bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Soil mix from Bonsai with Japanese Maples

Ewwww. Great book but not so good soil mix I think. Reminds me of a book published in early 70's on bonsai with same type soil mixes and ingredients.

Fred at Dallas Bonsai is now stocking a great mix he gets from Japan, it's on the akadama page and is called "bonsai soil mix from Japan". I got some to check it out as I am interested in the various sands he has and I saw it has three of them. Cool sand by the way. Anyhow it's a bit expensive but it appears to be almost free of fines and it's sifted and graded very well. Right out of the bag it's uniform in size so no sifting or screening is needed. If you choose to try it call or email first because they were down to only the smallest grade when I got some. He hopes to stock it in three sizes in the future.

I have a trident growing out in a mix very similar to the one that DB sells. It's doing great despite the lack of organics. My thought was I wanted to pot it up and let it grow for a few years without worrying about soil collapse and without organics to break down faster than the other stuff I think it will be fine. Aeration is great too.

22-May-2007	#5
Graydon bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Apr-2006 Location: Lakeland - Florida Country: United States USDA Zone: 9A AHS Heat Zone: 11 Posts: 1,004	Ewwww. Great book but not so good soil mix I think. Reminds me of a book published in early 70's on bonsai with same type soil mixes and ingredients. Fred at Dallas Bonsai is now stocking a great mix he gets from Japan, it's on the akadama page and is called "bonsai soil mix from Japan". I got some to check it out as I am interested in the various sands he has and I saw it has three of them. Cool sand by the way. Anyhow it's a bit expensive but it appears to be almost free of fines and it's sifted and graded very well. Right out of the bag it's uniform in size so no sifting or screening is needed. If you choose to try it call or email first because they were down to only the smallest grade when I got some. He hopes to stock it in three sizes in the future. I have a trident growing out in a mix very similar to the one that DB sells. It's doing great despite the lack of organics. My thought was I wanted to pot it up and let it grow for a few years without worrying about soil collapse and without organics to break down faster than the other stuff I think it will be fine. Aeration is great too. __________________ There is unrest in the Forest There is trouble with the trees For the maples want more sunlight And the oaks ignore their pleas.