Blends for soil mix tests

[NBPCA]

Hi Brett,

We are now up to 60 mediums, I guess another couldnt hurt. Doesnt Kingston just buy Debco now? Do you have any of Ray's that you can bring us?

Regards,
Leigh.

[Jamie]

Hi Jamie,

Richgro aquatic mix is Spongelite and is already in the testing regime as a component.

I will list all names of material and Brand names in my test results so you will be able to see.

At the moment the aquatic mix and diatomite behave very similarly so I don't know if there is a benefit of the two together; maybe a difference would be dicerned in the test growing phase of my testing.

I will see how we go.

grant

hi grant, its interesting that it is similar to diatomite for you, i have had very different results with it across all three mixes, 100% seems to dry out rather quickly, where as the 50/50 aqua. and diat is working very well for me, holding a nice amount of moisture. i have weighed or measured the differences just from observastions and a finger test

jamie

[Bretts]

Hi Brett,

We are now up to 60 mediums, I guess another couldnt hurt. Doesnt Kingston just buy Debco now? Do you have any of Ray's that you can bring us?

Regards,
Leigh.

I don't know much about Kingston's mix I have never used it. They where the only ones that I could get a bag of zeolite from a few years ago as they use it in their mix. I kinda think they may have been one of the first around the Sydney area anyway.
I am sure they are selling bags of it in Bunnings now. White bag plain writing. Usually under the so called Bonsai! I have no idea if it has changed from their old mix though.
I will be able to grab some of Ray's Mix. Will a small bag do just for testing. I hope I am not in a silly mood and tell him what I want it for he might not sell it too me.

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Brett,

We will test Rays and Kingstons mix if they are easilly available. I won't chase or test any more organic mixes after that though as I am mostly after information on inorganics.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Jamie,

Richgro aquatic mix is Spongelite and is already in the testing regime as a component.

I will list all names of material and Brand names in my test results so you will be able to see.

At the moment the aquatic mix and diatomite behave very similarly so I don't know if there is a benefit of the two together; maybe a difference would be dicerned in the test growing phase of my testing.

I will see how we go.

grant

hi grant, its interesting that it is similar to diatomite for you, i have had very different results with it across all three mixes, 100% seems to dry out rather quickly, where as the 50/50 aqua. and diat is working very well for me, holding a nice amount of moisture. i have weighed or measured the differences just from observastions and a finger test

jamie

as components only of a mix they seem very similar to me here in canberra in the middle of winter.(weight similar, water absorbing similar,) I am keen to find out what I can so I will do the tests as you wish above but the real test will be the growing tests I feel.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Brett,

We will test Rays and Kingstons mix if they are easilly available. I won't chase or test any more organic mixes after that though as I am mostly after information on inorganics.

Grant

Also, as I am totally bearing personally the cost of the components and pots, I will use the material left over and don't want too much stuff that I will never use.

I personally am unlikely to use too much organic mix in the future. That way the mixes/blends of material should always be reliable and repeatable by anyone who cares to make their own mixes in the future.

Over the coming years we will blend mixes more finely attuned to the particular plant.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Any more requests?

Grant

Hey Grant,

When I live in Victoria I used to use Sashi Eda bonsai mix, not sure if you can get it in Canberra so maybe talk to Chris Sirre about some if you cant find any. He put me on to a local source here in Newcastle. I had some of the best growth out of my trees while using it, tho because of the high bark content nitrogen theft was an issue and I had to keep ontop of the feeding & then give extra for the bark to consume.

Look forward to seeing the results of your testing, its really great to have someone like yourself go to this much effort for all of us. It is definitely a huge plus given how many different proprietary mixs, traditional media & then the various alternatives we have all devised over time or have read in various books.

Matt

We spoke with Chris today and he will put a bag of Sashi Eda in the mail for us. He is keen to see out tests as well and was glad to help out. He also sells diatomite.

Grant

[Scott Roxburgh]

I am mostly after information on inorganics...I personally am unlikely to use too much organic mix in the future.

Sounds good!

[Leigh Taafe]

Also, as I am totally bearing personally the cost of the components and pots

Anyone else want to have anything tested? It's ok - honest!

[NBPCA]

Hi Everyone,

testing is well underway.

I have purchased some Orchid mix for those who would like it tested and I have used it in a few mixes already.

Any preferred mixes?

Grant

[NBPCA]

IMG_2304.JPG

[Chris H]

Grant.
This looks like it is becoming bigger than ben hur!
I use a mix of orchid mix and Kanuma for some of my azaleas. I am unscientifically testing it in my own way.
If you are doing it scientifically that would great.

[Glenda]

Grant.
This looks like it is becoming bigger than ben hur!
I use a mix of orchid mix and Kanuma for some of my azaleas. I am unscientifically testing it in my own way.
If you are doing it scientifically that would great.

To really be scientific, you need about 100 seedlings potted in each of the mixes, maybe even 1000. Only having a few of each there could be other reasons why one seedling does better than another. Since that would be unrealistic for an individual to do, we will just have to accept Grant's findings and be prepared to continue the testing ourselves.

Glenda

[Bretts]

That's a good point Glenda. If I could answer for Grant in that some of the tests he is doing such as the amount of water held pH and stuff are fairly definitive. But a test of growing a seedling in each should be looked on more as something like a brainstorming project. This can aim new experiments to clarify or explore theories that present from such projects.
There will be many variables. One example is maybe one will stay wetter than another but it may not be because it holds more water. The pH or whatever may not be agreeable with the medium = less growth= less water usage. So if anything unusual shows up like you siad the testing could continue to clarify what is going on!
As always the more questions we answer the more questions we find.

[Grant Bowie]

Grant.
This looks like it is becoming bigger than ben hur!
I use a mix of orchid mix and Kanuma for some of my azaleas. I am unscientifically testing it in my own way.
If you are doing it scientifically that would great.

What percentage?