Best place to purchase soil online in Canada?

[jaymobonsai]

Can anyone recommend a place to purchase soil online in Canada?

 

[amkhalid]

Can anyone recommend a place to purchase soil online in Canada?

Sorry, wish I could be more help. If there is no bonsai club in your area I guess you are kinda on your own. No matter where you get it it will be expensive because of shipping.

Have you exhausted all local resources? Chicken grit (farm supply stores) and diatomaceous earth (napa autoparts and some hydroponic stores) are suitable bases for homemade bonsai soil recipes. Maybe you could start there?

If you are set on ordering a specialty bonsai soil online, expect the shipping to cost more than the soil.

Cheers

 

[elroy]

You can find Turface MVP (calcined clay) at

MARITIME TURF SUPPLIES LTD
Fredericton
(506) 454-7333

to go with the chicken grit. I also add composted pine mulch from a garden centre.

Elroy

 

[monza]

There you go problem solved. Chicken grit is available at farm feed stores, do you have UFA's out east?

Any one know where to get small bonsai sized lava or pumice? The only stuff I can find is the super large ugly rock pieces for landscape ground cover.

 

[wireme]

Dave, try to find a landscaping depot that sells lava pebbles in bulk, a bin in the yard where the pebbles are sold by the loader bucket into landscaping companies trailers. Then talk to management and ask if you can sift out of that pile. There's usually enough small stuff in there that its not too big a job. As for pumice I think the only mines in Canada are around Pemberton. A friend of mine had a bulk shipment in to use as substrate for a green roof. I might make a similar order next year, ill let you know.
Jay, if you let the forum know if you're growing trees indoor or out, what species your trying and where you live you'll probably get all sorts of suggestions on mixes you can make yourself.

Mp

 

[monza]

Good idea wireme, I know exactly where I'll head and try that sifting technique.
thanks

 

[twarawa]

It seems to be difficult to get some of these products in Canada. Search the Turface website for dealers. I found some diatomaceous earth at princess auto (if you have any in NB) but haven't gone to see it yet.

I too wish we had some suitable lava rock in Alberta. I found some in Saskatoon in bulk at a place called Allen's Nursery but haven't been out that way yet.

Tyler

 

[monza]

You can get Turface in Calgary at a few places, let me know if you'd like the names.

 

[jaymobonsai]

Thanks to everyone for the info. I'll try sourcing some of these products locally this week to see what I can find.