iMuse
Sapling
I was wondering what potting media you guys use. My university plant and soil science department uses spagnum peat moss, wood chips, perlite, and vermiculite.
Last edited:
Soilless Media..?
- Thread starter iMuse
- Start date
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Oil dri
Eric Group
Masterpiece
"Outing media"?
Not sure what you mean... POTTING media probably? Are we going to have this discussion again? Please tell me "outing media" is something new!
iMuse
Sapling
Where would I find it? I'm wanting to find a good media for my juniper.
iMuse
Sapling
It was autocorrect, "potting media" is correct, I'm posting from my phone."Outing media"?
Not sure what you mean... POTTING media probably? Are we going to have this discussion again? Please tell me "outing media" is something new!
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
I get mine from Napa auto parts. Part number 8822. I use it straight up or with a little turkey grit (granite) from the feed store tossed in.
I see Auto Value has some also. Feels like it is larger particles. Buying a bag tomorrow to test.
I see Auto Value has some also. Feels like it is larger particles. Buying a bag tomorrow to test.
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Outing media. Like the Bruce Jenner interview.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Soil is a VERY common topic here as it is an important aspect of bonsai. There are MANY threads on soil here and MANY differing opinions. A lot of it depends on the species of tree and where you are located. Not one soil mix fits all. I have posted what I use so many times, Im beginning to feel like a broken record.
Might want to do a search, and look in the "Soils" section. I dont think many of us want to have this conversation again.....
Might want to do a search, and look in the "Soils" section. I dont think many of us want to have this conversation again.....
KennedyMarx
Omono
Three really common mixes:
Turface / lava rock / pine bark fines
Akadama / lava rock / pumice
Perlite / Pine bark fines
Some people use Turface or NAPA Floor Dry straight or cut with chicken grit. You will find pages upon pages arguing in the threads in the soil section of the forum.
Turface / lava rock / pine bark fines
Akadama / lava rock / pumice
Perlite / Pine bark fines
Some people use Turface or NAPA Floor Dry straight or cut with chicken grit. You will find pages upon pages arguing in the threads in the soil section of the forum.
Eric Group
Masterpiece
Akadama is the "magic" ingredient that they probably don't use or don't know about at the University but it is hard to classify any of the mixes above as "soil less" as they are pretty much all some form of sand, clay or other organic component commonly found in soil.. The "inorganic mixes" like Akadama, Pumice, lava are some of the most popular right now and are about as close to "soilless" as you can get without planting them in marbles!
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Which can be done.
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Hmmm. Did you even bother to search the site? I wonder how many times we've been asked this question.
bonsairxmd
Shohin
It's ok. Keeps the forum going and spurs interest with newcomers. Searching isn't interacting with fellow bonsai people.
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Well, to each his own. I'm not wild about jawing with someone who is too lazy to help himself.
iMuse
Sapling
quietobserver
Omono
Surprised he kept it together as long as he did living with THAT crew
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
I use two or tree different mixes depending on species, pot placement outdoors, etc...
Pumice(dry stall) and Pine Horse Bedding can be used for most anything IF you can keep it watered, over fertilized and want inorganic. You can dress the top of it with anything if you do not like the way it looks...
For conifers and Azalea I have been using Topsoil and Peat Moss because they seem to do best here in damp(not wet) substrate. I always use an inch or so of Dry Stall in the bottom of those reducing the weight and ensuring drainage.
For freshly collected plants I normally mix topsoil and pumice 50/50 and slip the root I decide to keep with the original soil on them as not to disturb them(except Azalea and Conifers). It helps lighten the whole container weight wise and promotes good drainage as well as allowing the new roots to grow easily. Even then my recent yew is over 200 pounds but would have been a lot more without pumice and the compaction of straight soil would not allow for good recovery.
For most Bush/Shrub types I normally go with equal parts of topsoil, pumice, and horse bedding. I water them a lot like the trees but Fertilize much less(as little as once a season).
That is overall what works for me and my time schedule. You will notice I don't use the expensive stuff as I don't see a need for it. Many do and have great results but I am sharing what I do. For the record we generally refer to it as substrate
I also shared them noting you are in college and by any standard those ingredients are very inexpensive. Dry Stall(pumice) at the local Agway is 20USD for 40 pounds. A compressed package of Pine horse Bedding is 5-6 USD. Decent grade topsoil is 2USD for 40 pounds. One bag each would probably last someone new 3 years easy.Welcome to the Journey
Grimmy
klosi
Shohin
Any newcomer, as myself, usually starts at soil. This shi* is so confusing for newbies! At least I was (still am) this way. So hard to tell what is difference between that and that, what happens if I put in soil X ingredient. What do you use? is one of the most common questions. Soil is confuisng.
My advice... Don't complicate too much. It basically almost does not matter. It should have some good bonsai soil qualities like, water retentive, the water must leave the pot as soons as you por it in (my english is very bad so I can't remember the word), it has to let in air, it should be inorganic ...
Try it yourself, almost every master and those who think that are masters have their own perfect soil mix, and even though they have the same trees they have different soils and they all believe their soil mix is the best. And it really may be that way. Discover your own perfect soil mix and use it
My advice... Don't complicate too much. It basically almost does not matter. It should have some good bonsai soil qualities like, water retentive, the water must leave the pot as soons as you por it in (my english is very bad so I can't remember the word), it has to let in air, it should be inorganic ...
Try it yourself, almost every master and those who think that are masters have their own perfect soil mix, and even though they have the same trees they have different soils and they all believe their soil mix is the best. And it really may be that way. Discover your own perfect soil mix and use it
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Which, all by its lonesome, should tell you that soil is ONLY a personal preference. Most (if not all) trees will grow in any kind of substrate id their other needs are met.
As for not being able to search on the phone, I wouldn't know, but obviously you can read the site and we DO have a soil forum, so your excuse holds little water (like our ideal soil mix).
iMuse
Sapling
I'm not a newbie, I'm just not sure what bonsai root systems prefer. I use a pumice /pine bark/vermiculite blend for my research.
