AusBonsai

MoGanic wrote: PS - According to Uchi - the best medium for Black Pines and Junipers is 100% Blue Metal. I'm almost 90% sure that he didn't mean 100%, but I have tried blue metal on some conifers but haven't had enough for long enough to post some/any results. Might do that once the new house is up and running.

Cheers,
Mo

NB: I just made that up

CoGRedeMptioN wrote:

MoGanic wrote: PS - According to Uchi - the best medium for Black Pines and Junipers is 100% Blue Metal. I'm almost 90% sure that he didn't mean 100%, but I have tried blue metal on some conifers but haven't had enough for long enough to post some/any results. Might do that once the new house is up and running.

Cheers,
Mo

87.6% of all statistics are made up on the spot because only 13.7% of all people check and verify that there is actually proof ....




NB: I just made that up

CoGRedeMptioN wrote:Guess there are plenty of examples by others mentioned here previously (see Ken's post of links) - always thought that copying others gives you a head start then you can compare them to each other and pick the one you like best!

Better than reinventing the wheel!

To test, obviously several new trees of the same species are required! Or of several species, to be fair...


Cheers
EZ
Via Tapatalk

bonsaibuddyman wrote:

xIIRevoEvoS wrote:I plan on experimenting my own bonsai mix on some starter plants.
Would like to know where I would able to purchase Diatomite/Pumice/Zeolite/Pinebark?
What organic soil should I also get?
Whats the purpose of zeolite and how does it look like?

As Ken has pointed out his methods to trialling his own medium, which works for him....and
As Treeman has pointed out that he prefers using a set purchased medium and tweaking things for other species, which works for him....and
As others have reinforced their beliefs or views on what makes a great medium to use for established stock/raw stock etc, it is clear that everyone has different views on the best avenue to take, which is what makes this forum so great, because it allows the user to discern all different opinions trialled or recommended.

Let us all take this on board and again, we can all learn from it. Just like everyone else I have my own experiences on what medium to use and under what conditions, and thus I am not going to add to the opinions already voiced, but I can certainly understand that for each of you there is a unique view which effectively works for all of you, thus it is good to see so many different things working for us all.

I am amazed at the amount of time some of you have to prepare so many different mixes and it is good to see so much passion that you all have for it. Hopefully the trees are the ones that benefit from this thread, so live long and prosper little trees.

In regards to xIIRevoEvoSs original question, you can take comfort in realizing that you have opened pandoras' pot, and that there are many different experienced users with a lot of information and recommendations to digest. I personally always listen to everything everyone says, base their experience from their efforts and trees, and then formulate my own decision. You will probably find that your methods continually change as you learn more and more in this wonderful hobby. As bodhi once stated, the only thing for certain is that the longer you are in this hobby that the more your opinions and efforts will change, and by this, this is how we grow and learn. Never stop learning or listening, and remember that in such a unique hobby as this, one size does not fit all. Good luck with all your efforts.

As bodhi once stated, the only thing for certain is that the longer you are in this hobby that the more your opinions and efforts will change, and by this, this is how we grow and learn. Never stop learning or listening, and remember that in such a unique hobby as this, one size does not fit all

kcpoole wrote:

Jarad wrote:

xIIRevoEvoS wrote: My main experiment will be on 2 starter jbp/maple and juni. I know its a bad idea to test on trees that are already in development.
Will read the threads later in the week once I have abit of time.

Good excuse to get more trees isn't it?

Nice segway to get back on topic and totally agree, Doing experiments and trying different things is an excelent way to justify buying more trees

Ken

EdwardH wrote:When I first started growing Bonsai, I made my own medium using combinations of loam, sand, grit, peat and whatever was lying around. Then after a few years I started buying Ray Nesci's mix and used that for a number of years. Ray advised me that his mix was designed for trees which were ready to be potted up into bonsai pots, essentially show quality and that if my trees were still in the usual black plastic pot then commercial potting mix was quite OK to use. So I changed again My experience tells me that most mixes will give good results if you fertilize and water well. The only difference that I have found is that the mixes with high organic content tend to get curl grubs in them whilst those with high inorganic medium rarely get curl grubs.
Moral of the story is to be flexible, try different mixes and most of all enjoy your trees! The hobby is about enjoying growing miniature trees to look like those that we see in nature. The day that you have set your mind like cement is probably the day that the local mafia hit man caught up with you

EdwardH wrote:Hi Allen,
ATM I'm using Scott's Multi purpose professional mix. It has osmocote and trace elements in it and comes in a large orange 50L bag. I use it as is, no additives except fertilizer. I even grow a pine in it (only three years old, grows well). I hope to have a few trees ready to plant into bonsai pots next year so will but a bag of Ray Nesci's mix for those.
Eddie

CoGRedeMptioN wrote:So it seems that,
Growing starters in potting mix will help them grow thick and string fast (due to its design and research), but it he a tendency to permit/encourage curly grubs;
Bonsai soils, what ever the mix, is then used to mature and define the Bondai into its more final stage.

Is that a correct summary of what has been discussed above?


Cheers
Elmar