bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - 100% Lava Rock soil mix?

This is the type of question I've been asking for the past couple months. Using pure lava rock can and will work for you, IF you provide the tree with everything the lava rock isn't providing. For example the nutrients that Mortalis talked about. Also the major factor is that using a 100% inorganic mix will force you to keep a much closer eye on your watering needs. The tree will dry out much much faster with this sort of mix and if you don't stay on top of it you will end up with a dried out root system. I always add some pine mulch to the mix. It is water retentive and can provide organic matter while not interfering with drainage. Turface is also a wonderful additive.

11-Feb-2007	#5
malik Bonsai Master in Training Join Date: Jul-2006 Location: Nashville USDA Zone: 6b AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 513	This is the type of question I've been asking for the past couple months. Using pure lava rock can and will work for you, IF you provide the tree with everything the lava rock isn't providing. For example the nutrients that Mortalis talked about. Also the major factor is that using a 100% inorganic mix will force you to keep a much closer eye on your watering needs. The tree will dry out much much faster with this sort of mix and if you don't stay on top of it you will end up with a dried out root system. I always add some pine mulch to the mix. It is water retentive and can provide organic matter while not interfering with drainage. Turface is also a wonderful additive. __________________ "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it" -Winston Churchill