sand for increasing drainage

denny

ive read to use builders sand to increase drainage for clay soil.
im collecting from the ground into large pots and i have a ready supply of padio paver sand.would it work be as safe,and work as well as builders sand?
or is it the same thing?
by the way,why not take them from the ground directly into a bonsai pot?

__________________
Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.

Advertisement

Soildoc

I think it's the same stuff. I would rinse it pretty well though. I don't think builders stand is held to the same quality as something like sandbox sand so it might hold some contaminates that aren't very good for trees.

Bonsainut

Denny,
I use presifted silica sand. the #12 size. If you use regular sand sift it to remove the fines.

__________________
Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce

hack

Hey [i:c1c57e1308]denny[/i:c1c57e1308],
I believe there are a few reasons to go from ground to the larger, training pot prior to the final tray.
Generally, trees are placed in the bonsai pot [i:c1c57e1308]after[/i:c1c57e1308] the training and development has, for the most part, been completed. Unless the ground trees are finished bonsai, some part of the plant (roots/trunk(s)/branches) will need more training/growth/development, this is much better accomplished in a container where the plant has some room to do it's thang. Once your down to the bonsai container you'll be working on refining on your tree.

Root system: Plants in the ground are usually not equipped w/ a well balanced root system full of the fine feeder roots necessary for a plant to live as a bonsai. Root ball will need to be gradually trimmed down to size & properly developed. Also, larger pot & larger kept/undamaged rootball can help the harvested tree survive it's transplant. First goal with the wild specimens, get them in a container, then you can reduce container size.

Thars 2cents from [i:c1c57e1308]hack[/i:c1c57e1308], another newbie.
[img:c1c57e1308]http://www.theunholytrinity.org/cracks_smileys/contrib/ruinkai/shinner.gif[/img:c1c57e1308]

Soildoc

I agree with hack on the root system. I'll do anything I can to get finer roots before I go to the bonsai pot. I'll do some minor root trimming a number of times before I pot the tree in a bonsai pot

denny

thanks guys(no gender implication),
very helpful,perhaps not what an instant gradification addict wants to hear,harhar..kidding,im learning patince as we speak.something im fast learning is one of the most important lessons we can have.

__________________
Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.