type of clay to use for slabs

[dick benbow]

It seems I always have to have a project going, so today I'm off to a pottery shop that carries clay to learn which type is best to use for our purpose in bonsai.
I have a maple forest on a slab that needs repotting this winter/spring so i need to procure the proper type.
So i'm hopeful to get a knowledgeable person that i can share notes with to get the best results.
basically for those who have not ventured into slabs yet, this flat piece of stone provides the Look...and clay is used to form a dike in which the soil media is retained. it usually circles away from the edge by a coupla inches. After the slab and trees are stabilized the clay dike and soil is usally mosed over to give it that natural look.

The clay need will need to adhere to the stone and yet not crack. I also need to make some drainage holes so the water can run out like it does a pot.

I'll share what I learned from the shop but anyone who has this down....would appreciate hearing from.

 

[bonsaibp]

I mix shredded spagnum moss with adobe clay soil ( which is what a lot of the soil here is) grind and mix them together then add water to the desired consistency. I never bother with drainage holes in the clay drainage has never been an issue for me with a slab. I'd be interested in a commerical clay that can do the same thing

 

[rockm]

This ain't really that complicated .

I've used clay from a creek bed mixed with chopped sphagnum moss. I've also used modeler's clay mixed with moss. Don't really need drain holes, water finds its own way out...

 

[stacy allen muse]

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