daniel
Mame
Ok, one last question that I can't find the answer to online. I know most tropicals need very fast draining soils. Does akadama still fit into this, or is there something better for tropicals, specifically?
Daniel
Daniel
Soil Question
- Thread starter daniel
- Start date
shohin kid
Shohin
I have no tropicals, I can't stand them. They're just not my type. I have no idea what soil they go in.
Sorry, shohin kid
Sorry, shohin kid
HotAction
Chumono
Shohin Kid, I've lived in Syracuse, NY my whole life. Except for the 2 years I spent at Saint Louis University. While I was there, everyone kept talking about how humid it was. I still don't know what they were talking about.
-Dave
-Dave
daniel
Mame
Ok, so I've decided to make my own "soil." I'm going to use sphagnum peat moss, akadama and pool filter sand (#3). However, I'm having problems finding the pool filter sand. First, does anyone know of a big box source for this (or an acceptable replacement)? Second, is there an online source that has low shipping costs? Or, is there another medium that I could use as a replacement for the filter sand? I highly doubt that regular contractor's sand will do (which is what I originally picked up). It seems too small to allow free drainage. Thoughts?
Daniel
Daniel
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
#3 Sand blasting sand. #3 sand sold by Quickreet for foundation applications in laying paver stones.
daniel
Mame
Is this somewhat close to pea gravel?
Rick Moquin
Omono
... and the source of this affirmation would be?
daniel
Mame
Well, after talking to several experts (including Erik Wigert) and hearing about problems that several species have with root rot, I took it that fast draining soils were a good thing to have for tropicals...
shohin kid
Shohin
the only problem with the mixed you described is the peatmoss. If you are looking for a fast draining soil, peat is not the way to go. peat, which is extremely hard to water, holds water. you might want to test it out before you go putting some nice trees into it. Now there are people who use peat in there mixes, like Morten Albek, but he uses it because he lives in a dry climate and his soil needs to hold moisture a little longer. I would test it out before you use it, in my experiences, peat doesn't work for me in my climate, which is very humid.
daniel
Mame
Even though I'm looking to use less than 1/3 of the mix as peat moss? Hmm. This is something to consider, as your climate is my climate (Louisville vs St Louis). I'll be using 40-50% akadama, 25-30% peat moss and 25-30% paver base. I thought that the other 70% would make up for the peat moss holding any moisture. Anyone else care to comment?
Last edited:
Maybe talk to a well know person in your area who grows bonsai or a local club. See what soil they use, if it works for them, it will probably work for you. The people in your area know more about soil to use in louisville than I will ever know, their the ones you want to talk to
daniel
Mame
Unfortunately, not too many do deciduous or tropical trees. Only one even uses akadama, so if that tells you much...
I'll ask some guys to see what they have to say. Thanks!
I'll ask some guys to see what they have to say. Thanks!
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
No, it is a very coarse quartz sand but no where near as large as pea gravel.
TheSteve
Chumono
As tropical trees are only outside in the fair weather times of the year, I'm not sure about why there is so much stress about climate. I would worry more about how you're going to make them survive indoors.
daniel
Mame
The Spagnum peat moss is fine when using 1/3. It has anticeptic qualities also, which help reduce the chance of root rot. it also is very "light" and "airy". Plenty of space for Oxygen. Read the studies from the University of California on container soil. It's enlightening. You should be able to Google it.
Bill S
Masterpiece
Just remember that if you use the typical chopped dried out stuff, the best thing you can do is to put it in a bucket ahead of time and soak it, then use it. The dried out stuff is (I think the term is or close to -) hydrophobic, it is quite hard to get it wet it repels water, you will need to soak the stuff or face issues with you tree.
daniel
Mame
Well, I've just mixed up some paver base and the peat moss that was dried out. I rinsed the paver base out, filtered it using water and thus it added quite a bit of water to the mix. It seems to have absorbed water pretty well. I'm going to let it sit for a while before using it on your recommendation. I don't want it doing poopy things to my trees...
