Are these clay particles for soil mixtures??

syburn

I have been trying to find some clay grit or fired clay particles that should be mixed with the soil to give good drainage. As explained in my beginners book.

I am stationed in China so its harder because nobody seems to use these materials, they all use very dark soil.

Clay 1 - is what seems to be commonly put on the to of planters. Can I mix it with my bonsai soil?

Clay2 left side - small pink rocks with little holes in. Is this fired clay?

Clay 2 right side - round pink pellets. turns out this is food! is it suitable for bonsai.


I want to mix this clay with sand and organic matter?

Ohhh the trails of persuing new hobbies in a foreign land!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Attached Images

	clay1.jpg (49.1 KB, 43 views)
	clay2.jpg (47.2 KB, 46 views)

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Jerry Meislik

You can test the particles to see how hard they are. Put a few in a cup of water and after several days squeeze them. If they remain intact and do not collapse then you could try them in your soil mix.
As to the fertilizer??
Jerry

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

kingkong

Contact a Orchid grower in the area, they will know the sources of growing media and what it's made of.

Aaron_K

Hi Syburn,

The first picture does look kinda like hydroton although I guess any expanded clay pellet will look roughly the same. Perform the test that Jerry mentioned and if they don't collapse then they will be fine for using in your soil. I use hydroton at the base of some of my pots and containers, just to add that bit extra drainage. I used the hydroton on its own as a soil with a ligustrum and Japanese maple. They seem to love the stuff, throwing out new roots all over the place.

All the best,

Aaron

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