Jared, I just use a "Bedding Mix" we buy it in huge bags, as I use it for the basis for my soil mix when the bulbs get planted in pots. I add a liberal amount of perlite, not half and half (I'm afraid I don't measure) I guess I'd say 1/3 perlite to 2/3 bedding mix. No chunks of pine bark! I leave them in this mixture for the better part of a year or until they are quite large..large enough to be re-potted. Sorry I can't be more specific, I'm not a measurer and I don't adhere to any strict rules for any of this stuff..I'm sure others will have their own thoughts...EVERY time I water, I use a VERY diluted Miricle Grow mix..others use different products, but I find this does work for me. Do not let the seedlings dry out when they are smaller than 2 or 3 inches..as they get bigger, they can stand to be dryer for a day but no longer..never sopping wet either...Once again. this is just what I do, not the standard by any means...

Donna

I use a combination of very small fir bark pieces, perlite, turface, granite chips... and to all that, just to help maintain a bit more moisture, I add a few handfuls of top quality potting soil from a bag.

But I never use MiracleGro potting soil because of the inconsistency from bag to bag. In my opinion, the quality has slipped drastically over the years.

I would look for a Fafard product... Sunshine isn't too bad, either.

I try to stay away from really peaty mixes because once fine peat dries out, it's difficult to evenly rehydrate, in my opinion. I specifically stay away from retail sold seed starter mixes, and all the other usual products bagged for sale everywhere.

Quite honestly, I would also ask this same question over at the Container Gardening Forum, and see what they have to add... there are some incredibly experienced, professional container growers there...

Not to take away from the great growers here, but a second opinion from a different source never hurts, and can sometimes help add to your overall knowledge and information choices.