I think it needs a lot of grit Kath if you are going to use it for your auriculas.

No ariculas will be staying in pots Cinderella.

Oh ok Kath. Have you seen my blog of my visit to Pops Plants yesterday

No will go now:)

Scotkat what plants are you planning on growing in your new raised alpine bed? Unless we know can't answer question properly.

MG a selection of Aribis, Dianthus,Alpine crocus, Alpine Daphne and alpine Clematis ,campanula,oxsalis,

But for now will be working at getting soils and grit just perfect for planting .

But looks as if rain stop play today MG it tipping down .

A mix of one third soil, one third humus, one third grit. Humus can be leaf mould or commercial compost.

Thankyou MG still raining so will head off to our garden centre for grit.

Got plenty leaf mould.

Great! Remember to post photos of the finished result.

Thats the grit in now MG next stage should I use John Innes compost on top and dig it in with the grit and then start to plant plants.

Then I would like to top dress with nicer horticulural grit.

And maybe have a small feature but not sure what yet.

You need to mix the grit, leaf mould and soil together. If you are using leaf mound you don't need compost, remember that - generally - in the wild these plants grow in fairly lean soils, hence the need for lots of grit so it is free draining. Top dressing always looks good and helps to deter cats as well.

So pleased MG how it has turned out .

Looking forward to seeing the photos - are you going to the Aberdeen Spring Flower Show in 19 May?

I would love to go MG. Where is to be held?

See pm

Thanks MG I was going to ask you for this recipe but knew you are busy with shows, so darent ! I wanted Granite Grit, local GC cant obtain, so am going to try the local Stonemasons where they make Granite tombstones - maybe they will give me the sweepings for nothing. Ha ha.

GC also cant get Bark Powder, yet a forester has told me when trees are cut down the bark is all scraped off and fortunes are being made, selling the powder.

GS's are hopeless in general is my view! We go to a really good nursery called Greens near Nairn and can get all sorts of different grits and slate chippings which are great for top dressing the show pots.