Pro's Choice equivilant to Turface MVP

[Jake]

I completly agree about avoiding the the use of cat litter in the US; which is why I recomended only those in the UK try it. The medium they recomend for US dwellers in that article isn't actucally cat litter (hence my confusing wording "litter-esq" ) but is supposedly similar to ours and good value.

"found a very good akadama substitute in the US; it's called Hi-dri, and you can get a 40 pound bag at Carquest Auto Parts for about 8 bucks"- I couldn't comment on it, but someone on here might know about it

 

[mcpesq817]

As someone with cats here in the US, I would never use kitty litter as part of my soil mix.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

As someone with cats here in the US, I would never use kitty litter as part of my soil mix.

We don't have cats, but I'd suspect using cat litter as bonsai soil is about as good as using akadama in the cat box!!!

 

[milehigh_7]

While the litter may not be any good in the soil, the cats make some darn fine fertilizer. JUST KIDDING!

 

[mcpesq817]

We don't have cats, but I'd suspect using cat litter as bonsai soil is about as good as using akadama in the cat box!!!

LOL good one!

 

[pgstroud@aol.com]

Good product but here's another

I completly agree about avoiding the the use of cat litter in the US; which is why I recomended only those in the UK try it. The medium they recomend for US dwellers in that article isn't actucally cat litter (hence my confusing wording "litter-esq" ) but is supposedly similar to ours and good value.

"found a very good akadama substitute in the US; it's called Hi-dri, and you can get a 40 pound bag at Carquest Auto Parts for about 8 bucks"- I couldn't comment on it, but someone on here might know about it

This product is probably what is available at Napa Auto Parts as "oil dry" which is 100% diatomatious
earth. It works well in bonsai soil since it is fired and wont easily break down.

 

[Swill]

I'm doing a test on Wal~Marts special kitty litter and am only about 36 hours in but it still feels very solid even if I try to crush it with my fingers. Seems to have a very even size as well.

 

[sfhellwig]

Well like every material we find it looks like the good stuff. But only time will tell. Going through 36 hours soak is a very good start. However the component we never know is how high the clay is fired which gives it it's longevity. I think someone else was using a freezer combined with soaking to get a freeze thaw cycle going. I tried Oil-Dri because it was "close enough" but after one winter it crumbled leaving my plants in soil not far from the ground I was keeping them from.

Just don't jump into using this on a nice plant. Put a couple of smaller plants in it and watch them for a year. Then you can consider more.

 

[ml_work]

I cannot locate any Turface local were I live. Contact Ball Field last year and got the number of where they purchase from (no could not get them to allow me to order some with them when they order). I called the number and was told $8.00 per 50lb bag, wow that is great. Shipping is $15.00 per bag...so now I am at $23.00 each. I have continued to look and need to get something for this potting season. I found a bonsai site that sale the Truface for $23.00 / 20lb bag shipping included and it has been screened.
From what I have read here I will loose 1/3 to 1/2 of my 50lb bag when screened. This is getting close to $23.00 per 20lb and no screening. But it is also getting close to the akadama, which seems to be to best.
Just my thought,
Michael

 

[Dav4]

I've never lost more then 10% of my turface when screening. Just my experience having screened approx. 7-8 bags over the last 6 years.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Was this sifted? And does it say what it contains...bentonite? Glad you're testing; it's a good first step...keep tracking results!

 

[jk_lewis]

Turface dealers in Alabama: http://www.turface.com/distributors/state/

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Turface dealers in Alabama: http://www.turface.com/distributors/state/

Nice...subtle! I've got my Turface connection in Alabama; but was just curious about the product.
More important is actually avoiding Wal-Mart...6 years and counting...

 

[Swill]

Just don't jump into using this on a nice plant. Put a couple of smaller plants in it and watch them for a year. Then you can consider more.

My secret is just not having any nice plants.

Was this sifted? And does it say what it contains...bentonite? Glad you're testing; it's a good first step...keep tracking results!

I think this is directed at me. It wasn't sifted, just grabbed a handful from the top. It doesn't say anything except natural ground clay manufactured in Bentonville, AR.

I was interested in trying Turface mvp but my local John Deer landscaping could only find a little turface pro league gray in the back after a bit of digging and they wanted $33 for the bag. Seemed a bit pricey and I was worried about sifting a lot of it away to boot.

 

[pgstroud@aol.com]

I completly agree about avoiding the the use of cat litter in the US; which is why I recomended only those in the UK try it. The medium they recomend for US dwellers in that article isn't actucally cat litter (hence my confusing wording "litter-esq" ) but is supposedly similar to ours and good value.

"found a very good akadama substitute in the US; it's called Hi-dri, and you can get a 40 pound bag at Carquest Auto Parts for about 8 bucks"- I couldn't comment on it, but someone on here might know about it

The oil dry is good to use as a component in bonsai soil mix. NAPA Auto Parts as well as others might sell it. Just make sure it is diatomatious earth which is what it is composed of & there are no additional additives.

 

[crust]

I've never lost more then 10% of my turface when screening. Just my experience having screened approx. 7-8 bags over the last 6 years.

how fine do you screen?

 

[Smoke]

This is from the May/June 2010 Golden Statements

"Glenn Van Winkle has become well known in bonsai circles as both a propagator and as the man responsible for the introduction of California’s first indigenous bonsai soil. Glenn started by breaking the California hard pan by hand with a large hammer. As professional bonsai practitioners used this
soil, the need for larger quantities became necessary. Glenn purchased a rock crusher and began large scale production of his crushed hardpan affectionately named Cali-Dama. The hardpan has found its way across the United States via people like Dan Robinson and Ted Matson, and is now stocked by most bonsai nurseries in California."

I did a Google search for this but was unable to find a source that sells it. Does anyone know an easy way to order it?

Jeff

Gee..I wonder who wrote that article?

 

[milehigh_7]

Turface MVP

If you need a source for MVP check Ewing Irrigation http://www.ewing1.com/cgi/ewz_loc_branchlocator.php

$13 for a 50 pound bag.

 

[linlaoboo]

This is the stuff I started using. Got it from Agway for $20. It's product description says Turface MVP however the bag says Profield. See link below. Can anyone confirm it's good?

http://agway.com/catalog/home_and_g...l_conditioners/10202744_turface_mvp_50lb.html