I'm thinking maybe a 2:1 of composted wood:turface.

I'm thinking maybe a 2:1 of composted wood:turface.

That would work fine. We used to have a contributor (Justaguy) that grew in pine fines + Turface - no peat or perlite. I think he was using about a 5:1 ratio, but the ideal ratio is going to depend almost entirely on the size of the bark you're using.

Al

Josh too uses no peat at all in most of his 5.1.1 mixes. In fact, I think he hates peat, right Josh/ :-)

Mike

Count me in as a peat hater. Btw, my hydroton + bark fines is doing really well. I'm getting worried it might be too fast for the smaller containers I chose this time :D

Hey guys!

I've used straight bark and turface, and didn't care for the results so much.
I've used bark, turface, and perlite, and enjoyed the results much, much more.
I've used bark, red lava rock, and perlite, and I probably prefer that compliment
of ingredients for my growing conditions - slightly less moisture retention in the
Summer, but healthier for my plants during the Winter.

Peat has a place, certainly. I think it's a better choice than Coir in a mix, as well.
However, I avoid Peat in mixes that are meant to last longer than a single season.
For my peppers and my deck tomato, I do use a *peat-based* potting mix in lieu
of the peat fraction in the 5-1-1.

Josh

Great thanks everyone. We are going to give it a shot.

Greenman, that extra moisture retention sounds good to me. We are in SoCal.

Give it a try.
At first, I found that I underwatered the bark and turface; then, I found that the mix
was holding moisture for longer than I wanted. Also, I wasn't as consistent with fertilization
then, and so the plants would become chlorotic, then I would have to catch up. Thus my caveat.

If you are diligent with with watering and fertilization, give it a try.

Jos