Warren Hill soil workshop

DeanE

Listened to Mr. Hill for four hours yesterday and took a quantum leap in understanding. He knows bonsai. To boil it down he stated that 80% of
our problems could be solved by the correct type of soil. The most common
mistake is using media that have salt in the mix. (also chemical fert that has
salt) He advised all of us to take our turface and make a nice new path in the garden with it. Do not use it for bonsai.You could hear the groans from the crowd.
Now I'm a rank beginner and am going to take his advice (more than just not using turface) as gospel.I do not have any plants potted as bonsai and before I do I need to readreadread. Osmotic pressure sheesh. Basalt vs Granite?
*sigh* So you're tellin' me I actually need to know the chemistry AND the botany *aaaiiieee* So I guess I'm looking at 2010 for a tree in a pot
Oh well. Just means I have plenty of time to shop for pots before I use em.

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soonami

So what does Mr. Hill recommend in place of turface? Akadama? kanuma? pumice? ground up hundred dollar bills?

I'd like to know what his thoughts are on soil because you will find a lot of knowledgeable people that might disagree.

Bonsai Barry

Please excuse my ignorance, but I'm unfamilar with Wallace Hill. Without making aspersions, I'd like to know his credentials before accepting his advice.

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Bonsai Barry

"Our talent lies in our choices."

Ralph

former Supervisory Curator for the U.S. National Bonsai Collection

http://www.warrenhillbonsai.com/


He just might know a little something...

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Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

midwestbonsai

Have any of you read this facinating post?
http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthread.php?t=13752

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pootsie

Yes, please, tell us what he propses instead of turface. Or just his recipe as a whole?
That would be cool.

pootsie

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Columbus Bonsai Society

midwestbonsai

Or he might know as much as he thinks he does. Just because someone is the curator for the national bonsai exhibit, doesnt mean he is God. It is possible that he could just have a big head.
I know people that have been using just turface for years and years as bonsai soil with nothing to show for it other than a very nice collection of growing bonsai.
-Paul

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agraham

I,too,would like to know what Mr. Hill considers an alternative to turface.More to the point,what does he consider a "salt free" soil mix.

As much as most bonsai is watered,I would think that salt problems would be one of the lesser worries because of leaching.Unless,ofcourse,the water itself is full of salts,thus replacing any salts which were leached out.

As far as chemical fertiliser......to each his/her own..but again,I doubt there is much accumulation of salts in any well draining mix.

~LOL~....dang soil science and bonsai mixes......more contentious than global warming!

And...I absolutely disagree with his statement that 80% of our(my) problems are related to the soil type I use,unless he was speaking of horticulture rather than bonsai.My problems are 90% design decisions,or rather indecisions .

With that said....Mr. Hill certainly has the credentials to know what has worked for him and what will probably work for you.I'm sure it was an interesting and valuable lecture/class.

andy

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Ralph

My point being, that the collection he has presided over just might be the nicest in the entire United States, and quite possibly a guy like that just might know something about soils. Dontcha think?

__________________
Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.