Victorim
Omono
Sticking with 'sanicat pink' DE. Amazing stuff but will be adding a little pine bark to certain trees. Wilting Hawthornes make me sad.
Trying any new substrates next year?
- Thread starter just.wing.it
- Start date
KiwiPlantGuy
Omono
Hi Victorim,
The different cat litters sold here in New Zealand confuse me somewhat.
Some have a Zeolite component ( look like 50% zeolite and 50% clay), and and others just clay component. These don't seem to break down in my 'freezer' test.
My question is you or others can answer. It is suggested to stay away from the CLUMPING cat litters. Can you explain what is the difference between non-clumping and clumping from a bonsai soil aspect please?
Also can't find Oil-sorb or Napa here so cat litter it is.
Charles
Victorim
Omono
I know some folks are using all sorts of cat litter as substrate, and with good results. The only two I have experience of are two particular products that are 100% DE. Of the hundreds of cat litters in the UK these are the only ones I`m aware of that are, and many countries just don`t have any. `Tesco, Low Dust` was ok, but the particle size is far too small for my liking, and as others have noted remains wet in the lower levels for too long. `Sanicat Pink` is what im currently using for everything and has a much larger particle size. Dont even need to sift it. A good hose blasting and any dust is washed out.
Have a look at http://bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicscatlitter.htm What started me off. And 30 liters for £11 is awesome too.
Victorim
Omono
hmm Bonsai4me only has :
"New Zealand
Greg Tuthill has e-mailed me to let other enthusaists in New Zealand know that he has imported Turface into the country and this is now available for sale. Please e-mail gregt@inspire.net.nz"
Guess there`s no magic prepackaged stuff for you, so your options are experiment, and if you find the golden egg all of NZ will sing your praises. Or stick with making a proper bonsai mix.
Edit- And your original question
clumping you dont want, its just bad soil physics. Have a read of @markyscott s stuff.
"New Zealand
Greg Tuthill has e-mailed me to let other enthusaists in New Zealand know that he has imported Turface into the country and this is now available for sale. Please e-mail gregt@inspire.net.nz"
Guess there`s no magic prepackaged stuff for you, so your options are experiment, and if you find the golden egg all of NZ will sing your praises. Or stick with making a proper bonsai mix.
Edit- And your original question
clumping you dont want, its just bad soil physics. Have a read of @markyscott s stuff.
Last edited:
Victorim
Omono
Edit timed out.. https://www.bonsainut.com/resources/introductory-soil-physics.29/
Sorry Scott, nothing to see here
Sorry Scott, nothing to see here
KiwiPlantGuy
Omono
Hi,hmm Bonsai4me only has :
"New Zealand
Greg Tuthill has e-mailed me to let other enthusaists in New Zealand know that he has imported Turface into the country and this is now available for sale. Please e-mail gregt@inspire.net.nz"
Guess there`s no magic prepackaged stuff for you, so your options are experiment, and if you find the golden egg all of NZ will sing your praises. Or stick with making a proper bonsai mix.
Edit- And your original question
Thank you for your information and yes it is a matter of trial by cat litter. I think I have one that is ok, just wasn't sure about the clumping. I guess it holds TOO much moisture etc.
Charles
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Mines a water sucking beast too.
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
I think the clumping types have special chemical additives....some cat litter also have scents and colors added as well.
Look for the 100% DE as mentioned above.
To be perfectly honest you'd be better off, and your trees too, to use a base of boons mix them amend from there. I used to use turface as well. I only had a few trees that stop taking on water. My trees were doing ok, but they grow so much better in a mix with akadama.
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
I avoid akadama as everyone says it turns to mud in 2 years.
It is supposed to break down. There are also different hardness that will make it last longer.
Zaratrusta
Sapling
- Messages
- 42
- Reaction score
- 78
I will try pumice and pine bark (80/20) on some trees to see how it works. Akadama and kiryu are very expensive.
Dana
Seedling
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 11
Is that proving to be detrimental for your plant?
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Nah. I just make sure it's watered thoroughly every day. I also cover the substrate with bright wet towels in summer.
CuriousLayman
Sapling
Clay King
Velodog2
Chumono
I've been experimenting with the 50/50 akadama and pumice. Trees I have in it seem to like it so far. Don't know how long it will last before breaking down but I'm keeping an eye on it. I would like to add more pumice to the mix next year.
Anthony
Imperial Masterpiece
Well,
8 mm glass marbles and 3 mm glass spheres plus aged compost have worked well
for the last few years ---------- ball bearing principle and all that.
The hand rolled 8 mm earthenware fired balls plus aged compost are also excellent.
Further tests to be done here at 3 and 5 mm.
Satisfies ball bearing principle, and holds water internally and the aged compost
supplies soil organisms. Both the balls and compost hold water and fertiliser well.
The old stand buy of silica based gravel and crushed red earthenware brick
with aged compost still works very well.
Chances are we will move heavily into the 3 to 5 mm balls and aged compost.
Appears to be a super optimum.
We have also never had a problem with wind blowing anything out of the pot
and we don't tie. Might rest a stone but that is it.
The particles of gravel and brick are also somewhat rounded and don't compact.
We also grow tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, basil.......................
in the above mix, no pesticide needed.
Good Day
Anthony
8 mm glass marbles and 3 mm glass spheres plus aged compost have worked well
for the last few years ---------- ball bearing principle and all that.
The hand rolled 8 mm earthenware fired balls plus aged compost are also excellent.
Further tests to be done here at 3 and 5 mm.
Satisfies ball bearing principle, and holds water internally and the aged compost
supplies soil organisms. Both the balls and compost hold water and fertiliser well.
The old stand buy of silica based gravel and crushed red earthenware brick
with aged compost still works very well.
Chances are we will move heavily into the 3 to 5 mm balls and aged compost.
Appears to be a super optimum.
We have also never had a problem with wind blowing anything out of the pot
and we don't tie. Might rest a stone but that is it.
The particles of gravel and brick are also somewhat rounded and don't compact.
We also grow tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, basil.......................
in the above mix, no pesticide needed.
Good Day
Anthony
Everyone? I don’t think so.
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
- Messages
- 13,170
- Reaction score
- 30,475
- USDA Zone
- 6a
