Anyone use "The Bonsai Supply" soil?

[Scrogdor]

Just bought https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Drai...08CVMMVK7/ref=psdc_3752881_t2_B00RANT7ZE?th=1 which is Equal parts Pine bark, Lava rock, Pumice and Calcinated clay. Curious if anyone has any experience with it, When I water my bonsai in this stuff they still feel so dry.

 

[coachspinks]

Just bought https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Drai...08CVMMVK7/ref=psdc_3752881_t2_B00RANT7ZE?th=1 which is Equal parts Pine bark, Lava rock, Pumice and Calcinated clay. Curious if anyone has any experience with it, When I water my bonsai in this stuff they still feel so dry.

I have seen it on Amazon but stayed away because of the pine bark. I worry that while it says fast draining it will stay wet. We get hot here but we can also get some very wet weather so I use inorganic mixes.

 

[Scrogdor]

I'm in California bay area so I get morning fog, but it's usually pretty dry here. Not super worried about it staying wet, it's pretty course. More worried about some trees on my balcony that get full sun from 9-4 every day drying out.

 

[coachspinks]

I'm in California bay area so I get morning fog, but it's usually pretty dry here. Not super worried about it staying wet, it's pretty course. More worried about some trees on my balcony that get full sun from 9-4 every day drying out.

I'm lucky that I can water twice a day or more if needed.

 

[Dzhokar]

I bought a bag recently and had to sift the turface out of it because the particle size was so small compared to the rest of the mix.
Other than that I'd say it's decent.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I use a similar mix, pine bark, pumice, hadite which is very well draining. The good thing is it is almost impossible to overwater, the bad thing is it dries oit pretty fast. So I vary the amount of pine bark to compensate with more for plants needing moister soil. Pines get about 10% pine bark, most decids get 20%, water hungry species like bald cypress, hinokis, hemlock, etc. get 30-50%. You can still add more pine bark if their soil is too dry for your trees but at 25% already it sounds like a good general mix. You actually may need to add more pumice or lava for pines and junipers.

 

[QuantumSparky]

I use exclusively BonsaiJack premixes and components. Really great quality and you can just get single components for mixing up individual batches for any given species if they have different soil requirements than most.

 

[Mikecheck123]

I use exclusively BonsaiJack premixes and components. Really great quality and you can just get single components for mixing up individual batches for any given species if they have different soil requirements than most.

I second Bonsai Jack's soil. I used to buy exclusively from American Bonsai, which is good quality as well at a similar price, but the Bonsai Jack mix retains more moisture, which was important when I lived in California. (Now that I'm in VA, I may have to reassess).

 

[QuantumSparky]

I second Bonsai Jack's soil. I used to buy exclusively from American Bonsai, which is good quality as well at a similar price, but the Bonsai Jack mix retains more moisture, which was important when I lived in California. (Now that I'm in VA, I may have to reassess).

I mean BonsaiJack offers a ton of different mixes, I wouldn't say "brand x retains more moisture than brand y" just like how I wouldn't say "Ford cars are faster than Chevy cars" when there are so many different models.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I've my Adenium in it. If there was an issue with rot...it would be toast. I've not had any issues. I've spoken to Adam Lavigne...it isn't his mix. But he didn't have anything bad to say about it. But his also has organics. Florida sees rain...more than I do. I will pot my trees in Adam's mix...because the substrate is larger particles. You can get that at American Bonsai.

 

[Cadillactaste]

A tree that wicks...should show signs of wicking. I water my trees long. Then move on. I allow it to freely drain multiple times...before moving to the next.

Just bought https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Drai...08CVMMVK7/ref=psdc_3752881_t2_B00RANT7ZE?th=1 which is Equal parts Pine bark, Lava rock, Pumice and Calcinated clay. Curious if anyone has any experience with it, When I water my bonsai in this stuff they still feel so dry.

I water my Adenium...and you can tell it's watered. The free draining soil...lift it before...and after. There is a weight difference...if not you aren't watering long enough.

