bman,
Far be it from me to tell you what WON'T work - - all I can do is to tell you what WILL work. And what WILL work is a soiless mix of peat based Potting Mix, Microbark, and Perlite in the 3:2:1 Combo Mix.
Let us know how your Top Soil based Mix works for you. In Las Vegas where it is hot and dry, maybe what the women told you will do the job in your climate.
Raybo
