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G'day all...

Brent...thank you for your comments..."...You can have root rot without it 'stinking'…" I will modify my future comments to reflect that.

DWDude…your questions... My responces are primarily from my 10 years experience here in Southern Arizona.

"...so this automotive clay stuff is safe...?". I've been using it for over 10 years...it works for me.

"...There aren't any harmful chemcals in it (OilDri...)? As far as I know, it's "clean".

"...Does it need to be sifted...?". I DO NOT SIFT...however, if you're into sifting, sift away...it does contain fines.

"...So really not much organics at all huh...?". For me, your dose is waaay tooo much.

"...Have you ever had any problems with mineral salt build-up...?". I haven't...however, I prefer Pumice over lava.

"...Whats wrong with Superthrive...?". It's not so much a question of what's wrong as it is "...does it do any good?" I'm from the school that says it doesn't. On the other hand...some says it do, and some says it don't.

"...Do you have any sources for medium or small orchid mix (bark)...?". Any garden shop or flower shop that sells orchids for growing should have orchid mix...and if they don't have it, they can order it. Another source would be a local Orchid Club.

"...Do you think redwood bark would be better...?". Me thinks would not. The smallest size "redwood" bark I have seen is probably 5X the size...or more...of the LARGE size Orchid Mix.

"...What are your thoughts on using only OilDri for potting medium..."?. I wouldn't recommend it...but, I have never tried it. I have heard of people us Turface alone with good results.

Remember...all this is based on my experience...over 10 years in Arizona and twentysomthing in California.

Pat

__________________
BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

Pat Patterson...Bonsai in the Greater Bay Area, Northern California

21-Jul-2006	#10
PatArizona Bonsai Master, in my mind Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Back Home in Northern California Country: USA Posts: 2,248	G'day all... Brent...thank you for your comments..."...You can have root rot without it 'stinking'…" I will modify my future comments to reflect that. DWDude…your questions... My responces are primarily from my 10 years experience here in Southern Arizona. "...so this automotive clay stuff is safe...?". I've been using it for over 10 years...it works for me. "...There aren't any harmful chemcals in it (OilDri...)? As far as I know, it's "clean". "...Does it need to be sifted...?". I DO NOT SIFT...however, if you're into sifting, sift away...it does contain fines. "...So really not much organics at all huh...?". For me, your dose is waaay tooo much. "...Have you ever had any problems with mineral salt build-up...?". I haven't...however, I prefer Pumice over lava. "...Whats wrong with Superthrive...?". It's not so much a question of what's wrong as it is "...does it do any good?" I'm from the school that says it doesn't. On the other hand...some says it do, and some says it don't. "...Do you have any sources for medium or small orchid mix (bark)...?". Any garden shop or flower shop that sells orchids for growing should have orchid mix...and if they don't have it, they can order it. Another source would be a local Orchid Club. "...Do you think redwood bark would be better...?". Me thinks would not. The smallest size "redwood" bark I have seen is probably 5X the size...or more...of the LARGE size Orchid Mix. "...What are your thoughts on using only OilDri for potting medium..."?. I wouldn't recommend it...but, I have never tried it. I have heard of people us Turface alone with good results. Remember...all this is based on my experience...over 10 years in Arizona and twentysomthing in California. Pat __________________ BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain. THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life. Pat Patterson...Bonsai in the Greater Bay Area, Northern California