Did I kill my tree? An anxious first post!

[Poink88]

For the record...the OP already used potting soil (read the post). I do not know what he used. I only chimed in to point out that using potting soil does not automatically spell death to the tree. There are many factors involved and he can adjust one or more of those to make it work.

FYI, in nature, plants survive in; sand, clay, rocks, leaves, soil, etc... maybe most of you forgotten that fact so this is just a reminder. May not be optimal for bonsai but they do work (some better than others).

The faster one learns, the better...in everything. Spoon feeding is bad, teaching them to analyze & solve things by themselves is better. (you know the teaching how to fish instead of providing fish thing?)

 

[Poink88]

Still my judgement on the nature and the outcome of "Potting Soils" remains. In the end they turn to concrete.

In how many centuries? With this analogy...why bother with bonsai? It will turn into dust anyway?

BTW, I disagree...I use concrete a lot in my projects...my soil mix WILL NEVER become concrete. It may pack and harden...but not turn into concrete EVER!

 

[coppice]

Longer ago than I want to admit, Me & my fat head were sure I knew everything of any importance regarding gardening.

A cookie crumb trail of dead japan maples followed my garden adventures with seedling trees. I did first, and read later (for what I aught to have done).

Soiless mix and cat-litter (or any other clay product) stand head and shoulders above all others for, what not to use in soil. Or at least what I'll never use again as soil for trees.

At that time I lived in the Mondadnock area of NH. Granite crumbs were on sale at any gravel mill in need of sifting out the fines was on sale for as little as $ 10 a ton.

I no longer live in NH, but granite based chicken-turkey scratch is on offer at any feed store. At a good enough price (and mostly sifted) to still command my use of it as a major soil component.

 

[Vance Wood]

In how many centuries? With this analogy...why bother with bonsai? It will turn into dust anyway?

BTW, I disagree...I use concrete a lot in my projects...my soil mix WILL NEVER become concrete. It may pack and harden...but not turn into concrete EVER!

I'm sorry that you do not understand the use of metaphor. However; though potting soil may not turn into actual cement I find it (for me and me only) to not be too intelligent or expedient to use as a product that in the space of a few years has to be broken up with a hammer. In my book that is about as close to cement I care to get for something I don't plan on parking my car on or using for the foundation of a house, especially when one considers that there are far better alternatives.

 

[Poink88]

I'm sorry that you do not understand the use of metaphor. However; though potting soil may not turn into actual cement I find it (for me and me only) to not be too intelligent or expedient to use as a product that in the space of a few years has to be broken up with a hammer. In my book that is about as close to cement I care to get for something I don't plan on parking my car on or using for the foundation of a house, especially when one considers that there are far better alternatives.

There is no way my "soil" will require a hammer to break. To date, they stay loose & crumble easily. May not be as loose as well graded aggregate but my plants are loving it. That is all that matters to me.

I've bought a few trees in "bonsai soil" and the roots are very unhealthy. No thank you.

 

[Vance Wood]

There is no way my "soil" will require a hammer to break. To date, they stay loose & crumble easily. May not be as loose as well graded aggregate but my plants are loving it. That is all that matters to me.

I've bought a few trees in "bonsai soil" and the roots are very unhealthy. No thank you.

Listen you your own council if you prefer. Truth being that you do not publish pictures of your own trees we have no idea how successful your council is. If the following quote copied off your signature: Dario - a newbie who started bonsai on 10/09/2011, you have only been doing bonsai since 2011. I don't fault you for that but in the larger scheme of things you have not carried a temperate tree through a potting cycle yet. You don't have a clue how your soil mix is going to hold up after five years or even three years.

 

[Poink88]

Listen you your own council if you prefer. Truth being that you do not publish pictures of your own trees we have no idea how successful your council is. If the following quote copied off your signature: Dario - a newbie who started bonsai on 10/09/2011, you have only been doing bonsai since 2011. I don't fault you for that but in the larger scheme of things you have not carried a temperate tree through a potting cycle yet. You don't have a clue how your soil mix is going to hold up after five years or even three years.

LOL. I think I've posted more trees than you do recently. You just need to open your eyes.

Use what ever works for you Vance...and I will use what works for me. Fair enough?

 

[Vance Wood]

LOL. I think I've posted more trees than you do recently. You just need to open your eyes.

