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Thanks for the info everyone. I can see we are familiar with rumors, wives tales, urban legends, etc, and that is why I asked in the first place....

Tobias - I had a conversation with a well known bonsai master a month ago about this exact thing - the definition of free draining soil. Up until two years ago I used a pre-made "bonsai soil" that had a high organic content and lots of fines. I used it for about 5-6 years and for the most part, I put water in and water came out. Is that not free draining? When I switched to my current mix of pumice, lava, Oil Dry and bark, I really understood what free draining meant - and my trees have grown better than they ever have.

Now, I do not want to start another soil thread. I don't want to challenge anyone's integrity. I do not want to say that one way is the only way. I just wanted to state that there are varrying degrees of "free draining" or "non clogging" or whatever you want to call it. I am sure your trees are growing fine and your soil is draining fine - my past experience would concur to some degree. However, as you say yourself you might try it and become a convert, I suggest you give it a go and you won't be disappointed!

Thanks again for all the responses Ron, Dale, Jerry and all the others...

27-Jan-2006	#26
rlist bonsaiTALK Adept Join Date: Dec-2005 Country: USA USDA Zone: Zone 8a AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 227	Thanks for the info everyone. I can see we are familiar with rumors, wives tales, urban legends, etc, and that is why I asked in the first place.... Tobias - I had a conversation with a well known bonsai master a month ago about this exact thing - the definition of free draining soil. Up until two years ago I used a pre-made "bonsai soil" that had a high organic content and lots of fines. I used it for about 5-6 years and for the most part, I put water in and water came out. Is that not free draining? When I switched to my current mix of pumice, lava, Oil Dry and bark, I really understood what free draining meant - and my trees have grown better than they ever have. Now, I do not want to start another soil thread. I don't want to challenge anyone's integrity. I do not want to say that one way is the only way. I just wanted to state that there are varrying degrees of "free draining" or "non clogging" or whatever you want to call it. I am sure your trees are growing fine and your soil is draining fine - my past experience would concur to some degree. However, as you say yourself you might try it and become a convert, I suggest you give it a go and you won't be disappointed! Thanks again for all the responses Ron, Dale, Jerry and all the others... __________________ NW Oregon, Zone 8a Check out my new blog here... Both gold and muck come out of the same shaft...