 

[Mikecheck123]

I mean BonsaiJack offers a ton of different mixes, I wouldn't say "brand x retains more moisture than brand y" just like how I wouldn't say "Ford cars are faster than Chevy cars" when there are so many different models.

I know. I elided the gritty details (pun intended). But the point remains.

 

[Arlithrien]

Just bought https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Drai...08CVMMVK7/ref=psdc_3752881_t2_B00RANT7ZE?th=1 which is Equal parts Pine bark, Lava rock, Pumice and Calcinated clay. Curious if anyone has any experience with it, When I water my bonsai in this stuff they still feel so dry.

The components choices are good. The bag in the first picture looks like it has a disproportionate amount of lava rock to what it claims. Can you post some pictures of what your stuff looks like?

 

[jeffapana]

Nowhere does The Bonsai Supply claim that it is equal parts, and it does indeed have a higher proportion of lava and the organic proportion is low. I've used this in Florida, and it drains well enough to put up with our torrential summer rains.

 

[hinmo24t]

i wonder how profitable soil mixes are for some of these people. if shelf life on lava, pumice, clay, perlite, etc. is a long time, mixing up
10 lb bags and selling them for $20 could be genius

a lot of the safety sorb type bags are cheap, cut that into some of these as clay. not sure you can incorporate a brand of oil spill into a soil
mix and resell it though without consent?

 

[Cadillactaste]

i wonder how profitable soil mixes are for some of these people. if shelf life on lava, pumice, clay, perlite, etc. is a long time, mixing up
10 lb bags and selling them for $20 could be genius

a lot of the safety sorb type bags are cheap, cut that into some of these as clay. not sure you can incorporate a brand of oil spill into a soil
mix and resell it though without consent?

Are you claiming they are using oil spill in their mix? Because Jerome is quite reputable in his business. Your comment is insane.

I can handle ones calling me different things. But Jerome is so respected...he has amazing trees as well. Which show his substrate works. You are some fly by night troll to discredit one you know nothing about. I can't stand when ones try and discredit one who is respected in their field.

 

[hinmo24t]

Are you claiming they are using oil spill in their mix? Because Jerome is quite reputable in his business. Your comment is insane.

I can handle ones calling me different things. But Jerome is so respected...he has amazing trees as well. Which show his substrate works. You are some fly by night troll to discredit one you know nothing about. I can't stand when ones try and discredit one who is respected in their field.

i wasnt at all, but thanks for showing us how you translated that

i was asking if people think soil mixes could be extremely profitable, and smart

 

[Cadillactaste]

a lot of the safety sorb type bags are cheap, cut that into some of these as clay. not sure you can incorporate a brand of oil spill into a soil
mix and resell it though without consent?

Posting on a topic of Jerome's substrate mix... please.

I don't come here often but when I do...I won't be seeing your comments again. Because I can't stand ones who can't grow a backbone and back track acting innocent.

 

[hinmo24t]

Posting on a topic of Jerome's substrate mix... please.

I don't come here often but when I do...I won't be seeing your comments again. Because I can't stand ones who can't grow a backbone and back track acting innocent.

once again, thanks for revealing your thought process to us all. seeya

 

[Arlithrien]

Are you claiming they are using oil spill in their mix? Because Jerome is quite reputable in his business. Your comment is insane.

I can handle ones calling me different things. But Jerome is so respected...he has amazing trees as well. Which show his substrate works. You are some fly by night troll to discredit one you know nothing about. I can't stand when ones try and discredit one who is respected in their field.

Posting on a topic of Jerome's substrate mix... please.

I don't come here often but when I do...I won't be seeing your comments again. Because I can't stand ones who can't grow a backbone and back track acting innocent.

Very immature reaction here. No such accusation was made. But you are quick to attack someone for your own perceived offendedness.

Besides, oil dry IS calcinated clay and many use it in their mixes including myself. I'm offended that you associate such a negative connotation on a legitimate source for that substrate. But I won't call you names over it.