been afk moving and all that stuff...

i mix rich, highest quality potting soil i can find (currently using scott's) with cactus soil mix at 2 parts soil to one part cactus...but lean it heavier on the potting soil...iow, a bit more than 2:1. it's mostly by eye anyway with the goal of a fast draining soil. i then add perlite by eye too...probably 4 cups/bag of potting soil. it might look like a lot at first but when blended in it smooths out...you'll see. just go slow until you find the right look.

this will drain well but still hold enough water in a 5 gal pot to leave alone for several days if heavily watered before leaving and it's not too hot. also should be good for nutes for 3-4 weeks for starting seedlings and 2-3 weeks for established plants.

if you want to set up your wick system, now is the time (well, when filling the pots with soil is the time...). take a couple pieces of cotton rope (terry cloth strips work, anything cotton that's long) and run them through the drain holes of the pot to appx the top, inside of pot. make it long enough to reach from the bottom of the pot to whatever reservoix you're using. this will draw water from reservoix through your soil. keep the ropes positioned where they'll do the most good while filling with soil and you'll have a way to leave for longer periods...

good luck