Soil Again

Johnsai

I've been growing some of my bonsai-to-be in a peat and lava rock mixture and I was wondering if this would be alright for my regular bonsai too or perhaps if I added some bark mulch? Any help is as always appreciated.

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RonMartin(deceased)

From all the tests that I have done with lava rock I would say no peat is necessary. Just a bit of pine or fir bark.
Of course things might be a bit different for you depending on the climate you live in. That is kind of important information. Sadly you have left that information up for grabs.

Johnsai

Sorry, it's a pretty temperate climate, Southeast United States, Summers average around 80-85 degrees and winters tend to be fairly mild with snow between December and March.

ALDEVAUX

Can anyone tell me if there is a difference between pine bark and pine bark mulch. If they are different, is the mulch also good to mix in the soil mixture ?

jeremy_norbury

And does anyone know where to buy the damn stuff in The Netherlands?

Jerry

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RonMartin(deceased)

Then in my opinion you don't need the peat.

Just a word of (maybe) wisdom here.
When I see a thread asking a question the first thing that I look at is the posters profile.
I am looking for not only the zone that they live in but the state as well. It does, believe it or not, make a difference in how I answer the question.
Most of the time when there is nothing in the profile I don't bother trying.
Sometimes I even look at the birthdays that are listed there. Not to be mean but, so that I can , hopefully, answer the question in a manner that can be understood but the person inquiring.
That profile is important. It will let me know a lot about the who and where the tree is growing. Without that information I can only guess at the answer.
It is your choice ;o)

RonMartin(deceased)

There is no difference between the two except for size. Pine bark is larger and since pine bark mulch comes from the bottom of the pile there is a size differential.
By shifting the mulch we can get a useable particle size. Pine bark on the other hand are larger particles and there is no good reason to sift it, Nothing would fall through the screen anyway.

RonMartin(deceased)

Here any nursery carries it. In the Netherlands who knows.
If you go to a local nursery ( not a chain store but a real nursery) and ask them what mulch they do carry I will do my best to let you know if that will work.
Not the best of answerer but at least some kind of answer.

ALDEVAUX

Thank you very much for your answer, Ron. In my area I can only find the mulch which seems to have the same consistency as peat moss. I will use it for my mixes after sifting as you explained.