Litter or pet bedding...

WindTalker

I feel your right, even with my extreme inexperience. I am always interested in new techniques, however no need for chances when your prize sits in this medium 24/7 - 365 days a year for two years or more. Evergreen Garden also has some nice info for an overall perspective.

In bonsai, there is so little soil involved that cost is rarely a factor. Premium soil mix components are a small part of the bottom line. However, some components work so well that we use them anyhow, such as peat moss.................... There is always a tradeoff in soil mix components. I prefer porous volcanic materials such lava rock, pumice, and perlite (a sort of manmade volcanic rock) because they are light weight, hold water and air and are readily available. But they do break down, and after several years one finds evidence of this in the bottom of the pot. I also use DG, decomposed granite. You can screen it to get any particle size you want to get excellent drainage...........Brent Walston

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I can see quite clearly inside my paradigm, thankyou.

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PatArizona

I use Turface, Profile and OilDri interchangibly...always able to find one or the other. I prefer Turface or Profile over OilDri because of the color.

The mix that works for me is equal parts of (Turface or Profile or OilDri) and Pumice. I may replace the Pumice with valcanic rock when I get to California (better color)...

Pat

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BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.