Does anyone want to start a soil database with pricing from various shops in their areas?

[Trenthany]

I wouldn’t mind hosting a webpage (it’ll be basic) with a database of stores by state (us centric I know! Lol) and/or country to people find sources for soil ingredients. If anyone wants to help with this project I could use help collating everything. Perhaps we could cloud source it and upload periodically. I’m thinking avoid specific mixes and just go with ingredients to avoid wars over what mix is best. If there are some really common soil mixes they could be included but then people with shall we say “unorthodox” mixes might get cranky that brand x got mentioned and not their favorite brand y.
Anyways, let me know what y’all think and if you want to help figure it out.

 

[leatherback]

I do not see the added benefit. Then again, I have my suppliers that have what I need. And the differences in prices make it hardly worth looking around

 

[davetree]

The best source for soil ingredients is your local bonsai club. Most clubs buy soil mixes and ingredients in bulk and can save you a ton of money.

 

[leatherback]

Most clubs buy soil mixes and ingredients in bulk and can save you a ton of money.

good point

 

[Nybonsai12]

The best source for soil ingredients is your local bonsai club. Most clubs buy soil mixes and ingredients in bulk and can save you a ton of money.

This is true. In my area there are hardly any true bonsai nurseries. If not my club, I’m ordering online.

 

[Trenthany]

Within 3 hours in any direction I have 5-10 suppliers
so I was thinking other people might have similar quandaries. Guess not!

 

[Mikecheck123]

Within 3 hours in any direction I have 5-10 suppliers
so I was thinking other people might have similar quandaries. Guess not!

LOL. I can't believe these people saying that more information is bad. I say go for it!

 

[leatherback]

LOL. I can't believe these people saying that more information is bad. I say go for it!

I just think it is solving a problem that does not exist in my world.

 

[HorseloverFat]

That’s a neat idea, @Trenthany

It DEFINITELY wouldn’t hurt. I’m already pretty much “set” with my OWN situation. (“Going in” wholesale, yadda-yadda-yadda)
Some people AREN’T as fortunate, or may be “open” to other options... I’d be interested in redesigning my supply routine if it meant decent savings, or less trouble.

I was thinking of doing this, or something similar for DNR and Federal hardwood/tree collection information. Not just permits/limits/type/property manager information.. but maps of state and federal areas with corresponding collection data... It’s all readily available. Just thinking of a comprehensive compilation.

Whoah!

Lemme direct this “semi”tangent-train back onto it’s respective “partial”-track.

*exhales*

I think it’s a good idea, which could prove very useful.

 

[Trenthany]

I’m mainly thinking of newbies that may not have a club, or shop nearby but are here to research because they want to be involved.

 

[leatherback]

By all means, set one up

But.. It might just be me. I have about 120 trees, give or take 30 depending on the time of year and my sorting-hat. I find I spend maybe 30 bucks per year on substrate. Say you find someone willing to sell for 30% less. That is 10 bucks saved. Is it worth the trouble? Especially considering prices change and you might end up with a perpetually outdated list?

 

[vp999]

By all means, set one up

But.. It might just be me. I have about 120 trees, give or take 30 depending on the time of year and my sorting-hat. I find I spend maybe 30 bucks per year on substrate. Say you find someone willing to sell for 30% less. That is 10 bucks saved. Is it worth the trouble? Especially considering prices change and you might end up with a perpetually outdated list?

How do you only spend $30 a year on substrate ? Just a bag of pumice here is over $30 already and you have 120+ trees. Thats amazing.

 

[leatherback]

How do you only spend $30 a year on substrate ? Just a bag of pumice here is over $30 already and you have 120+ trees. Thats amazing.

First of all, I do not throw away substrate. I dry it, sift it and re-use. So I only have to buy small amounts. And what I use is affordable. Most expensive is the cactus mix, which I bought once, a few years ago. Most that I buy is pinebark. A bag per year. The rest.. I might bring a bag of schale or kitten litter or coarse bims with me when I need some. But all in volumes of maybe 2, 3 bags per year.

