With so many potting mixed out there I figured we need to get all info pries and cons on what we have used.so to get the ball rolling I use jiffy seeding mix with extra perlite for rooting. When I can get this then I use mg potting mix with extra perlite. But here lately I have noticed gnats even while using gnatrol. IM looking for a new mi,.

Check out my latest post. I have been majorly impressed with rooting in coco coir!

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/propagation-setup-7159315?pid=1285365983#post1285365983

ascpete just had a really nice thread on soil mixes.

I heavily use pine bark fines and have no problems with gnats or nematodes. I am trying to solve some nematodes problems with plants purchased, but with root pruning and repotting I think I am getting to the success stage. Now I am different than most members when rooting cuttings. I root all cuttings outside in one gallon nursery pots, all year long and I think the pine bark fines has helped a lot. Now, I am very interested in trying coco coir, this will be the next venture on my list. I do not feel that you will get a 100% agreement on what mix is best, all I can say is what works best for me.

This year was pretty bad for my potted figs since I used some coco mixed in loam and the plants grew slowly unlike the ones in nursery Soil
Also noted that pots with heavy medium got much warmer.

Hoping for a good 2015.

Stay with inert media and you will never see a gnat: peat and perlite. Period.

Waynea,
Maybe try adding a heavy amount of Neptunes crushed crab shell to the pots that have nematodes. The claim that since crab shell is high in chitin, soil with a good amount of chitin containing material will become colonized with bacteria that break down chitin. Nematodes outer wall is composed of chitin, so the presence of these bacteria then result in a highly unfavorable environment for nematodes, supposedly.

I also use Jiffy seed mix as the peat source for my cup stage of starting cuttings. I like it, they must heat sterilize it at some point because I have never had problems with it being a sorce of gnats. I did however buy a small brick of coco coir yesterday, I am going to try it on a few cuttings.

Thanks Calvin, I'm going to give it a try. Sounds like it should work.

Using peat and perlite (2/1) for rooted cuttings now.  Working out better than most other mediums that I've used.

1, 2 and 3 gal using Fafard 52 with extra perlite.

Over 3 gal using 5-1-1.  Was going to switch to Gritty Mix for over 3 gal. but was advised that it would not be good for use with a drip irrigation system.

I have primarily used 50% Pro Mix HP 50% Aged Pine Bark Fines (soil conditioner). I think it's well worth the price and is easy to use. For me however, I need to up pot this year and will need several yards of potting mix. I'm actually hoping I can buy loose potting mix by the yard so I don't have to mix it myself. Fingers crossed it will be good. I have a good pick up truck and access to good compost, manure, mushroom soil, or whatever I want at wholesale prices. I also have half a pallet of pine bark fines. This will be an experimentation year for me.