chop large pine mulch into a usable substrate, can it be done?

[barrosinc]

to start off, I can't buy the small stuff you guys can.

Here is what I can buy:
http://www.easy.cl/easy/ProductDisp...d_cat=3032&tpCa=0&caN0=0&caN1=0&caN2=0&caN3=0

Has anyone used stuff like this? Is it doable?

What would I need to chop this down?

 

[Poink88]

I'd go and check other "soil conditioner" before I waste my time chopping these.

Also check/sample potting soils...some of the ones here use composted pine bark and I use those (sifted Miracle Grow potting soil) a lot.

Good luck with the search!

 

[barrosinc]

is this the right size?
I found this pic online.

 

[M. Frary]

Eureka! That's it.
You know you really don't need to use bark in your mix at all.

 

[barrosinc]

It is for azaleas actually, and I do not have kanuma.

 

[M. Frary]

Aahhhh......

 

[Poink88]

is this the right size?
I found this pic online.

That looks good, just sift it. I use window screen and retain about 80% but most will tell you to go bigger. Regardless, you will probably get more than 50% from that.

 

[barrosinc]

That looks good, just sift it. I use window screen and retain about 80% but most will tell you to go bigger. Regardless, you will probably get more than 50% from that.

I found that online in the USA... I sent that to my substrate provider
Let´s see what he can do.

 

[GrimLore]

You could try the kitchen blender or food processor - It might work out well...

Grimmy

 

[Poink88]

You could try the kitchen blender or food processor - It might work out well...

Grimmy

Food processor w/ top chopping blade may work but I won't use the blender. Note that bark is much tougher than most vegetables so you might end up burning your motor. Not worth it IMHO.

 

[barrosinc]

Yeah... I don't think I am putting this stuff in a blender... would end up probably way more expensive than importing kanuma XD

 

[M. Frary]

You could try the kitchen blender or food processor - It might work out well...

Grimmy

Even though it may tear up the blender it would probably be a blast.

 

[barrosinc]

but... will it blend?

 

[Eric Group]

How far along are these Azaleas? Just use sphagnum peat moss with some Pearlite- or find "Pro Mix" online some where that you can import. Peat moss is very acidic, which azaleas love, and it drains pretty well, dries out as fast as most aggregate mixes and should produce wonderful results as long as you are in "development" stage. Once you start really potting the trees down to smaller pots to develop roots for a bonsai tray, you can start worrying more about having a good mix of aggregate, bark... While developing the trees you will probably get your best results with regular old miracle Grow potting soil or Pro Mix- both of which are basically Sphagnum Peat Moss with a little Pearlite and some nutrients... Don't over complicate things until you have to man!

 

[barrosinc]

Thanks Eric! if I don't find any, I will do just that. I have nice peat moss from a producer and not home store, and lot of perlite and pumice.

 

[Poink88]

Thanks Eric! if I don't find any, I will do just that. I have nice peat moss from a producer and not home store, and lot of perlite and pumice.

Peat moss will work but it is not good. Better use chopped sphagnum moss.

I would use regular potting soil over peat moss.

 

[barrosinc]

how small do I have to chop the sphagnum moss?

 

[Paradox]

is this the right size?
I found this pic online.

This looks very much like what I use. I first sift it on a 1/4 inch screen to seperate the larger pieces. I hand pick out the very large shreds of wood and use the rest retained on the screen for larger trees that like dryer conditions (pines, junipers) I sift what goes through the 1/4 on a 1/8 inch screen and use the stuff retained on that for smaller trees or trees that like a bit more moisture. The last amount I sift on a 1/16 inch screen and use the stuff retained on that for small shohin trees. The rest is just dust that I discard.

 

[barrosinc]

This looks very much like what I use. I first sift it on a 1/4 inch screen to seperate the larger pieces. I hand pick out the very large shreds of wood and use the rest retained on the screen for larger trees that like dryer conditions (pines, junipers) I sift what goes through the 1/4 on a 1/8 inch screen and use the stuff retained on that for smaller trees or trees that like a bit more moisture. The last amount I sift on a 1/16 inch screen and use the stuff retained on that for small shohin trees. The rest is just dust that I discard.

I found this in the USA... trying to get some of this here.
I have a friend who works for a pine sawmill company... I hope he can get me some.

 

[ABCarve]

I have a leaf & stick mulcher that I've run it through. I thought it worked OK. If it's not small enough run it thru again.