thanks for the info. i was pretty sure perlite is a necessity for drainage, esp since the soil says it has wetting agents and vermiculate (def gonna hold too much water). i don't think i found any garden stores that carried it before when i was going around. finding the powdered dolomite lime was a bitch in and of itself, luckily lowes had some. most places only carry the granular, if anything. i'll see what i can do, it's difficult finding supplies now with winter around the corner (not to mention is looks slightly suspicious)