Works But Doen't "feel" Right.

Will_Heath

Picked up a Mugo, a Trident, and a Western Cedar yesterday at a local growers. Nice stock but the soil in the nursery pots got me to thinking. I took a sample out of each and confirmed it was the same mix in all three then went to the workbench and with patience separted the soils.

What I found was a even mix of granite grit (chicken grit - grower size) turface (same size as the grit) and what appears to be mixed pine bark. After three samples I am sure that all ingrediants are in equal proportions. No sand , peat, humus, or any other ingrediants are present.

Because of the grit the mix has a light grey color which is what made me curious in the first place. Watering convinced me that it was very free draining and a check this morning proved that it will at least hold moisture overnight. I slipped the mugo out of the plastic pot and seen what I would expect, good rooting.

This mix would be easy to duplicate but it just doesn't "feel" right. Any thoughts?

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Adam_MA

What about it doesn't "Feel" right? Color, texture, or weight?

Adam

Will_Heath

well, I've seen better color and it's heavy but that's because of the granite. I guess the texure, maybe I am used to having more organic material in my mixes. I don't see any prblems with this, except maybe increasing the watering schedule....when I hold it, it seems so "rocky"

Adam_MA

I would think if a nursery was using this mix, it would have to support their watering schedule. I don't think they would water more than once a day, though I am probably wrong. If they are local growers you may do well to ask them what their watering habits are.
What is in the normal mix you use?

Adam

Will_Heath

crushed brick or red lava rock or screened Lake Michigan gravel (sharp) 1 part

turface or pumice 1 part

fir bark or coco mulch or mixed pine bark 1 part

#3 swimming pool filter sand or peat (depending on species) 1/2 part

all carefully screened of course.

this other mix that was used in the trees I purchased seemed rocky...a true soiless mix I guess.

bnsaijim

It should essentially behave the same as yours, at least by description... Sounds okay to me. Just pay attention to how it dries compared to yours... adjust schedules accordingly.

Depending on the size of the trees, yours may be TOO "fine" and moisture retentive... Particles 1/4" in size are still okay.

Jim Stone
TX

Will_Heath

I am happy with my current mix, no problems, thank you.

I have been curious about going completely soiless, but it never felt right to me, then I purchased these three trees in a soiless mix and it got me thinking....saeems to be working here on three different species.

Does anyone here use a straight soiless mix?

bonsaial1

Soil is the further decomposition of the exact componets you are usuing. If the granite and bark and sand were put into a giant washing machine for 12 years, soil would pop out. Or what we call soil.

If you mix grits, ie; sand, gravel, granite, clay or brick, and humus, bark or other organics into a chunkier form, it is soil just the same.

Now if you really want to grow soiless, grow your trees in straight sphagnum moss, or hydroponic clay. Maybe styrofoam beads, perlite, or mica. Any of these mediums would suffice for the plants sake. The only reason for the chunkier mix is for protection of the roots rotting in the confined container. The larger mix provides a more free draining atmosphere inside the pot. Tighten the soil and you constrict the draining.

In Japan the soil, or akadama is mostly of the 3/8" to 1/2" size. Kenji Miyata, and Shinji Suzuki both on arrival in the central valley could not believe how we could grow bonsai in such tight soil. I guess they have never had to deal with triple digit temps for weeks at a time. 104 today, and 106 tomarrow. Need to water now... Al

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Will_Heath

Thanks AL,

I always used sand or peat mixed in and often wondered if I could do without, I guess the mix in the trees I bought proves that you can.