MaineRose,

I have found that Premier Pro Mix BX is even more to my liking than the Miracle-Gro product. I purchase mine at a local garden store (Longfellow's Greenhouse), but I have also purchased it at our local AgWay. It costs a little more, but I think it is worth it. For seed starting, I add a little extra Perlite to it.

MM

Thanks, Maineman. Lost a pot of nasturtiums yesterday. Am going to take a vacation day tomorrow and try to save a couple of Calibrachoa. My fault in trying to use the stuff, but I honestly did not realize how toxic it was. I was at Longfellows last Saturday buying plants---can't really afford to return for a couple of weeks with the price of gas, so this has been a pretty costly lesson.

***SNIP***When I opened the bag, the top part of the soil was covered with white cobwebby-like stuff and smelled foul!! In spite of that, I was stupid enough to go ahead and use it in several containers.***SNIP***

Me too!!! (Although it was the yellow perfect gardiner bag) I used it anyway...cause I'm stupid, and the plants are stunted and not growing.

Is it safe to dump it in the yard somewhere?

I am fortunate enough to have a pretty large property. My husband dumped it all down at the far end by a brush pile. I lost about $40. worth of plants (sob) and well as a mossy basket liner that cost me $12. a few years ago. I will NEVER again buy cheap potting soil. I did notice that Wal-Mart has removed all of the bags from the interior of the store, but the smell persists in that area. I wish I were a lawyer---I hate frivolous lawsuits but my plants are darned important to me and The Evil Store might just find themselves in court. I'm sure I'd lose, but I would love to tweak their tail!! (BG)

I have a good friend that also bought that WallyWorld potting soil and it just like rotted her impatients too. She ended up buying all new plants and cleaned her planters(the hayrack style with those mat like liners). She rinsed the liners in a weak bleach solution and refilled with the Miracle Gro potting soil and put in her new plants. They are growing beautifully. She salvaged what she could of her sick plants, what hadn't turned to mush, rinsed the bad soil off the roots and potted them up in the good stuff and they seem to be doing fine now too! I told her that's why you never buy the cheap stuff! I've used Pro Mix for years now and it works great!

I agree with "chicken lady".........I don't use anything other that Premier Pro Mix and have great luck with it. I have also experimented with Miracle Gro Moisture Control and am having good luck with that as well.

Sounds like spider mites in the soil, you could try to use a systemic in the pots to save the plants. I have trouble with cheap house plants having critters in the soil so I am a firm believe in systemics. Sorry I did not stop by sooner.
diene