People will tell you its lacking in this and lacking in that
Exactly. The only 'deficiency' here is proper care. One of the biggest problems people struggle with, imo, is the method they go about watering and flushing. For example, when you water, you should give it a thorough soaking, enough to where its draining out the bottom. However, if your container is bone dry and you water it, you'll have water running out the bottom instantly, so my advice is contingent on the fact that you've not let the soil completely dry out between waterings.
Also when it comes to flushing. A proper flush uses ph balanced LUKE WARM water. You must add the water until you get free flowing drainage...then you must wait about a half hour, and repeat the process. That's the critical part is waiting and returning..the first flush loosens the materials, the second flush actually rids the materials from the medium.
I struggled for years with the advice others gave me here on roi and other sites..people tell you what to do, but don't offer the esoteric details needed to do 'it' successfully.