Got my soil ready today
- Thread starter Joelshack2362
- Start date
jeremy_norbury
Omono
Good stuff.
I mix my own and it's really satisfying to get all the bits together and finally mix a few buckets up. I have to do this 3-4 times per year but I never find it a chore.
I mix my own and it's really satisfying to get all the bits together and finally mix a few buckets up. I have to do this 3-4 times per year but I never find it a chore.
Joelshack2362
Shohin
That's great, yes I don't find it a chore either.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
I spent a few hours today ficting all my recyclings of the year. All in about 250 litres worth / 66 gallons. Handsifted into 3 keeping grades and fines. My arms are telling me it was a chore..
Joelshack2362
Shohin
Now that is what I call a labor of love. That is alot of work!
WIlliam_Butler_Yeets
Mame
I recently spent a Sunday afternoon standing in my cold garage sifting about ten gallons of bonsai soil, got a 14l bag of akadama to pick up at the club meeting tonight, it's about to be time to repot a lot of things
jeremy_norbury
Omono
Are you planning to mix the akadama in or what?
What are you paying for akadama there?
WIlliam_Butler_Yeets
Mame
Yeah, I'm gonna mix akadama as needed depending on the tree, a bit less for pines, more for maples etc. The 14 liter bag I ordered was $46.00 USD, no shipping cost since the guy does bulk deliveries to bonsai clubs in the area
I guess I should note the soil I buy premixed form a nursery nearby that does about a third each of pumice, lava, and diatomaceous earth, my plan is supplementing that with akadama to alter water retention
Last edited:
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
When one starts in bonsai, not much media is needed on hand. Over time, as the trees in the collection grow larger and the collection itself begins to grow. That’s when one needs to have a system of acquiring, mixing and storage already in place to handle increasing volume.
There are a lot of ways to approach this. My unasked for advice is to take your time, plan ahead and choose a system that best works for you.
As only one example. In our yard we build with components to custom make our media, then recycle after repots. This alleviates the need to acquire a constant supply of components. Purchases are limited to occasional bags of akadama and biochar. Our ready storage system is a couple tuff racks and a dozen 5 gal containers with flex covers. Long term storage area, to avoid “expensive emergency purchases,” is the constructed “loft” of the garage.
Since our azaleas seem to constantly multiple more kanuma and small pumice is needed every other year. However our existing azalea media is also recycled.
Cheers
DSD sends
There are a lot of ways to approach this. My unasked for advice is to take your time, plan ahead and choose a system that best works for you.
As only one example. In our yard we build with components to custom make our media, then recycle after repots. This alleviates the need to acquire a constant supply of components. Purchases are limited to occasional bags of akadama and biochar. Our ready storage system is a couple tuff racks and a dozen 5 gal containers with flex covers. Long term storage area, to avoid “expensive emergency purchases,” is the constructed “loft” of the garage.
Since our azaleas seem to constantly multiple more kanuma and small pumice is needed every other year. However our existing azalea media is also recycled.
Cheers
DSD sends
Joelshack2362
Shohin
Awesome information thanks for reply. I have been wondering about recycling the media. Any idea how many times you can recycle before it's not good for the trees? I used a basic lava, pumice, bark mix.
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
Sure.
Actually no idea, pumice and lava can be recycled many many times. The only reason one can’t reuse is when particle size gets so small as to not be useful.
Usually Akadama is the particle that breaks down. 20-35% depending how exposed pots are to freeze thaw.
In your case it will be bark particles. Bark will only last as an effective component for 2-3 years due to biological/chemical and physical break down. So when recycling one would want to remove all but the stray largest particles. It’s pretty easy to remove when rinsing… most of the larger particles will float to the top… and the rest will flow out. So be prepared to replace the large majority of the bark.
Some pumice can also float. Soaking and washing through a colander will recover this component with little effort.
The basic recycle process here is wash well… with a final rinse through a colander to remove the smallest particles, heat, sift, sort as needed and add needed components.
@leatherback uses a slightly different process. He has a video of it on his website.
Cheers
DSD sends
Actually no idea, pumice and lava can be recycled many many times. The only reason one can’t reuse is when particle size gets so small as to not be useful.
Usually Akadama is the particle that breaks down. 20-35% depending how exposed pots are to freeze thaw.
In your case it will be bark particles. Bark will only last as an effective component for 2-3 years due to biological/chemical and physical break down. So when recycling one would want to remove all but the stray largest particles. It’s pretty easy to remove when rinsing… most of the larger particles will float to the top… and the rest will flow out. So be prepared to replace the large majority of the bark.
Some pumice can also float. Soaking and washing through a colander will recover this component with little effort.
The basic recycle process here is wash well… with a final rinse through a colander to remove the smallest particles, heat, sift, sort as needed and add needed components.
@leatherback uses a slightly different process. He has a video of it on his website.
Cheers
DSD sends
jeremy_norbury
Omono
I use about 20-25% akadama here. We pay a LOT less for it - I saw it yesterday at my local importer (Lodder) for €18.50/$19.22 / 14L.
WIlliam_Butler_Yeets
Mame
Oooh, not bad at all!
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
That’s cheap for sure. Our club makes huge buys each year and we get it at there cost. Last year it was 33.00 USD delivered to our local distribution point.
Cheers
DSD sends
jeremy_norbury
Omono
I reckon wholesale price here is under $10. I got 4 bags before Christmas for €16/bag with a 15% discount.
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