Weird question about broken pots.

[Attmos]

As I've been looking at, and learning about, different soils and their characteristics... I learned that there are Fired Pottery Clay Pellets available that people use like Diatomaceous Earth (DE).

Made me wonder if anyone recycles broken pots into usable soil. Seems like it would work fine but for some reason, I'm betting that it's more work than a person would want to put into making what you can just buy.

I wonder if the sharp broken glass glaze would work similarly to pumice in encouraging roots to split.

Anyway, any thoughts on this?

 

[Russ1]

Broken, crushed brick has been used in various potting soils.
Too much work unless your young, broke and time on your hands.
I tried it for one pot, also tried crushing lava. Ok for a small pot as an experiment but as i said above.

 

[Attmos]

Broken, crushed brick has been used in various potting soils.
Too much work unless your young, broke and time on your hands.
I tried it for one pot, also tried crushing lava. Ok for a small pot as an experiment but as i said above.

Not quite broke, not quite young, but lots of time on my hands. lol

 

[Attmos]

Broken, crushed brick has been used in various potting soils.
Too much work unless your young, broke and time on your hands.
I tried it for one pot, also tried crushing lava. Ok for a small pot as an experiment but as i said above.

I was just reading that Turface is basically the same thing as the fired clay pellets I mentioned, and people here don't seem to like it much so.....

Waste of a post all around I guess.

 

[Russ1]

I was just reading that Turface is basically the same thing as the fired clay pellets I mentioned, and people here don't seem to like it much so.....

I still use it in some mixes but usually not more than 15%, i have used at 100% to grow a Shimpaku in for a long time.

 

[Baron von Smoogle]

I was just reading that Turface is basically the same thing as the fired clay pellets I mentioned, and people here don't seem to like it much so.....

Waste of a post all around I guess.

I've used it for about 20 years now. I've great success getting fine roots with it. I have started adding lava and pumice to the mix now. Some of my trees are in 100% Turface, some have no Turface at all. If I am trying to grow fine feeder roots I use much more of it.

 

[rockm]

I was just reading that Turface is basically the same thing as the fired clay pellets I mentioned, and people here don't seem to like it much so.....

Waste of a post all around I guess.

It’s not the same thing. It’s hugely variable depending on sources. It’s regionally made. It can be a decent soil ingredient (turface MVP) but it also turn to mush in a couple of seasons depending on weather.

If you want an equivalent crushed brick is more in line. It is sold as a filler for garden paths etc. it doesn’t break down and is porous with interior spaces as well. A bag has to be sifted and you lose more than 50 percent or more. It’s nice but a pain to work with. It’s also not reliable with a an availability. Sources can dry up.

 

[Russ1]

It can be a decent soil ingredient (turface MVP) but it also turn to mush in a couple of seasons depending on weather.

The Turface i have been using has never broken down for me.. Five years later it still holds up. I bought it so long ago I can't remember exactly which version it was, not MVP. Terrageen does and Safe-T-Sorb does break down, both are similar to Turface but not as high fired. I have a Spruce I re-potted in 100% Safe-T-Sorb as a test a few years ago and although it Looks very green and lush compared to it's twin in another mix by the second year it was muddy but the Spruce seems to like it.

 

[rockm]

The Turface i have been using has never broken down for me.. Five years later it still holds up. I bought it so long ago I can't remember exactly which version it was, not MVP. Terrageen does and Safe-T-Sorb does break down, both are similar to Turface but not as high fired. I have a Spruce I re-potted in 100% Safe-T-Sorb as a test a few years ago and although it Looks very green and lush compared to it's twin in another mix by the second year it was muddy but the Spruce seems to like it.

I used turface for years. Some batches would last years. Others broke down in two. Count yourself lucky coy. You got a good batch. High fired double red line akadama lasts too if you can find it and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg

Fwiw I stopped mixing my own soil. Too much variability availability and too much storage space required for the bulk ingredients. I found a reliable knowledgeable bulk bonsai soil supplier near me to replace the hassles.

 

[Attmos]

I used turface for years. Some batches would last years. Others broke down in two. Count yourself lucky coy. You got a good batch. High fired double red line akadama lasts too if you can find it and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg

Fwiw I stopped mixing my own soil. Too much variability availability and too much storage space required for the bulk ingredients. I found a reliable knowledgeable bulk bonsai soil supplier near me to replace the hassles.

I saw other brands that I think use different but consistent material.