It was 64 degrees in February, so I did the unthinkable...

Adair M

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I sifted soil components!

4C506C17-B4C4-42D8-B4E3-E1783DBC8E1E.jpeg

Ugh! This the least fun job in bonsai. I was able to make batches of 3 sizes: large, medium and small.

I have too much large, and too much small. I will have to make another set of batches so that I will have enough medium.

And, unfortunately, a lot of the gross is waste as it’s too fine to use.
 

Ohmy222

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agree I hate this. May try some Aoki mix since I can't find Akadama yet this winter for under $50-$60 a bag. Seems an online shortage of Akadama. I got spoiled by my $35-$40 bags from Superfly bonsai.
 

Paradox

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No soil sifting for me here yet. Its 30 degrees and there is six inches of snow on the ground.
I do it on a nice warm day, afternoon usually and have a few of these to keep my mind off it

beermug.jpg

In a bottle of course cause it helps keep the dust out of the beer!
 

MrWunderful

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Get yourself a folding table and work at a proper height to save your back!

And I am going to pick up a few bags of aoki mix and akadama hopefully monday, even though most of my repotting is done already :p
 

JoeR

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agree I hate this. May try some Aoki mix since I can't find Akadama yet this winter for under $50-$60 a bag. Seems an online shortage of Akadama. I got spoiled by my $35-$40 bags from Superfly bonsai.
Bonsai learning center in NC has akadama for that price, but after shipping may end up the same as you mentioned
 

Deep Sea Diver

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Sifting can be kinda a zen event... if you have enough time to relax and enjoy the moment.

Otherwise it’s chug and go!

cheers
DSD sends
 

cwilhelm

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Ugh! This the least fun job in bonsai.

It's not too bad! I find it pretty therapeutic, although I might just be eager to do something outside. My wife probably thought I was a bit crazy hanging out in the 40 degree weather this weekend for several hours, hidden in a cloud of pumice dust. Good thing for n95 masks!

I have too much large, and too much small.

I've taken to putting the large grains in a bag and pounding them with a hammer or cinder block in an attempt to end up with medium grains. They seem to skip straight past "medium" and "small" to "inhalation hazard" sized though 😅
 

Cadillactaste

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Ive never ever sifted soil😊
The year I was curious and sifted...was a huge upping my game on how my trees behaved. Healthier...then repotting following sieving... I can't imagine not doing it. Huge difference...

But, I remember...saying the same thing years back. Once one sieves...you can't go back to no longer not doing it. I will say that.
 

Colorado

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I tend to do it per tree as I repot each one. That way I get the blend each tree is best with, and it's less painful that way at least for me.

I was thinking about posting in this thread ... but now that I know Judy uses the same technique, I DEFINITELY have to chime in 😃

I just sift tree by tree. Get the blend just right for each tree and container combo. Easy peasy.
 

leatherback

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Lol, so many different routes. I re-purpose my substrate. Which means that at repotting time I have a few 10 gallon containers on standby, where I dump the old substrate. Come nice spring/summer weather these get sun-baked. once dry, I sift and put in storage bins.
 

Cadillactaste

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I tend to do it per tree as I repot each one. That way I get the blend each tree is best with, and it's less painful that way at least for me.
I tend...to only do what I need of a specific blend for what I'm potting at the time too. But, unlike you...I buy blended mix so it's even less work. I hate sieving...but I can't just not. Not after seeing the benefits of it. I was hoping I would see it as therapeutic...but alas...not so much. I'm glad other's find it about as much fun as I do.
 
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