Potting Mix

[Me Tarzan]

I usually use the Osmocote P.P for newly rooted cuttings straight out of the propagater till 12months of age then ill up pot to something different. Today I noticed Mitre10 in S.A had bags of the Searles Premium for $10. on discount so grabbed a bag , really surprised how light and airy it is with great drainage, has anyone used this for young figs ? Thoughts?

[Rob]

I have not tried any of the commercially bagged potting mixes, since I bought a bag from Bunnings here. it was just full of fungus gnats, and it was a nightmare. It was a great help though in one way, as I looked for an alternative source, and of all things it was much closer to me, and cheaper also. There is a massive composting place only minutes from me, and they sell it for $2 for a 20L bucket, but you do need to bring buckets etc, and load it yourself, or of course if you have a trailer, they will load that free.
Having said that, what you have there looks fine, but I would just look into it carefully before use, it's always better to be sure it's clean of gnats etc.

[ch100]

I had good experience with the Scott's Osmocote Citrus and Fruit Premium Mix recently. I am aware that all Osmocote mixes gained a bad reputation during the Covid years, but now there is a good chance that they sorted out their quality issues. Only time will tell, but at least for now I had 100% success in rooting cuttings in that media during the late summer/early autumn months in SA.