I read with interest the wealth of information shared on this site and even though my ideas pale into insignificance, thought I would share the Bonsai mix I have used for the past 6 years with success.
It probably has more relevance to those living from Sydney to Port Macquarie in terms of the source of materials, anyway here goes….
Typically I use the same potting mix for the majority of treest (except I use Akadama for Azaleas).
Depending on the plant I may mix a little more organic material, but by and large I do this at the time of potting and use the same basic material described below.
• 3 part potting mix
• 2 part rough gravel 3mm (1/8”)
• 1 part Zeolite (circa 3mm)
• A couple of handfuls of Dynamic lifter
I typically buy 6 – 7 bags of each gravel and potting mix and then mix it with a stash of zeolite which my father and I squirreled away from a previous visit to Castle Mountain Zeolite.
Normally I borrow a neighbour’s portable cement mixer which makes mixing so much easier and quicker.
Typically I add the elements one bucket at a time to ensure the components mix evenly and more quickly. I then simply store the mix in 44 gallon plastic drums until I need it.
If you are over zealous (as I was several years ago), you can buy all of the components by the ½ tip truck load, but you better have a lot of friends to give the mixture away to
Each element can be bought in about 20 – 30 Litre bags so it is easy to put them in the boot of your car. I purchase each element from:
Potting Mix
Parkers Landscape Supplies & Nursery
32 High St
Maitland NSW
Tel 02 4934 1814
Any top quality potting mix could be used, but I find this to be better than most I have found
ZeoliteCastle Mountain Zeolite
Station St
Quirindi NSW
Tel 02 6746 3555
http://www.cmzeolites.com.au
Gravel
Specialised Gravel Services
75 Lenaghan’s Drive
Black Hill NSW
(near the end of the free way from Sydney to Newcastle)
Ph 02 4930 3166
http://www.specialisedgravel.com.au
If you have the patience and the temperament, you will find that the mix is extremely economically priced and in particular you have the ability to control your mix to your own personal preference.
Anyway, hope this is of assistance or interest to some
Regards
Steve
