Massive change in climate conditions

[Fish]

well, should keep you on your toes for a while....

hey trying to find info on ?? poinsianna ??? think that is not how you spell it, but you get the idea. Have you heard or done a bonsai of this type

[rch003]

Funny you say that, we have 2 in our back yard and there are about 50 in buderim, look beautiful, i really want to do one, no idea how to get one though

[Fish]

sweet, send one up will ya... We got thousands here, looking at just collecting a sprout from under an existing, see how it turns out. Pitty I cant send you one, electric and fire ants around here.
Fish

[rch003]

electric ants? :/

[Fish]

nasty little buggers, sting like all S***, burns for a while, and even when having a shower, ouch, welts up for days. I have just moved into this house and already I have Biosecurity Queensland coming for a visit. Welcome to the neighbourhood..

Fish

[Glenda]

Poinciana tree - Delonix regia is its proper name. There are some guys here who bonsai Jacaranda's which I think are a cousin to the Poinciana.

Glenda

[Taffy]

RC, I wouldn't be using any local dirt or clay with your trees. There are a lot of pathogens in dirt that won't do your trees a lot of good. On top of that, clay will hold and retain a lot of water. Bonsai need a free draining mix, clay in any amount won't give you that. I'd also watch the use of water granules as well. They hold large quantities of water and if there are a lot of them they can turn your mix into a nasty 'glug'. I know a lot of potting mixes have them included, but usually they are in minute quantities. Just don't go adding more - your trees really won't like it.

Where you live, you should be able to get hold of a potting mix called Katek. It's made in Gympie and to my mind is far superior to Searles premium, and it's cheaper and a greater quantity for your money. It's the only potting mix I use.

[rch003]

Wow thats really interesting, thanks for that

Yeah i only used about half a cup in a 2x1 foot box of dirt.

Since its been raining here so much, i've some under the house so they can actually be somewhat drier, i am hoping for some vouchers to the morayfield nursery soon, but i might go for the 45+ min drive to gympie if you say so, what shop is it sold at?

edit: dw looked on the site and found several places, thanks heaps again

[Taffy]

You should be able to get it at any Rural Suppliers in your area RC. I get mine from Kingston Rural here in Maryborough. $16.50 for a 65 litre bag.

[rch003]

$16.50 for a 65 litre bag.

that is bloody ridiculous!!!

I think that beats the 9L for $12 for searles bonsai mix

That is the katek potting mix right?
Do you add anything to it?

[Taffy]

Yes, that's the Katek Potting mix. I do add to it. I was adding grit - 1 scoop to 4 scoops of potting mix. I'm now using Diatomite instead. Depending on what I'm using it for, I mix it 25% with potting mix and up to 50%. Some people are using Diatomite 100%, but I'm not that game yet. With such an inert medium, it means a lot - and I do mean a lot of fertilizer needs to be used, especially if it's a liquid one. I also add a small sprinkle of trace elements because I don't think there is enough in any potting mixes.
There has been a lot of discussion on it's use here on Ausbonsai, so If you want to know more about it, once again use the search function. There has been some really good information written about it.