Originally Posted by edwmax

I don't think you will like the vermiculite. It hold more water than the perlite and break down over time. Vermiculite is more like a sponge.


Why not use a low cost potting soil mixed 50%/50% with perlite?? This will give a well draining potting mix with some body to hold a little water while being airy. .... These low cost mixes are usually 25-30% pete; a fine ground bark; and some perlite.



I'm able to buy a nursery mix with a large percentage of course pine bark which works very well for bananas. One cu yd of the bark mix (about 30 bags of potting mix +/-) was only $35.