Hoffman Lava Rock?

ObiBoobyWan

Just to be clear, I've tried virtually everywhere. Nurseries, HD, Lowe's, Walmart, pet shops, aquarium shops. I'll be pushing on to Target and Ace soon but I've looked online and have little confidence.

No pumice. haven't seen it anywhere. All lava rock is oversized. Believe me, I'll continue to look though.

Thanks for the opinion on perlite. I can find that everywhere for about 5$ in an 8qt bag. I've just felt very hesitant because I can tell it's so fine. (I hope it can be understood how a newbie would look at lava rock, then perlite and have trouble seeing a similarity in functionality) I'll consider using it even if I do acquire the lava rock I want and I'll have to consider it moreso if I can't.

Thanks for the bark tip and I will rule pea gravel out from here on. Assuming I have no other options I'll go with perlite I guess.

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Graydon

Rob,

Skip the breaking rocks and leave that for convicts in Alabama or wherever they still do that.

You need to contact Erik Wigert. His number is 239-896-5549. He's a little south of you but will ship. Web site is (www.wigerstbonsai.com). I know he sells the properly sized lava as well as a very nice mix similar to what you are trying to make. It's ready to go in 5 gallon buckets that are UPS shippable. It may be worth your time to drive down and see him too. Road trip?

As far as pond baskets and such - I recently purchased 2 cases (read: way too many) of a couple of versions of a 11" colander. Because you are local to me I would be willing to part with as many as you need for an amount in your price range. PM me by clicking on my avatar and let me know. I'm in Lakeland so I'm no mare than 1 hour from you or I can ship.

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ObiBoobyWan

Thanks so much Graydon. I'm about to walk out of the house right now but I'll be contacting you as soon as I can. What an enormous help!

Hmm, that link is not working

rockm

"Keep the bark percentage low, because it can take nitrogen away from the roots when it starts to decompose."

A myth. The decomposition of the bark isn't enough to starve roots of nitrogen, especially if you're using water-based fertlizers regularly. I think Brent pointed that out a while ago if memory serves. The problem is more to do with the structure of bark. It will break down within four or five years as it decomposes. If you use too much in your mix, the soil breaks down and loses drainage over time, where a completely "soil less" mix retains its structure far longer.

You have to be careful about chicken and poultry grit in coastal areas and states. In the south, oyster shells are ground up and used for grit. Oyster shells are inappropriate for bonsai soil as they are calcium, basically. They will make your soil too basic (as opposed to acidic). "Granni-grit" is ground up granite and is the brand name that's most common in feed stores.

For sand, I use swimming pool filter sand. It can be found at swimming pool supply stores--the stores around here stack 50 lbs bags of it outside in the parking lot. Mystic White is the brand available to me. It's alot coarser than play sand and is crushed quartz, extremely angular and it does not break down.

Avoid pea gravel of any size at all costs. It is NOT a good thing to have in bonsai soil. Since it is rounded, it compacts and as it is basically non-porous, it has no ability to "store" moisture or fertilizer--two critical things for soil components.

The option for organics can be solved using decomposed pine bark soil conditioner. "Nature's Pride Soil Conditioner" is what I buy at Home Depot. Soil conditioner is used to break up clay soils and make them more permeable. I would be surprised if it's not around in your area.

Additionally, if there are specialist orchid retailers in your area, might be worth a visit. There are more than one grade of orchid soil. The main soil is simply too much work to break down into smaller pieces.

Joanie

I misunderstood part of Brents explanation, then. Not surprising. So much to learn!

That's good to know. Thank you.

Joanie

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Joanie

Fixed the link. It's wigertsbonsai, with an "s" in the middle.

Joanie

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Graydon

Thank you Joanie - must have twitchy fingers today...

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Graydon

I just did a video shoot and had to purchase a pool filter system. I got the sand it required and noticed how nice it looked when we loaded it. I may give it a try now that I know others are using it - thanks.




Orchid sellers would be more common than clay soil conditioners here in Florida. I have searched for the product you mentioned as I saw it at Bonsai Monk one visit - have not been able to find it down here - perhaps as have no clay to speak of down here.

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rockm

"just did a video shoot and had to purchase a pool filter system. I got the sand it required and noticed how nice it looked when we loaded it. I may give it a try now that I know others are using it - thanks"

Thank Vance W. He gave me the tip a while ago. Took me a couple of years to actually go find some. It's pretty good stuff.


"I have searched for the product you mentioned as I saw it at Bonsai Monk one visit - have not been able to find it down here - perhaps as have no clay to speak of down here."

That's only a brand name. I'd bet if you ask a nursery for "clay soil conditioner" something interesting might turn up.