bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Soil for zone 13 phoenix area ?

Hi Hodge,

There are many soil threads on the forum. Just about everyone uses a different mix, depending on their zone. Essentially you want a mix that drains well, and retains sufficient moisture for your local environment. Your zone is pretty extreme. I remember the heat of Phoenix well, way back when I visited in '86. My feet were burning through the soles of my sneakers lol, and I got nuked by the sun bad!!

Whatever soil components you use, I would recommend a ratio of at least 60% organics to 40% inorganics... perhaps even 70/30. The organics basically help retain the moisture, while the inorganics aid the drainage. Sifted compost, pine bark chips, turface, grit, perlite, haydite, decomposed granite, lava rock, akadama, kanuma...... are just some of the materials available. Probably best to keep it simple and pick one organic ingredient and one inorganic.

Have a read up on the various threads in the soils section of the forum for more in depth information. Perhaps someone in your zone will chime in with a soil that works well for them.

All the best,

Aaron

18-Jan-2006	#4
Aaron_K bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Mar-2004 Country: England USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 2-3 Posts: 1,477	Hi Hodge, There are many soil threads on the forum. Just about everyone uses a different mix, depending on their zone. Essentially you want a mix that drains well, and retains sufficient moisture for your local environment. Your zone is pretty extreme. I remember the heat of Phoenix well, way back when I visited in '86. My feet were burning through the soles of my sneakers lol, and I got nuked by the sun bad!! Whatever soil components you use, I would recommend a ratio of at least 60% organics to 40% inorganics... perhaps even 70/30. The organics basically help retain the moisture, while the inorganics aid the drainage. Sifted compost, pine bark chips, turface, grit, perlite, haydite, decomposed granite, lava rock, akadama, kanuma...... are just some of the materials available. Probably best to keep it simple and pick one organic ingredient and one inorganic. Have a read up on the various threads in the soils section of the forum for more in depth information. Perhaps someone in your zone will chime in with a soil that works well for them. All the best, Aaron __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores! "A fox may change its skin but never its character"