Rinsing Soil Particles

Tobias

So,

I heard somewhere, at some point, that certain soil particles (sand, maybe turface, lava rock, etc.) should be rinsed off before being used so that any dust they have on them doesn't inhibit drainage in a pot. I know you guys religeously sieve out fines like I do. Do you guys rinse certain particles before mixing? Be honest.

Thanks,

Toby

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~Self-proclaimed dendrophile!

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Carl_Bergstrom

Hi Tobias,

If you're going to rinse (I don't because I don't need to given my suppliers), be sure you do it well in advance of sifting. E.g., rinse in early summer, let it dry completely, then sift the soil once it is completely dry. Even rinsing won't get all of the dust out, and sifting wet soil is obviously close to useless for removing the fines.

Similarly, only repot using bone-dry soil. Otherwise the soil clumps together and does not spill into the air pockets. I rinse for a few minutes after repotting, letting the water run through until it runs clear, stopping, starting again, letting it run through until it runs clear, etc., etc.

Best regards,
Carl

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In love with trees

jeremy_norbury

Yes, this is exactly what I do too.

In-the-pot rinsing, only really works for "soil-less" compositions. My mix is 1/3 Seramis (turface-like fired clay) , 1/3 3-6mm "Japanese sharp" granite grit and 1/3 medium akadama.

I dump the tree in a water tub for a few seconds, lift out of water, repeat 5 times...have to be carefull when using very light weight components like Seramis, because they tend to float to the surface when dry - so I tend to dress the top surface with the grit.

Jerry

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Tobias

Thanks guys,

Basically, what this sounds like to me is that you guys water your trees thoughrouly after repotting, as i think we all do. Carl seems to be saying he does so because his soil medium supplier washed the particles before shipping them, where Jeremy seems to be saying that he uses a coarse soil mix, and both situations allow for any remaining fines to be washed out during the initial watering. Does this sound about right?

So Carl, if your supplier did not wash the particles before shipping, would you thoughrouly wash before potting, or just rely on the initial watering to get the remaining fines out? Jeremy, would you wash the particles if you were using a smaller grained soil mix?

What I'm really trying to figure out is if people truly believe that washing particles is necessary? Will the trees suffer if the particles are only sieved and not washed? Can you guys possibly imagine an experienced bonsai man/woman who owns a nursery taking the time to wash their soil particles before mixing and potting? I can't, and I think I may have just answered my own questiong.

Discuss.

Thanks,

Toby

__________________
~Self-proclaimed dendrophile!

Bonsainut

Toby,

Sounds like you have all the answers you need. In the end all men must follow their own conscience as to "Wash or not Wash". Become one with the rinse, grasshopper.

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Keep growing,---'Nut



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