soil help (types of soil and improvers)

[tarian]

AKADAMA:- a clay like soil. can retain its granular structure for sevral years most used and probably best for most trees

KANUMA:- a soft pumice based soil sepially mined for the cultivation of azaleas as it is an asidic soil

SIFTED PEAT:- NOT ENVIROMENTALLY FRIENDLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BUT an excellent organic ingredient

HORTICULTURAL GRIT:-great for maintaining an open soil and good drainage

SOIL IMPROVERS
(GRIT is probably 1)

ORCHID-GROWER'S BARK:-long lasting ideal sized particles with little (if any wastage)

PUMICE:-a naturally occuring soil improver which retains moisture (handy for people who cant keep up on watering times or in summer) while keeping the soil open for free-drainging

[ynot]

Tarian,

:EDITED: [I was a bit gruff in my previous replies, My apologies.]

SIFTED PEAT:- NOT ENVIROMENTALLY FRIENDLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BUT an excellent organic ingredient

There is a lot of confusion about this actually.

Personally, I don't use peat moss at all as due to its small particle size it is difficult to wet, compacts easily and stays far too wet for far too long for my tastes.

I have used long fiber Sphagnum moss as an organic component though I mostly use pine bark.

ynot

[tarian]

thanks

[ynot]

thanks

lol...Uh, I was asking for some clarification from you.

Your first post is a bit bare don't you agree?

Could you expand on it a bit? What you use, The benefits etc...

It seems I do nothing else but rattle on about soil around here.

ynot

[Gnome]

Tarian,

I commend you for taking the initiative on getting some information out, thanks. I would like to add a few items to your list, perhaps others can as well.

1. Turface MVP, is is fired clay product that is intended primarily for sports applications but is ideal for use with bonsai. The 'MVP' moniker simply designates the grade/size of the product. The parent company of this product, distributes various products under various names. Many of which have been used as bonsai components.

2. Haydite, is an expanded shale material. I believe its intended application is for construction and is available in various grades as well.

3. Lava rock, the familiar material that is seen as a landscape product in almost any home center/box store. The problem is locating it in the proper size. I have read that some have located the proper size locally but I never have. I am limited to either buying by mail order, something I try to avoid for obvious reasons, or sizing it myself.

4. Perlite, an expanded mineral that resembles Styrofoam beads is available everywhere and is effective if not particularly attractive.

I have used all of these products at one time or another. May I suggest that others look into these components before going to the expense of shipping in expensive imported soil components such as Akadama or Kanuma. Many growers do just fine with local products that can be obtained in bulk at much less expense. By the way all of these materials need to be sieved to remove the fines that should not be included in your soil.

Norm

[tarian]

sorry i replyed so late my internet was down and my mam was pesterig me for the computer when you asked me most off the qustions and when i was typing info of the soils

[tarian]

by the way i will post more pics of my yamis when i come home from france




thanks soo much to GNOM & YNOT
THE MOST HELPFUL PEOPLE
IN ALL OF THE BONSAI FORUMS I HAVE
JOINED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Gnome]

Tarian,

thanks soo much to GNOM & YNOT
THE MOST HELPFUL PEOPLE
IN ALL OF THE BONSAI FORUMS I HAVE
JOINED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Thank you for saying so, I'm sure I speak for Ynot as well when I say that it is greatly appreciated. Please continue to post as you are able.

Norm

[ynot]

thanks soo much to GNOM & YNOT
THE MOST HELPFUL PEOPLE
IN ALL OF THE BONSAI FORUMS I HAVE
JOINED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Tarian,

Indeed, Thank you.

I hope Gnome doesn't mind if I post a picture of him:



Here is one of me as well:




ynot