Sifted Lava-Bims-Zeolith mix 25l / 17,5E || 20USD for 6 gallons

Vulkatec Kakteenerde Premium Substrat mit Bims & Lava für Kakteen

www.vulkatec-onlineshop.de

Graded pinebark 100% usable: 60l/11,77E || 13USD/15 gallons

Piniendekor, 60 L, 15-25 mm Körnung | 925697

Diese Variante ist nur in den Märkten erhältlich. Bodengold Premium Pinien-Dekor aus naturreiner, zerkleinerter und gesiebter Pinienborke maritime…

www.hellweg.de

Broken expanded schale, 100% usable: 50l / 12E || 13 gallon / 13USD

Rigips Rigidur Ausgleichschüttung 50 l kaufen | Globus Baumarkt

Rigips Rigidur Ausgleichschüttung 50 l kaufen bei Globus Baumarkt: Top-Auswahl & Bestpreis-Garantie ➽ online bestellen oder reservieren & abholen!

www.globus-baumarkt.de

Diatomous earth, 100% usable: 20L / 5,59E || 5 gallons / 7 USD

Linda Foetsie Kat 20L | Ranzijn tuin & dier

Linda Foetsie Kat 20L bij Ranzijn tuin & dier. Koop Linda Foetsie Kat 20L voordelig online!

www.ranzijn.nl

 

[Trenthany]

By all means, set one up

But.. It might just be me. I have about 120 trees, give or take 30 depending on the time of year and my sorting-hat. I find I spend maybe 30 bucks per year on substrate. Say you find someone willing to sell for 30% less. That is 10 bucks saved. Is it worth the trouble? Especially considering prices change and you might end up with a perpetually outdated list?

Good point on soil. Mostly in organic soil means recycled soils doesn’t it. Damn. I just started mixing but I knew that and it went right over my head. Thanks for the wake up call. There probably aren’t that many serious newbies each year to follow through with it.

 

[Trenthany]

First of all, I do not throw away substrate. I dry it, sift it and re-use. So I only have to buy small amounts. And what I use is affordable. Most expensive is the cactus mix, which I bought once, a few years ago. Most that I buy is pinebark. A bag per year. The rest.. I might bring a bag of schale or kitten litter or coarse bims with me when I need some. But all in volumes of maybe 2, 3 bags per year.

Sifted Lava-Bims-Zeolith mix 25l / 17,5E || 20USD for 6 gallons

Vulkatec Kakteenerde Premium Substrat mit Bims & Lava für Kakteen

www.vulkatec-onlineshop.de

Graded pinebark 100% usable: 60l/11,77E || 13USD/15 gallons

Piniendekor, 60 L, 15-25 mm Körnung | 925697

Diese Variante ist nur in den Märkten erhältlich. Bodengold Premium Pinien-Dekor aus naturreiner, zerkleinerter und gesiebter Pinienborke maritime…

www.hellweg.de

Broken expanded schale, 100% usable: 50l / 12E || 13 gallon / 13USD

Rigips Rigidur Ausgleichschüttung 50 l kaufen | Globus Baumarkt

Rigips Rigidur Ausgleichschüttung 50 l kaufen bei Globus Baumarkt: Top-Auswahl & Bestpreis-Garantie ➽ online bestellen oder reservieren & abholen!

www.globus-baumarkt.de

Diatomous earth, 100% usable: 20L / 5,59E || 5 gallons / 7 USD

Linda Foetsie Kat 20L | Ranzijn tuin & dier

Linda Foetsie Kat 20L bij Ranzijn tuin & dier. Koop Linda Foetsie Kat 20L voordelig online!

www.ranzijn.nl

Thank you for sharing! Northern Germany doesn’t help me much for buying (dirt cheap! Literally lol.) but your components list can still be helpful for those of us tweaking our mixes.

