[Ray M] Corky Bark Chinese Elm #2

[bouquet]

Thanks for the reply Ray.

Potting mixes are like fertilisers. So many to choose and so many different make ups.

I think I will be keeping mine simple for all trees, whether in a bonsai pot or growing pot/box/

My mix I'm thinking will be 2/3 or 75% Diatomite 2-7mm with 1/3 or 25% pine bark/sifted premium potting mix 2-6mm

Does anyone see a problem with this mix. I have, at the moment, mainly pines. I am branching out into and starting some nursery stock Azaleas and camelleas. Also looking at some natives.

I am am relatively new to bonsai I want to employ the KISS method and approach when it comes to bonsai soils.

[kcpoole]

Thanks for the reply Ray.

Potting mixes are like fertilisers. So many to choose and so many different make ups.

I think I will be keeping mine simple for all trees, whether in a bonsai pot or growing pot/box/

My mix I'm thinking will be 2/3 or 75% Diatomite 2-7mm with 1/3 or 25% pine bark/sifted premium potting mix 2-6mm

Does anyone see a problem with this mix. I have, at the moment, mainly pines. I am branching out into and starting some nursery stock Azaleas and camelleas. Also looking at some natives.

I am am relatively new to bonsai I want to employ the KISS method and approach when it comes to bonsai soils.

An excellent Mix and will serve you well.

Ken

[kcpoole]

RAY NESCI POTTING MIX
I appreciate that everyone can't buy Ray's mix. I will have a talk with Ray and see if I can get a breakdown of what he uses. When I get the information I will update this post.

Regards Ray

I think something like
1/3 pine bark
1/3 decomposed Granite
1/3 mulch or some sort

he also adds in a measure of Zeolite but that might be 10%
be interesting to see what it actually is tho
Ken

[Ray M]

Hi all,
I have spoken to Ray and found out the basic structure of the soil he sells. This may be helpful when someone says they use Ray's mix.

1/3 Compost - This is made from composting HARDWOOD SAWDUST
1/3 Pine Bark Fines
1/3 Coarse Sand - from my observation the sand is quite coarse, 2-3mm

Ray doesn't add any fertilizer to his mix. Because he doesn't know how long people will store their mix before using, therefore no fertilizer is added. This is completely up to each individual.

I always add Zeolite to my mix. To half a bag of mix I add two heaped double handfuls of Zeolite.

When repotting I place some soil in the bottom of the container and add some slow release fertilizer, and make sure this is mixed in well. The tree is placed on the soil and more soil added to the desired height.

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

Hi everyone,
I have tried an experiment with some photos. Two points: Do you like red as a background colour for this colour tree? Do you like the red or mottled red background?

All comments welcome.

Elm 2 red-2.jpg

Elm 2-2.jpg

Regards Ray

[Elmar]

G'day Ray,
I find these backgrounds (both) very dark. While the first seems to highlight the tree greenery more, I still feel it doesn't make the other features stand out as much as a lighter background.

But I am looking at it only mobile phone - there may be a difference when looking from a PC...

[time8theuniverse]

I like the plane red. It's lighter and the tree is easier to see. There is less reference to scale with a plane background to let the work on the tree stand out more.

Nice tree. The bark of the trunk looks good.

[Isitangus]

I like the first red, for me the darkness of it makes me look at the tree more

[gerald randall]

Ray

It is a great development, in a very short time. Well done. What did you feed it?

Rgds
Gerald

[fredman]

Love the first red. To me its a pleasant new way of viewing a bonsai. It does make one focus on the tree more...

[kcpoole]

I prefer the second red.
It makes the background less defined like as if a tight depth of field used in a photo.

Might be a a little dark, but a lime wash over will fix that

Ken

[Ray M]

Ray

It is a great development, in a very short time. Well done. What did you feed it?

Rgds
Gerald

Hi Gerald,
Being a Corky Bark Chinese Elm, I have used Seamungus, Dolomite Lime and Foliage Feeding. When I put a new batch of Seamungus on the soil I sprinkle some Dolomite Lime on top of the soil. It must then be washed through immediately. If any of the Dolomite Lime is on the branches or trunk, wash it off. I also use Foliage Feeding.

Regards Ray

[Ray M]

I prefer the second red.
It makes the background less defined like as if a tight depth of field used in a photo.

Might be a a little dark, but a lime wash over will fix that

Ken

Hi Ken,
I gave it a wash.

Elm 2-4.jpg

Regards Ray

[kcpoole]

I like that one now Ray

[Ray M]

Hi everyone,
This tree has now been repotted.

Photographing Chart.jpg

IMG_9525 -2.jpg

IMG_9526 -2.jpg

IMG_9527 -2.jpg

IMG_9528 -2.jpg

IMG_9529 -2.jpg

IMG_9530 -2.jpg

IMG_9531 -2.jpg

IMG_9532 -2.jpg

Photographing Chart Above.jpg

IMG_9535 -2.jpg

Regards Ray