AusBonsai

I'm starting to experiment with planting to rock etc. I am looking for a recipe for the appropriate type of soil. In the books that I have been reading it has been referred to as Keto soil, Muck or 'clay based soil'.

One recipe I have found calls it 'muck' and says it is 50% rotted manure and 50% clay. Does anyone know what type of clay? Would potters clay be suitable?

Another recipe I found calls it Keto soil and says its 5 parts Akadama, 2.5 parts sphagnum moss, and 2.5 parts "Keto soil (clay based soil)?"

I am confused about the terminolgy being used here as they seem to contradict?

Does anyone have a comment or a recipe for this stuff?

The Surgeon wrote:I'm starting to experiment with planting to rock etc. I am looking for a recipe for the appropriate type of soil. In the books that I have been reading it has been referred to as Keto soil, Muck or 'clay based soil'.


Does anyone have a comment or a recipe for this stuff?

Hi Surgeon , I have used many mixes for the perimeter edge or wall for slabs .I use red sticky clay and blend it with semi composted pine or cedar needles and a hand full of coarse sand .You want the mix to be pliable/mouldable like play-dow .If potters clay was to be used i would think that it would turn to slip which is a slurry mix of potters clay . The water content of the mix should be on the drier side however you should be able to squeeze it through you fingers if you take a handfull and squash it .It should also be sticky enough to adhere to the slab and be turned upside down without falling off . The Needles or Spagnum work as a reinforcing material to bind the clay or it will crack and fall off .It helps to retain a small amount of moisture around the wall also.Hope this helps .Cheers

Thanks alpineart, it seems that there are a few mixes which may work. I think I'll give your mix a try, however where does one source 'red sticky clay' from? Most commercially available soils, potting mixes etc are a course medium for free drainage.

its the clay in your back yard if ya dig deep enough.

Yes it there all right ,i'm blessed the clay is at ground level as i had an excavator terrace the yard .Any natural clay will do red , gray , yellow its all in the ground ,find some roadworks and grab a bag full . It doesn't matter if it dries out just add when it comes time to use it .Cheers

We use any old Ground clay ( Plenty in Sydney) and mixed 50/50 peatmoss

Of course any old clay.............good thing I live in an area which is sand based!

Thanks for the road works tip, alipineart. I'll be out hunting this weekend. Thanks also anttal63 and kcpoole for your recipe.

Ive experimented quiet a bit with different muck. Nothing really confirmed and nothing really failed, but i would not add sand to any mix. Basically, you want a really smooth consistency to make it moldable/pliable. Use the purest form of clay you can find (i dig mine out too, but can buy muck from Ray Nesci Bonsai Centre which is near me, but not you). I add 50 percent peat moss too, or coir peat, so long as its not super cheap (which could have salt in it). Add water until its a desired consistence. If its not sticky enough, add some corn flour (not too much, it really does make it sticky). If its too sticky, add more peat moss. Sphagnum seems to work just as good, but is more expensive. I usually add a tiny amount of seasol to encourage microorganisms. Microbes naturally break down soils into finer products, making them stickier too. Ever squished the dark blobs from around a worm hole in good soil? Very nice consistency for muck.

JayC

Potters' clay is fine to use. It's basically the same (just more refined) as you would dig out of the ground and won't turn to slurry unless you add too much water which is what will also happen with what you dig clay from the ground or when it rains a lot.
Penny.