In our business, we have occasion to purchase quite a bit of varying plant material, the majority very young, and I've noticed that several growers are using better mixtures for their rooting or potting.

I've come across varying sizes of fir bark, lots of perlite, some lava and other stone bits... and from one grower, what looks like crushed brick particles in the medium. I'm getting a little more impressed by the various mediums as time goes by.

I've been a strong supporter of Al and his very logical, scientific methods for quite a while, now... and I use the Gritty Mix, or varying renditions of it, almost exclusively for my indoor growing.

I find the better drainage and aeration to be very beneficial for my containerized plants... and for getting quick results in rooting cuttings, as well.

Al knows how indebted to him I am... he's really opened my eyes to how uncomplicated it really is to grow wonderfully healthy plants... from the roots up!

I think a lot of times, we tend to be a bit intimidated by some of the more technical writings in this area, and there's still so much misinformation and myth floating around... one doesn't think in terms of the gardening industry being only for profit, but it differs little from any other. Repeat sales at any cost.

Anyway... just a shout out, I guess, along with yours... to Al, and to everyone who has made a difference, or is making a difference, in the wonderful world of growing! :-)

I'm in Maryland as well and this "Spring" has been so strange. We had weeks of rain and now we're in the hottest weather spell we've had in years. I've had to water my recently repotted citrus practically every day. They're in gritty as well but I've been trying to at the very least get the leaves wet and get a little water in the planting medium every morning.

Well said, Jodi!

Btimber, the Gritty Mix does require more watering at first, as you've noticed.
As the roots colonize the entire mix, the moisture levels will begin to stabilize.

Josh