Muck, the Hagedorn way

[Ruddigger]

Is that without the cornstarch?

Correct.

 

[Gabler]

I would swear I read an old Hagedorn blog post recently wherein he makes muck from only cornstarch and moss—no fines. I can't seem to find it, but here's two other blog posts on the topic.

Repotting Closeups 2023

A few photos with captions of our repotting adventures in 2023… A partial soil replacement of a hemlock, with the beginning of a muck wall to hold the soil in. The wall was up to the top when finis…

crataegus.com

Red Pine / Ponderosa on Rock-

One of the bonsai benefits of living in the volcanic Pacific Northwest of the U.S. is the geology. There are many dark, irregular rocks out there for rock plantings. This pine was originally a Pond…

crataegus.com

 

[RJG2]

I would swear I read an old Hagedorn blog post recently wherein he makes muck from only cornstarch and moss—no fines. I can't seem to find it, but here's two other blog posts on the topic.

Repotting Closeups 2023

A few photos with captions of our repotting adventures in 2023… A partial soil replacement of a hemlock, with the beginning of a muck wall to hold the soil in. The wall was up to the top when finis…

crataegus.com

Red Pine / Ponderosa on Rock-

One of the bonsai benefits of living in the volcanic Pacific Northwest of the U.S. is the geology. There are many dark, irregular rocks out there for rock plantings. This pine was originally a Pond…

crataegus.com

Nice, that March 2023 post has the most info I've seen from him - I had only seen it mentioned in comments on his earlier posts. Looks like between everyone in this thread, we've nailed down the details.

Thanks all!

 

[RJG2]

Also, the first time I used the recipe is still holding up well almost two years later.

This post is a year and a half in:

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/kishu-on-a-cliff.59979/post-1149439

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Like @erich_raudebaugh I've participated in muck wall construction at Crataegus and can confirm the mixture is, (or was at least a few years ago) 1/3 corn starch cooked to peanut butter consistency, 1/3 akadama fines, 1/3 milled sphagnum moss
inoculated with finely pulverized fresh moss and lichens.
It was easy to manipulate, fairly strong and lasted well after initial careful waterings.

 

[Michael P]

Question for all, how long does the cornstarch muck "keep" before you use it? I would like to make enough just before re-potting season for all my projects that need it rather than multiple small batches.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Not sure how long it lasts, we've always used immediately

 

[Shogun610]

Question for all, how long does the cornstarch muck "keep" before you use it? I would like to make enough just before re-potting season for all my projects that need it rather than multiple small batches.

You gotta do it live pretty much .. I love the idea but man a few slabs disintegrated