At 07:48 AM 8/4/04 +0000, Les wrote:
>And while i am in reply mode...
>
>Brent at Evergreen Gardenworks wrote:
> > The major cause of soil collapse is
> >loss of particle size due to _composting_ of the organic portion. By
> >using composted bark, you are using a material that already has one
> >foot in the grave.
>
>But, Brent, is there not some nutritional value to be gained through the
>composting process? I know that when my wife composts kitchen waste,
>etc. for her garden, she does it in order to add more than just (for
>lack of a better word) fibre to the soil. It works like a slow release
>organic fertilizer for her.
Les
Yes, you are correct, composting does add nutritional value, but it's
irrelevant. That's why fertilizer was invented. The much greater role of
fir bark in soilless mixes is as a substrate (physical support of roots)
and as a nurtrient _retaining_ amendment (high CEC or cation exchange
capacity). The amount of nutrient you would gain by composting would be on
the order of about 1 cent per plant, while the premature aging of the soil
would cost you the entire volume of soil, plus the increased risk of root
damage to your plant. Compost is great for the garden, compost tea is an
excellent (if somewhat risky) organic fertilizer, compost in container soil
mixes can be used but must be managed very carefully, and in my opinion is
better left out.
Brent in Northern California
Evergreen Gardenworks USDA Zone 8 Sunset Zone 14
mailto:bonsai@pacific.net
http://www.EvergreenGardenworks.com
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