Mame bonsai soil

mordachai

Hi
I just wanted to know what you all use for your mame soil.
Specifically in the Shito mame, the really really tiny guys.
I have been using a normal bonsai mix( Pine bark, Lava rock, and Turface) screened to 1.5mm . I also add some coarse sand to help the little guys hold onto some moisture.

I've had no problems with the pots about 1"x2" or larger, but the smaller ones just dry out so darn fast.
Just wanted to know what everybody else is using in thier mame pots.


any thoughts?

|M|

the pic is just one of the little guys

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Alasdair

i have moss on the surface of mine to reduce the water lost by the sun drying them out. I also water them by submerging to just below the rim of the poy, leaving to absorb the water and then drip.

As for the soil, i use a rather high organic content, well decomposed and crumbled wixed with a coarse grit for drainage.

Bearing in mind, mine arent that small, about the size of the palm of your hand at the smallest.

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Larry

wow thats awesomely cool and cute, what is it!

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cbobgo

I actually use the stuff that I sift out of my regular bonsai mix. Mostly terragreen with some organic odds and ends.

- bob

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mordachai

Thanks guys for the suggs.

LArry, sorry for the ridiculously late reply, it's a ming aralia. Taken as a cutting and grown for about 3 months in a cutting tray. Then it was potted up!.

I haven't been on the board lately, but thanks for the suggestions about really fine mixes. Alasdair, I'm gonna add some true compost in a few and test it out!.

Thanks, Mordachai

Larry

Ming Aralia eh, cool!

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taipan(deceased)

Hi Mordachai, I use sieved volcanic rock and a little rainforest mulch...you can use any mulch.

Try finding a 1mm-5mm bonsai sieve and a bag of 5mm lava rock(bonsai soil) sieve away and you remove the dust which will clog the holes and your left with a course black sand add about 10% Rich organic mix to it and fertilize with a fish fertilizer every 2-3 weeks @ SEEDLING RATIO!
Follow directions on pack.

You can improvise with sieves found at grocery stores if you cant find bonsai soil sieves.



Happy mame growing
Tai

albek

The soil I use for my Shohin and Mame are a little bit different, but it also depends on the specie. The climate the trees growths in is also very important to take in mind. In Denmark and Northern Europe en general, there is low humidity air.

In general I am always using small lava pieces or Leca pearls, for drainage layer in the bottom of the pot.

For the smallest shohins (Mame) the general soil-mix is made of:
80% sphagnum moss or peat
20% of fine-grained lava stones, or small Leca pearls.

For Pines and Junipers:
80% sphagnum moss or peat
10% lava
10% Pine bark

For the normal shohins
The general soil-mix is made of:
70% sphagnum moss or peat
30% of fine-grained lava stones, or small Leca pearls.

For Pines and Junipers:
60% sphagnum moss or peat
20% lava
20% Pine bark
Leca are a hard burned pill of clay, which are totally steady in structure, and retains a good part of air.
Lava stones in smaller pieces for Aquariums can be used instead of Leca, or blended together with Leca.

Kind regards
Morten Albek

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Larry

Well, my other half threw out a metal flour sive recently and i put it to good use when potting a plant up, it works really well and you end up with a lot of left over dusty stuff thats incrediby fine! (I'm sure theres a use for that stuff!)

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