bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Will this soil mix work?are these roots ok?

Andy,

Where abouts in the UK are you? I live in the west Midlands and have my chinese elm potted in 50% organic, 25% perlite and 25% horticultural grit and this works fine for me. However, if you live in a wet part of Wales you'll need a very free draining soil to prevent your trees from drowning. When i started i lost many small trees to rootrot as i was in almost 100% organic with plenty of fine particles left behind and the water couldn't escape! As to fertilising your elm, in my experience the more you fertilise the more they grow. They can take off over night.

Al.

__________________
I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on...
Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth

28-Jul-2005	#6
Alasdair bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Aug-2004 Location: Aberystwyth Uni Country: Wales USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 0-1 Posts: 1,101	Andy, Where abouts in the UK are you? I live in the west Midlands and have my chinese elm potted in 50% organic, 25% perlite and 25% horticultural grit and this works fine for me. However, if you live in a wet part of Wales you'll need a very free draining soil to prevent your trees from drowning. When i started i lost many small trees to rootrot as i was in almost 100% organic with plenty of fine particles left behind and the water couldn't escape! As to fertilising your elm, in my experience the more you fertilise the more they grow. They can take off over night. Al. __________________ I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on... Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth