So spring is coming.  Soon I'll be up potting many started cuttings, and repotting other older plants.  I've read Tapla's comments on the best container mix over on the other forum.  A lot of what he says seems to makes sense.  Plus I was able to pick up some partially composted pine bark fines for $2.50/cf, which is cheaper than most container mixes.  He suggests screening out the small stuff, adding peat moss, perlite, etc.  I'm not inclined to screen out the small particles just to add back more expensive peat moss.  So I'll probably just use it as is, with the possible addition of a bit of perlite, lime, and controlled release fertilizer.

So here are my questions:

1.  Has anyone had success/failure with a mix composed mostly of pine bark, specifically with figs? 
2.  My main concerns are pH and available nutrients.  I'm thinking this mix may be too acidic, so I might add some lime.  Will test a sample to see how much correction is needed.  I've read that a pH of around 6.5 is ideal for figs.  Is this correct?  I was also thinking of adding some micronutrient powder to make sure there aren't any soil deficiencies, and possibly some controlled release fertilizer.  But not sure about the CRF, since it doesn't last all that long.
3.  Should I add some perlite?  I have a bag that I've been using along with container mix for cuttings, but it's fairly expensive and if it's not going to add anything useful, no reason to spend the money. 

Any comments/suggestions welcome. 

Rob

Rob, I used that mix about 2 years ago. It works very well. Moreover figs will grow in just about anything! There is one major problem with that mx.....it is fast draining! I had a hard time keeping the mix moist and had to water my container trees twice a day! That year temps in my area were over 90 degrees in Spring, Summer and Fall. I ended up switching all my figs back to my own favorite mix. I recommend trying the mix on one or two figs and how they perform. Good luck!

I forgot!  The pine bark won't be a problem  and perlite can be used too.  pH of 6, 6.5 and 7 are all good for figs.

That is a good point Dennis, thanks for pointing that out.  Perhaps that is the rationale behind using the vermiculite or perlite.  Vermiculite in particular holds water very well, so maybe if I put a bit of super coarse V or P mixed in it would allow once per day watering. 

Also, if I have to water twice a day it might not be all bad.  Would give me an excuse to tell the wife that would allow me to spend more time in the garden :)  Yes, I know I have a problem.  But from some of the other posts I've read, I'm not alone.

hey rob

If you are talking about Taplas gritty mix, there is no peat moss involved.  Absolutely add perlite.  Get yourself an inexpensive ph meter.  I always add lots of pulverized limestone to the mix.  This way you can control the ph.  Dennis is right, you have to water more with this mix than most other mixes but I have never had to water twice in one day.  It has worked great for me.

I've been using mostly pine bark for a while, and as Dennis, Ed and others mentioned about fast drainage is correct. However it encourages good root system and fast growth. 

Are you guys amending with lime when using lots of pine bark fines?

Vermiculite and Perlite are NOT the same beast.  While V does retain more water, it is not as stable as P.  Under the best of circumstances it collapses quickly under it's own weight.  With the additional weight, it has a useful life of less than a growing season. 

I never amended my mix with limestone.  I was (still am) of the opinion that pH of the water is a bigger factor.