Turface

TreeBay

Just to clarify fuzzymoto - I am not sure if your post is a response to mine - it seems to be attached to the shoplights post above

In any case, I did not suggest that there is fertilizer in Turface; however, there IS Turface (or other brands of fired, calcinated clay) in a number of products sold as top dressings, and some of these are sold under Turfbuilder name, and some do include fertilizers and sometimes even grass seed in their makeup. I would not be surprised to see that Profile (which refers to an entire line of products, not a specific product) has products containing similar blends.

My message was really intended for first-time buyers so they can check carefully to understand what they are getting.

Regards,

Matt

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Bonsaifreak

Found this from bonsaimonk. 17.95 + S/H for a 50 lb bag of turface or soil conditioner. It doesn't sound too bad. I am planning on buying a bag, mix it 50/50 with large particle silica pool sand or crushed lava rock and then 60/40 with pine bark...

http://www.trappist.net/estore/merc...egory_Code=soil

I've never tried Turface before. My current soil mix uses haydite-based soil conditioner (gray in color) and pine bark but I'm not very happy with it...

Jorge

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fuzzymoto

Be sure to ASK what shipping and handling is for a 50lb bag of Turface sent from Georgia. I suspect it will be more than the cost of the bag of Turface itself. Also Bonsaimonk adds shipping later so unless you ask you don't find out the shipping costs until you get your credit card statement.

Matt...yes I was replying to yours but I did understand where you were going with it. You mean you don't use Scotts Turfbuilder on your trees?

fuzzymoto

Be clear that this is 10 lbs not 10 gallons. 10lbs is probably just over 1 gallon for most soil mixes.

PatArizona

G'day all...

I have used:
2 parts OilDri or Profile or Turface,
1 part lava, and,
"orchid mix" (bark), generally from less than 5% to about 10%.

I stay away from peat since I've had the experience of once the peat dries out, it is nearly impossible to get it to absorb water withoput immersion...1-1/2 to 2 hours. It simply is not worth that effort.

Without anything approaching a controlled scientific study, when comparing OilDri to Profile to Turface, the results are the same.

OilDri (a dirty word in some quarters) is marketed as an oil spill cleanup product, and is available in the automotive departments of SAM's Club (40# bag for about $4.00) and Walmart (about the same price for a 10# plastic jug). It is a fired clay similar to Profile and Turface. Color is gray...ugly! But, I will use it in a pinch.

Profile is available at Walmart...I've seen it in two sizes (10# and 40-50#). Also available at ACE Hardware...both sizes. Better color, and my choice since:

Turface is not to be found, at least the last time I looked, in Southern Arizona. I did order it one time from the Monestary...about $20.00 for 50 pounds...shipping ran the cost to about $40.00. Color about the same as Profile. But I'll stick to local purchaes.

I started an experiment six months ago...I put 2 tablespoons each of OilDri, Profile, Turface and a high quality kitty litter (if there is such a thing) into individual (1/2 pint) jars...the kitty litter just to make it a little more interesting...

Today, six months and one week later, the litter, although it has not turned to mush, crumbles easily between two fingers. I found the OilDri, Profile, and Turface did not crumble.

Akadama wasn't included...didn't have any...but, from my limited experience I suspect that it would be more "mushy" than the litter.

Not a testimonial...just my experience.

Have a good day...

Pat

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Martinez

Little Jon, All -

I may have a solution for you. Have you heard of Hydroton? If not here is a small primer. On page three you can see the different sizes they make. You can buy bags in 4/8mm round or UK unround = 5/32" to 5/16" (actual = .1574 to .3149). to

Hydroton appears to have the same qualities that Turface has. Clay aggregate composed of kiln-fired shale. Pelletized into little "rocks" that are chemically inert and pH neutral. You wash it with a 1:9 ratio of bleach to water to re-use it. It is very popular in the hydroponic world.

I bought a 2L (basically 2lbs) bag of the 1/4" to 1/2" size for $7.00. I'm sure you could get the smaller stuff if you asked a hydroponic store to order it for you. Most online hydroponic stores have some form of Hydroton for sale.

These guys are located in St. Louis, MO; Wormsway. That page has the shipping info which is Flat rate shipping based on the dollar amount you spend. I'm sure that they could order the type you want and ship it to you.

For a 10L (10lbs) bag they want $14.95,that would be $20 bucks after shipping. VERY reasonable if you ask me...

Bottom line is you don't have to sift or sieve Hydroton, as it comes in the specified sizes. THERE are no fines WHATSOEVER.

Hope this helped.

Edit to add; Okostrat - Broken Clay like Turface. Its a new product, and I haven't been able to locate a distributor here in the states yet... If its like its brother Hydroton... it should be good. It is marketed as "Aquaclay", but as a "specialty" item, it commands a "specialty" price. Once the market has a demand for the regular Okostrat the prices should be around Hydroton's prices.

Not affiliated....blah, blah, blah...

Newt

Well I did not read all the responses to this thread so I may be repeating some info but oh well.

The price of this stuff varies greatly evidently. For my 50lbs bag of turface MVP I am paying $8-9 (farm and garden store). Usually lasts me all year.

If you want to pay more for the same thing (I.E. making a specific "bonsai" turface) then just buy the "aquatic soil" from profile. They sell a small, maybe 10 pound bag for more than I pay for my 50 pound bag! Of course it does come with a purrty, flashy, expesive looking bag with a koi on the front, guess that justifies the extra $.

Newt

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Bonsai Barry

One consideration is availability, Newt. I don't seem to find turface available in CA. I found a place in the midwest that sells 50 pounds of MVP for $6, but shipping is $32 to CA. This makes the aqautic soil seem like a bargain!

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TreeBay

If there is a golf course near you, there is Turface. Call the 800 number at the bottom left of the website and leave a message. They'll call you back with the nearest distributors - usually suppliers to parks & groundskeepers. Ask for the MVP

http://www.turface.com/productinfo_turface.html

Regards,

Matt

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