That is a planting mix, not a potting soil, and is intended for inground use rather than containers.

It would not be my first choice :-))

I do not understand. What is wrong with the OP's mix? Can you tell me what's bad about it?

Thank you for your comment. I quess as they say buyer beware, be informed, etc. I was specific about my intended use and was assured that it could be used in pots for my purpose of lemon trees. Somewhat unsettling to hear. So I quess I'm back to square one. So this is not even a good short term remedy then.

Thank you for the link. I don't know a lot about potting mixes. I thought the sulphur was your objection. I read somewhere that tree and shrub mix was good for container use. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the source. Coir is good as is peat, but not together because both retain water? Instead of tossing out the mix, what can be added to make it usable?

I have been using Miracle Grow potting mix since I owned my first home at age 20, and to be honest with you, I cannot see much difference in the picture shown and the commercial mix.

You can certainly amend it to make it more suitable, rather than tossing out altogether. Just add a substantial quantity of bark fines and you should be good to go!! I'd go for at least 3 parts bark fines to 1 part of the planting mix and more if possible.

btw, sulfur is a basic plant nutrient although not required in quantity. It will be a component of any full range liquid fertilizer you use and will help to slightly acidify the mix, which citrus appreciate.

Thank you, that was my next question. So I am on the hunt for bark fines again. Thanks for you help and the information on container soils.

So the secret to any mix is having larger particles to allow more air or to avoid compacting of the mix?

Both :-)) Those two factors work together.

I bought a bag of un-colored pine bark mulch and removed the large pieces by hand. It is working fine for my seed grown meow kumquat trees

Steve

Thanks Steve I will try that

my local sources sell 'soil conditioner' which is pine bark fines. It is used to amend clay soil.

Using screen material is a faster way to get your desired particle size.

Many here use Repti-bark which you can get at the chain pet stores or order online from Amazon or from those pets stores websites. You are looking for bark fines which are 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Often bark mulches sold at the box stores have too large of particles.

Cory

My bark had chunks up to 3/4 inch. I broke those up to smaller pieces

Sorry for not responding, been away so repotting was put on hold. I have looked for the soil conditioner with no success so now I'm going to weigh picking and screening vs Repti-bark. I have seen some pine bark mulch and the size most of the particles do seem to be quite large. There is a pet store near the big box so I will check on the Repti-bark as well. Thanks so much for every ones help and info.

Garden gal, I have to say you are quite a huge help on this forum and everything you say and encourage others to do is as if you speak my mind. You and I are on the very same page and thank you for the work you put into here and in helping others grow their trees to their FULL potential...That container forums is where I first started here years ago, way before I could grow any tree successfully, way before I joined this Citrus Forum, and what a great asset is is to be there and here..

MIke, I would have messaged you privately to thank you for your very nice comments had you that feature activated :-) And while I had been gardening both personally and professionally long before joining GW in the pre-millenium Spike days, I learned much of my container gardening skills at Al's knee :-)) He has forgotten (not really!!) more about container gardening than most of us put together know! He is a wonderful resource and I consider him a true gardening friend.....we've been email buddies going on several decades now.

Another source for pbf might be a bulk landscape material store.

Thanks hibiscus, I have found two stores with the bagged mulch. One brand is Timberline the other is Jemasco, I purchased on of each so between the two I should have a starting point and I will continue to look for the pbf. I will look for a bulk source as well.

Gardengal, that's exactly where I started on these forums and I too have to give credit to Al for all most of my success, and of course to myself for listening!!!

Thank again for sharing with us a you do))