Happy frog coco perlite

I have been having problems with planting in just happy frog alone because the soil seems to clump up and make it difficult to absorb water. Somebody recommended to me adding in some coco and perlite next time. I Was wondering if anyone has had experience with this and if you could recommend a ratio? Happy growing!

Have photos? Coir is usually a good addition to bagged mixes that don't have any, you can mix in 25% or so. I'd do without the perlite, that's not going to help soil retain moisture anyways, although vermiculite would.

I'm curious what you mean by it "clumps up" though. As in it gets hard, pulls away from the sides of the container a bit? If so this is probably more from improper or uneven watering. Materials in potting mix like sphagnum peat moss actually become hydrophobic when they dry out; meaning it starts to repel water. When you go to water it will initially bead up on the soil surface, or run down the sides of the container.

There are a couple ways to counteract this. One is to try not to let your potting soil get that dry in the 1st place. Don't let your containers dry out completely, there should always be some moisture in soil. If it does get too dry you have to start by watering slowly. Give a smaller volume of water initially, wait about 20 minutes and then go back to water thoroughly.

Then there are wetting agents such as yucca extract which will allow media to hydrate more easily and retain moisture.

Using a mulch layer also helps prevent the soil surface from drying out as fast.

Ya the soil really seems to just clump really close together and make it difficult to absorb water. I have tried watering more and watering less but have always had this problem when using happy frog. I usually try to feed every 3 days consistently and I have the ladies in 7 gallon containers. I recently started using nectar for the gods when feeding. I also apply og biowar compost tea once a week mixed in when o feed.