Soil Alternatives-Post them up

[It's Kev]

@Anthony
I'm just goofing with the Duranta, something to play with while I wait for winter to pass.
P.S. the big winter hit with full force yesterday, about as cold as my first winter here, nights are dropping close to zero.

 

[rockm]

Back in South Africa when I had my big aquarium, I used pool filter sand as substrate. But it was a while back and I've forgotten what the consistency of it was like. Is there anyone using it to plant their trees in?

May depend on where you live, but here in Va. swimming pool filter sand is crushed quartz. Very nice soil component--grains tend to be bigger than sand and won't compact. It is mostly stark white in color, which some people find difficult to deal with visually. I have used pool filter sand for years in my soil mixes.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mystic-White-II-Swimming-Pool-Filter-Sand-50lb-Bag/44578380

 

[rockm]

The past few years I've been using Permatill, which is expanded slate. I'm not sure I'm liking it...

Permatill is too coarse. I stopped using it years ago. Nice material, but grains aren't small enough.

 

[jeanluc83]

I use a product called Dry Stall. It is 100% pumice. I got a couple of bags at a local Agway a couple of years ago for about $17 a bag. The only real down side is the particle size is a little small. It needs to be sifted but fines were only about 10-15% of the bag. I have used it with ~15% fir bark for my pines. It works great.

 

[Vance Wood]

Back in South Africa when I had my big aquarium, I used pool filter sand as substrate. But it was a while back and I've forgotten what the consistency of it was like. Is there anyone using it to plant their trees in?

I used to use it but that market has changed and it only available in the finest grades if you can find it at all, #2 and #3 were my preferences and they have become difficult to find.

 

[Anthony]

@kevinlovett86 ,

remember, as friends, I can tease you.
Merry Christmas
Anthony

* Hey if your girlfriend is Chinese, and you get married.
Your children will be me's ----------- half white / half Chinese
Boy are you in for imaginative trouble.

 

[It's Kev]

@Anthony
I was gonna make a comment along those lines. She's more Chinese than you and she drinks coffee, so i can take my photos with a coffee mug for scale if beer isn't your thing.
Everybody here has been badgering us about when will they see mixed babies.

 

[cbroad]

@jeanluc83
Southern States used to carry it in my area, now they carry Stall Dry which is DE and clay... They said they could order Dry Stall for me but I'd have to buy a whole pallet

 

[cbroad]

Double post...

 

[jeanluc83]

@jeanluc83
Southern States used to carry it in my area, now they carry Stall Dry which is DE and clay... They said they could order Dry Stall for me but I'd have to buy a whole pallet

I have been told that some Agway's have stopped carrying it also. It has been about 2 years since I purchased any so I'm not sure if that true in my area.

It might be worth organizing a group buy in your area. I would find another source for pumice over Dry Stall. It is good if it is available but if you have to order it I would look for other suppliers.

Has anyone used Beam Clay products? It looks like their calcined clay is a bit on the small side, on par with turface. Their 1/4 lava rock looks like a good price though.

 

[cbroad]

I just need to join my local Bonsai group, been meaning to for a while. Just super busy, especially spring and fall... I know a lot of the people in it from working at a big nursery and greenhouse, they sell pre mixed soil but you have to be a member, I could probably still buy some but that's not fair to the other members...

 

[BonsaiFurLife]

First photo is permatill. The mid size stalite and the quikrete in that order. Second photo is the three stalite products. My "mix

 

[BonsaiFurLife]

My mix years ago was leaf compost perlite and permatil. Ive sort of fell of the bonsai wagon for a few years but am getting back into it. Life happens. But the new mix is less compost and more agregates. I wasnt able to water daily so i wanted a mix that would retain more moisture.

 

[drew33998]

Bunk.

Some more bunk.

You're an Oil Dry Lady of the Night!

 

[drew33998]

Bunk.

Some more bunk.

I should have qualified for bonsai pots. Grow pots I have no problem with

 

[Vance Wood]

I use a product called Dry Stall. It is 100% pumice. I got a couple of bags at a local Agway a couple of years ago for about $17 a bag. The only real down side is the particle size is a little small. It needs to be sifted but fines were only about 10-15% of the bag. I have used it with ~15% fir bark for my pines. It works great.

Not available every where, I have searched for it in several states.. I came close a couple of years ago when I found something used now that is more calcined clay.

 

[cbroad]

@Vance Wood
Is that the Stall Dry product?

 

[Vance Wood]

@Vance Wood
Is that the Stall Dry product?

Yes, it is not available in Michigan, or Iowa in the places I have looked. You; living in horse raising country, would probably have a different outcome.

 

[Michael P]

At the risk of inviting scorn and derision, here are my three soil components:

1. Safe-T-Sorb from Tractor supply. This is a low fired Fuller's earth, a.k.a. montmorillonite clay. It has great water retention, high cation exchange capacity, and does not break down in my normal one to three year repotting cycle. Very useful for small pots and species that prefer more moisture.
2. Expanded shale. Good for larger pots and species that like free drainage.
3. Coarse home-made compost.

Proportions vary with species and size of pot, but the inorganics are never less than 50% and usually much more. These ingredients have worked well for me for many years in my climate with hot, dry summers and relatively mild winters, zone 8a.

 

[cbroad]

@Vance Wood
Yeah you would think so but all I can find is Stall Dry... A buyer at the greenhouse also keeps and shows horses and I had her on the lookout for a while but to no avail...