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Hi Joanie, many thanx for your valued comment! As requested:

Our Climate:
Moderate rainfall early and late summer. Otherwise rather dry to very dry during winter months. Summer Temperatures range between 18 to 33 degrees C and winter between -3 to 24 degrees C. Dry hot winds prevail during early spring (August). Our seasons may be the reverse of yours. It is now the omset of Autumn in South Africa.

My bonsai soil mix:
A reasonably well drained mix. Generally 1 part loam soil, 2 parts granite sand, 2 parts general potting soil, and a 1/2 part compost.

Feeding programme:
Every 2nd week. Aternating with a liquid fertiliser (SeaGro) and then a soulble general potplant fertiliser (Pokon) at the next feeding session. When available, I soak a few dried out cow-dung turds in a 20 litre drum and water my trees with the "dung-tea" as a special treat.

I have been "dunking" my trees for nearly 3 months and they all appear to be healthy and I haven't yet noticed any salt build-up yet.

You mention that oxygen is "drawn" in by means of top watering - wouldn't the same principle apply as the water drains away by dunking? Please help, I'm dumbfounded!

ForSure!

5-Mar-2006	#3
ForSure bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Feb-2006 Location: Parys, Free State Country: South Africa Posts: 13	Watering by "Dunking" - Our climate and soil type Hi Joanie, many thanx for your valued comment! As requested: Our Climate: Moderate rainfall early and late summer. Otherwise rather dry to very dry during winter months. Summer Temperatures range between 18 to 33 degrees C and winter between -3 to 24 degrees C. Dry hot winds prevail during early spring (August). Our seasons may be the reverse of yours. It is now the omset of Autumn in South Africa. My bonsai soil mix: A reasonably well drained mix. Generally 1 part loam soil, 2 parts granite sand, 2 parts general potting soil, and a 1/2 part compost. Feeding programme: Every 2nd week. Aternating with a liquid fertiliser (SeaGro) and then a soulble general potplant fertiliser (Pokon) at the next feeding session. When available, I soak a few dried out cow-dung turds in a 20 litre drum and water my trees with the "dung-tea" as a special treat. I have been "dunking" my trees for nearly 3 months and they all appear to be healthy and I haven't yet noticed any salt build-up yet. You mention that oxygen is "drawn" in by means of top watering - wouldn't the same principle apply as the water drains away by dunking? Please help, I'm dumbfounded! ForSure!