clic8991
Sapling
I have been studying bonsai for ~18 months. I often read about substrate composition (well draining, particle size, etc). These topics generally refer to a standard mix of a certain percentage of different components, which will be mixed homogeneously to produce a substrate which is placed into the container with the tree. My question is:
Are There any situations in which the components of the mix are not homogeneous?
I can think of a couple scenarios where this might be appropriate. Most of these thoughts came about from from my initial observation looking at how roots grew in the substrate following my first season of bonsai repotting last spring. My mix consisted of ~50% turface, 25% potting soil, 25% pine bark. What I saw was that often feeder roots had migrated and attached themselves to the large pieces of pine bark, which presumably retain water the longest. While this could be the result of poor watering habits on my part, I thought of a couple situations where this can be useful.
1. Directing the induction of new "surface" roots from the nebari in a particular direction. In this case, Could one place pine bark (or anything relatively water retentive) in the pot at the side of the tree which you wished to develop roots?
2. Similarly in the case of a root over rock style; Could one put a zone of water retentive substrate at the base of where they desired the roots to reach? In this way directing existing roots to extend and clasp the rock, etc.
3. Could beginners, such as myself, place a water retentive zone at the bottom of their training containers to provide a generally well draining soil that still maintained a zone of moisture at the bottom. In this way the substrate composition may be relatively forgiving providing a less stressful to the tree until my watering skills became more consistent.
Does anyone have any insight on this topic or think it is worth experimenting with?
Thanks,
Colin
Are There any situations in which the components of the mix are not homogeneous?
I can think of a couple scenarios where this might be appropriate. Most of these thoughts came about from from my initial observation looking at how roots grew in the substrate following my first season of bonsai repotting last spring. My mix consisted of ~50% turface, 25% potting soil, 25% pine bark. What I saw was that often feeder roots had migrated and attached themselves to the large pieces of pine bark, which presumably retain water the longest. While this could be the result of poor watering habits on my part, I thought of a couple situations where this can be useful.
1. Directing the induction of new "surface" roots from the nebari in a particular direction. In this case, Could one place pine bark (or anything relatively water retentive) in the pot at the side of the tree which you wished to develop roots?
2. Similarly in the case of a root over rock style; Could one put a zone of water retentive substrate at the base of where they desired the roots to reach? In this way directing existing roots to extend and clasp the rock, etc.
3. Could beginners, such as myself, place a water retentive zone at the bottom of their training containers to provide a generally well draining soil that still maintained a zone of moisture at the bottom. In this way the substrate composition may be relatively forgiving providing a less stressful to the tree until my watering skills became more consistent.
Does anyone have any insight on this topic or think it is worth experimenting with?
Thanks,
Colin