I find they need smaller mix particles so watering is easier to balance otherwise they desiccate and dry too quickly/die.

Turface size varies by batch and even by bag. Generally, just under 2/5 of the bag passes through aluminum insect screen. I use what doesn't pass through the screen in my soils and the fines for other projects. Because Turface is somewhat smaller than ideal in size, I'd probably try to keep the bark fraction at no more than 1/3 of the o/a volume and not use more than 2 Turface: 1 grit. The same rule doesn't apply to the grit:Turface ratio. You can use as much grit as you want and as little Turface if your intent is to grow cacti or succulents that really do NOT like wet feet.

Al

ewwmayo, maybe you could take us through your seedling process start to finish? What I

What I do is put the seeds on dry soil and do not water them until they start to sprout. From the point that they sprout is where I want to know what you do. And knowing the details of the soil you use and how you use the turface fines would be nice.

For seeds, I prefer perlite and a thin layer of sand. Care really depends on the type of seeds you are growing!

Mine like a consistently moist but not wet environment.

ewwmayo, so you want for them to sprout and then you plant them into the perlite / sand? How long do you leave there before moving them to final soil mixture?

I sprinkle them on the sand and let them germinate there. When they don't fit together in the same small pot I move them to a more coarse mixture and then to final mixture eventually after that.

There are so many good ways to grow seedlings! Mine is this way because I had the ingredients around and it helped in my conditions. Lots more and probably better resources about growing seeds than me. =)