Use what ever works for you Vance...and I will use what works for me. Fair enough?

Where are they I would love to see how you are doing. I can't post pictures of trees because they are at the bottom of my own glacier, or is metaphor still a misunderstood subject.

 

[Poink88]

Where are they I would love to see how you are doing. I can't post pictures of trees because they are at the bottom of my own glacier, or is metaphor still a misunderstood subject.

Click on my user name...check my posts. They are everywhere and I am not about to look for you.

 

[Vance Wood]

Click on my user name...check my posts. They are everywhere and I am not about to look for you.

If every where; you mean the same picture of the same Ficus over and over, the provenance of which seems uncertain, then at least there is a picture of a tree.

I just don't understand how someone with the ego you demonstrate can grasp any excuse in the book to explain why you don't let your work stand as a testimony and credit to your work. Personally I am not looking for master pieces but the evidence that your knowledge of bonsai goes beyond Poly-wana-cracker bonsai would make me happy.

 

[Poink88]

If every where; you mean the same picture of the same Ficus over and over, the provenance of which seems uncertain, then at least there is a picture of a tree.

I just don't understand how someone with the ego you demonstrate can grasp any excuse in the book to explain why you don't let your work stand as a testimony and credit to your work. Personally I am not looking for master pieces but the evidence that your knowledge of bonsai goes beyond Poly-wana-cracker bonsai would make me happy.

I really wonder what meds you are taking. I have a few ficus but can't recall the last time I posted pics of them.

 

[Vance Wood]

I really wonder what meds you are taking. I have a few ficus but can't recall the last time I posted pics of them.

Then go follow your own advise to me.

 

[Dav4]

Hey Underdog...are you still here? If you are, you would do yourself a big favor contacting Brian Van Fleet, a Bnut member who lives right outside of Birmingham. He's been growing some great bonsai in 'bama' for some time now and can probably give you some meaningful advice concerning your trees, as I know he grows ume and crabs in his yard. He's also a member of a club in Birmingham...not sure how close you are to that part of AL but if you are, I'd strongly consider joining. Good luck with your trees.

 

[Poink88]

Then go follow your own advise to me.

Vance,

This is my last post here. You must be on the good "stuff".

For now, I refuse to waste my time anymore on your incoherent ramblings. I used to respect some of your input but lately you've been sliding.

Have fun and Bye!

To the OP, sorry for the hijack.

 

[Vance Wood]

Vance,

This is my last post here. You must be on the good "stuff".

For now, I refuse to waste my time anymore on your incoherent ramblings. I used to respect some of your input but lately you've been sliding.

Have fun and Bye!

To the OP, sorry for the hijack.

I too am sorry this got away. However Poink88, I have never in any of our dealings found it necessary to insult you or accuse you of mental instability or as you put it, sliding. I believe I have only addressed your errors. But it seems that when you find yourself cornered you resort to insults and what ever else you can come up with. So----if you want to leave don't let the door hit you in the butt., you are what one could consider a coward,---maybe not.

 

[underdog1425]

Hey guys, sorry I fell off the world for a minute there. I have moved the trees outside where they will get sunlight from midday to sunset, or however long it takes the house's shadow to quit covering them. I also updated my zone. Thanks to armetisius, I have learned that my central alabama zone is 8a/8b.

As for the flamewar, internet dick waving happens everywhere, I'm used to it. And I learned a bit from reading that lol.

Now, on to the replies in no particular order..

Welcome to the obsession. *snip*
Like I said, Welcome to the obsession. Grow something beautiful.
a.

Haha! I already get weird looks at hardware stores thanks to crazy computer modding, so I won't be surprised when it happens elsewhere.

Colanders as growing pots? can you elaborate on that for me?

The problem with using a commercial potting soil *snip* Slow-crete turns to cement a lot slower than Quick-crete but the end is the same.

I used some sort of Miracle Gro, I will get more specific information from the bag when I get off work.

Hey Underdog...are you still here? *snip * Good luck with your trees.

Done! THANK YOU for that tidbit of information!

Forgive me for making the assumption *snip* soil and whether or not bonsai is an art.

I am definitely noob to this, what I meant in that post#12 was that I opened the bag and thought "......gravel?". I am open to learn from everyone here, sorry for the misunderstanding.