experiment ..."neighbor wicking" taking moisture from wetter parts.
This is from the days of my climbing the six major glaciated peaks of WA. Cotton fabric or specifically cotton fiber
absorbs moisture, and until
all the moisture of a cotton garment is dry, it isn't, because of true wicking action. As opposed to the man-made, non absorbant fiber with the advertizing touting its "wicking action". What really happens there is your body heat is able to dry, and keep dry, the fabric next to your skin, thus giving you a real felt sense of warmth, unlike having all wool on except for wet cotton briefs in cold weather, the continued cooling evaporation of cotton can chill you. Your uphill test results will probably give you the truest information. (Example: put the tip, cuff, of a cotton shirtsleve in a glass of water with the rest of the sleve suspended above, the water will wick up and try to spread the dampness throughout). In soil, if you can find a substance that wicks like cotton, you'll have what you're after. ("Can you say shredded cotton balls?") But I digress.
OK "experiments for 2016".
--- My maiden voyage to Bonsai Soil Island - have only used "potting soil" to this point. Now have a bag of pumice with the intention of trying it exclusively. Since my yamadori vine maples are still small (I know, that's still giving them too much credit, right?), there won't be much loss for failure.
--- Going after "real sized" vine maples, 2" - 4" trunks. Just double checked with landowner, got the OK. Let's see, I can get my truck within 10-20 feet of that one, and that one... Have strapping material to tug on the plant, and chain to connect to truck...
--- Testing the pro and con of pulling vs digging vine maple trunks from the earth. (Keeping in mind they sorta grow like weeds in this environment.)
--- Considering replacing the vine maples of "Whimsy" to ones that dish would appreciate more, (and I won't need to wait as long for them to do their thing). But dang, those internodes sure are short, hmmm.
--- And last, will replace the potting soil the Weeping Alaska Cedar strikes are in. Will switch to pumice and coarce sand, I'm guessing 50 - 50? (60 p - 40 sand?)