[dmforcier]

Therein lies the rub. The stuff that will compact hard when dry will retain way too much moisture when watered heavily.

In a standard container the only real solution as far as I know is to transplant into a good medium. If the plant is large, though, it will have to be cut back to make this possible, as the root system will be handicapped for a while.

Now, aren't EBs self-watering? The top may be hard and dry, but what's going on below the soil line? Got a moisture meter?