I use 2 basic mixes I make myself. Others have named these mixes "the gritty mix" and the 5:1:1 mix. Both mixes are very fast draining, and highly aerated to the degree it's very difficult to over-water. Because both mixes allow the grower to water copiously and frequently without concern re over-watering, it's very easy to maintain plants in a high state of vitality, barring issues with unrelated cultural influences.
Gritty mix:
5:1:1 mix
The 5:1:1 mix is easiest to make and least expensive, much less expensive than most commercially prepared media.
Basic mix:
5 parts pine bark fines, dust - 3/8 (size is important)
1 part sphagnum peat (not reed or sedge peat, please)
1-2 parts perlite
garden lime
controlled release fertilizer (if preferred)
Big batch:
2-3 cu ft pine bark fines
5 gallons peat
5 gallons perlite
2 cups dolomitic (garden) lime
Small batch:
3 gallons pine bark
1/2 gallon peat
1/2 gallon perlite
4 tbsp dolomitic lime
The 5:1:1 mix doesn't necessarily make it easier to gauge when it's time to water, but it does make over-watering very unlikely. This is because it holds very little water in the spaces between the soil particles. A well-made 5:1:1 mix will hold less than 1" of perched water (water held between soil particles against the force of gravity. For that reason, it gives you a significant amount of leeway when it comes to determining watering intervals, so much so that I never have check soil moisture levels and I water on a schedule, something that just won't work well when using more water-retentive media. I simply need to be reasonable and make sure I don't allow plantings to dry down too much. Over-watering is not even on the radar, even when plants are outdoors and not under cover during hard rains or extended periods of rain.
FWIW - an understanding of what drives water retention in container media is worth much more than the recipe. I've sent you a message with a link to something I wrote that explains why water can defy gravity and remain in container media, limiting root function/ health, which affects plant health and undermines a plant's ability to realize as much of it's genetic potential as possible. Many plants can appear to be healthy, even while realizing a surprisingly small amount of their genetic potential.
Al