 

[HorseloverFat]

First of all, I do not throw away substrate. I dry it, sift it and re-use. So I only have to buy small amounts. And what I use is affordable. Most expensive is the cactus mix, which I bought once, a few years ago. Most that I buy is pinebark. A bag per year. The rest.. I might bring a bag of schale or kitten litter or coarse bims with me when I need some. But all in volumes of maybe 2, 3 bags per year.

Sifted Lava-Bims-Zeolith mix 25l / 17,5E || 20USD for 6 gallons

Vulkatec Kakteenerde Premium Substrat mit Bims & Lava für Kakteen

www.vulkatec-onlineshop.de

Graded pinebark 100% usable: 60l/11,77E || 13USD/15 gallons

Piniendekor, 60 L, 15-25 mm Körnung | 925697

Diese Variante ist nur in den Märkten erhältlich. Bodengold Premium Pinien-Dekor aus naturreiner, zerkleinerter und gesiebter Pinienborke maritime…

www.hellweg.de

Broken expanded schale, 100% usable: 50l / 12E || 13 gallon / 13USD

Rigips Rigidur Ausgleichschüttung 50 l kaufen | Globus Baumarkt

Rigips Rigidur Ausgleichschüttung 50 l kaufen bei Globus Baumarkt: Top-Auswahl & Bestpreis-Garantie ➽ online bestellen oder reservieren & abholen!

www.globus-baumarkt.de

Diatomous earth, 100% usable: 20L / 5,59E || 5 gallons / 7 USD

Linda Foetsie Kat 20L | Ranzijn tuin & dier

Linda Foetsie Kat 20L bij Ranzijn tuin & dier. Koop Linda Foetsie Kat 20L voordelig online!

www.ranzijn.nl

Awesome, @leatherback !

 

[rockm]

Have you looked through here:

BSF Club/Society Information – Bonsai Societies of Florida

bonsai-bsf.com

Setting up a list of state resources has already been done. An email to the club closest to you asking about soil resources will probably yield the best results...Local conditions lead to different soil requirements.

 

[Trenthany]

T

Have you looked through here:

BSF Club/Society Information – Bonsai Societies of Florida

bonsai-bsf.com

Setting up a list of state resources has already been done. An email to the club closest to you asking about soil resources will probably yield the best results...Local conditions lead to different soil requirements.

his should be a good resource and that was my thought to create a sortable database that people could contribute to. But it would only really be of help to new people, most of which can join a local club. I’m in a weird position because I work weekends so can’t really join any of the clubs. You guys are my club! I am trying to talk to as many of the nurseries near me as I can when I find time to get away.

 

[rockm]

T

his should be a good resource and that was my thought to create a sortable database that people could contribute to. But it would only really be of help to new people, most of which can join a local club. I’m in a weird position because I work weekends so can’t really join any of the clubs. You guys are my club! I am trying to talk to as many of the nurseries near me as I can when I find time to get away.

you don't have to join. CALL and/or email. There's no excuse for not reaching out.. The people in those clubs, I'd bet, would be happy to help you out. And FWIW, club meetings aren't always on the weekends..

This place is nice, but when it comes to local questions (climate, soils, etc.) you will get dozens of different (and wrong, misleading or half assed responses). You will learn more during an hour in-person meeting with an actual bonsai person than you will "learn" here in five years. Guarantee it...

 

[Trenthany]

T

you don't have to join. CALL and/or email. There's no excuse for not reaching out.. The people in those clubs, I'd bet, would be happy to help you out. And FWIW, club meetings aren't always on the weekends..

This place is nice, but when it comes to local questions (climate, soils, etc.) you will get dozens of different (and wrong, misleading or half assed responses). You will learn more during an hour in-person meeting with an actual bonsai person than you will "learn" here in five years. Guarantee it...

This is true, but so far my closest clubs responses have been very limited. There’s been a rash of theft the last few years so anyone that isn’t a full member gets a very cold shoulder. I’m tempted to join just to get their mailing list. Then I could contact individual members. With Covid things are on a bit of a hold.