Martin,

Of course your main problem is that you are using "standard commercial
potting mix". You are right to worry about root rot when using a mix such
as the one you are using, it is much too fine and will retain too much
water, and as you noticed, if you let it dry out a bit, it then repels
water.

You should change over to a free draining mix at the earliest opportunity.
You can use your coarse river sand along with lava rock or turface or the
like, and if you want some organic matter in the mix, use screened bark
mulch. All the soil particles should be larger than 1/8" to provide good
drainage, and a mix such as that will not repel water when dry.

Regards,
Roger Snipes
Spokane, WA. Zone 5-ish

----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin"

Thanks guys for your replies, I've opted for the 'soak and wait 2 hrs
method' courtesy of an old tub in the backyard, seems to have done the
trick. I will also be revising my watering regime regarding my training
pots, I guess i was too worried about root rot and didnt water them
frequently enough...

The soil in my training pots seem to repel water instead of absorb it.
I'm
using commercial grade 'standard' potting mix with added coarse river
sand
(about 10-15%). Each time I water, the water either wells around the
top
without being absorbed by the soil, or it just seems to run down the
insides

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