@EPM ,
compost is screened - [ ] mesh size.
Aged for a year is a 1/2 55 US gal. black barrel, kept moist so
weed seeds can germinate and die.
Just moist, so nothing is washed away.
compost is re-screened - [ ] mesh size for use.
Inorganic is 5 mm and though irregular in shape, closer to rounded.
Mixed at 7 to 9 parts inorganic and 3 to 1 part organic [ by little garden spade ]
When first watered in the pot, there is a very little organic material
washed out, you have to look for it.
Mature compost is supposed to produce glues [ listed as natural acrylics ]
so it probably does not move,, sticks to whatever is around it.
Not clogging and the mix remains mixed.
As compost ages, it glues itself into a similar size with regards to
the inorganic - 5 mm spheres.
As spheres, the material is now inorganic, but still has the ability to hold
water and fertiliser.
You would have to test in your climate for how long this takes.
On my side { Tropics ] it is one to two years.
All we have done here is mimic what happens in nature, as
leaf mold decays and enters a stony soil.
********
Please note - peat moss has to further decay to become
compost, a friend on your side says it takes 6 months indoors.
This might be where the clogging happens ---------- no glues.
*********************
What may have happened as it is with word of mouth education [ rote ],
someone mixed up peat moss/ bark with compost.
My compost information comes from an article in Rodale,
back in the 80's, from Estonia - I believe a zone 4.
So this may not be dismiss-able as -------- Tropical only.
The idea was ---- no ploughing needed.
Have repeated the idea above with glass marbles 12 mm,
hand rolled fired porous clay spheres 8 mm, 16 mm hydroponic
pebbles and 3 mm glass spheres.
With compost.
Same results, save some of the marbles did chemically decay
and release alkali's which messed with the acid loving trees.
As usual test ideas on expendable cuttings.
Please note we also used glazed porous pottery, porous pottery
and stoneware or porcelain.
Hope this helps.
Good Day
Anthony
Fukien tea - 1 year later - due for repot
View attachment 200242
enlarged view of soil mix -
View attachment 200243