Soil for zone 13 phoenix area ?

hodge

Ok so im a begginer and have lost a few plants. I am thinking that the soil im using may not be correct for my area and the exteme summer heat. Does anyone have any suggestions on good soil mixes. Maybe something that stayes cool ect.. ?

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badlad52

I'm not from AZ, but MT got real hot, so I used a water retaining mix, including some of the transplant flakes from Musser Forests. As long as the mix is moist, it will stay pretty cool. So if you are lacking the flakes, use lots of fir bark, and PAY ATTENTION when the weather cools, or becomes damp...

badlad52

But planting mixes vary (tree, climate, watering habits, etc.) so much, you shouldn't listen to me AT ALL untill you get some other people's opinions!

Aaron_K

Hi Hodge,

There are many soil threads on the forum. Just about everyone uses a different mix, depending on their zone. Essentially you want a mix that drains well, and retains sufficient moisture for your local environment. Your zone is pretty extreme. I remember the heat of Phoenix well, way back when I visited in '86. My feet were burning through the soles of my sneakers lol, and I got nuked by the sun bad!!

Whatever soil components you use, I would recommend a ratio of at least 60% organics to 40% inorganics... perhaps even 70/30. The organics basically help retain the moisture, while the inorganics aid the drainage. Sifted compost, pine bark chips, turface, grit, perlite, haydite, decomposed granite, lava rock, akadama, kanuma...... are just some of the materials available. Probably best to keep it simple and pick one organic ingredient and one inorganic.

Have a read up on the various threads in the soils section of the forum for more in depth information. Perhaps someone in your zone will chime in with a soil that works well for them.

All the best,

Aaron

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hodge

so are you saying once it cools down, to repot in a different mix ? Thanks for the fast reply..

badlad52

Hodge:
Was that last post for me? If so, that's not what I meant... But let me know (you can PM me if you would like...)

hodge

yes badlad, i wasnt sure what you meant by pay attention to when the weather cools..

badlad52

Oh, Ok. Just that when the weather cools, the soil will dry more slowly (obviously) and they will need less frequent watering. This is even more of a problem if you are using a highly moisture retentive mix. I live in Seattle, and it rains most of the year, so I use a mix that drains freely. I could water every hour, and never have any problems! But your situation is oposite mine (now! I have been there though!)

pootsie

Hodge:

It's always best to get info locally. I live in Ohio, for instance, and last year moved ONLY 150 miles, but the difference in climate has noticeably affected my soil/watering/shade needs.

Contact some local folks for best info:
http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/PhxBSWing.html

pootsie

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