Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Yup, my Lowes doesn't carry it and cannot get it in.
Akadama vs. Pumice vs. Lava Rock
- Thread starter Redwood Ryan
- Start date
Yup, my Lowes doesn't carry it and cannot get it in.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Those soil conditioners and dry-stall aren't available in many areas (like here).
JoeR
Masterpiece
I find it hard to believe you can't find drystall near Rochester, there's got to be lots of horse owners there?
No Soil conditioner either? My lowes carries several brands of conditioner so that's surprising too.
No Soil conditioner either? My lowes carries several brands of conditioner so that's surprising too.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Trust me, I've tried. Even the local agway said they wouldn't get it in.
Now, it's possible someone has started carrying it since I last checked, which is why I periodically check in.
Now, it's possible someone has started carrying it since I last checked, which is why I periodically check in.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Around 1/8-1/4".
armetisius
Chumono
Excellent.
Already prep'd to that, it is worth the fifty mile drive to the store they say has it.
Thanks again
Already prep'd to that, it is worth the fifty mile drive to the store they say has it.
Thanks again
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
JoeR
Masterpiece
Can I take the large lava rock 'mulch' that lowes sells and crush it into smaller sizes and sift it? If so how would I?
I just paid wayy too much for my soil and I can't see doing that again.
What is the Napa oil dry like? I can see using it too but I don't really know what it does.
Or what about "WalMart sells a cat litter called "Special Kitty Natural Cat litter" from this page:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1412308/napa-product-to-replace-turface
I just paid wayy too much for my soil and I can't see doing that again.
What is the Napa oil dry like? I can see using it too but I don't really know what it does.
Or what about "WalMart sells a cat litter called "Special Kitty Natural Cat litter" from this page:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1412308/napa-product-to-replace-turface
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
Yes, you can crush it with a hammer or whatever else but it's going to take a long long time and a lot of sifting. If you do it, you'll only do it once. Buy some online would be my recommendation. NAPA Oil Dry is 100% diatomaceous earth (DE). It's a water sponge but the particles are very small. Never tried kitty litter but I know there are some that are DE. If you go with kitty litter make sure there is nothing harmful to your trees in it like stuff to make it smell good.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Sure, I can order just about anything on line. But if I'm going to order drystall and pay for shipping, I may as well just order regular pumice (and lava) and pay for shipping. Especially since most people say the particle size of drystall is somewhat on the small side (like turface).
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Joe, WalMart "Special Kitty" won't work (unless they've modified it). A few years ago someone on another forum suggested it so I bought a bag. As soon as I soaked it in water it started to mush-up. Won't work as a soil component. People in Europe have access to kitty litters that are hard-fired, more like a turface...that will work but I've never heard of a similar product in the U.S.
I also tried the buy-big-lava-chunks-and-break-with-a-hammer approach. Suffice it to say, I won't be doing that again!
I also tried the buy-big-lava-chunks-and-break-with-a-hammer approach. Suffice it to say, I won't be doing that again!
JoeR
Masterpiece
JoeR
Masterpiece
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
bonsairxmd
Shohin
In regards to pine bark fines/soil conditioner.....Same with my Lowes and Home Depots in this area. They did not have it and could not order it. I had to go to a large local independent nursery to get mine. The other even larger nursery in town did not even have it. Not sure why it is so hard to find here. I got tired of sifting though and just buy mine now from Bonsai Jack. His prices on pine bark are better than Dallas Bonsai's the last time I checked.
JoeR
Masterpiece
I noticed on Mark Comstock's Facebook page that he had a pine in what looks like 50% perlite and maybe 50% pumice?
Is this common practice for pines? Would this work for other trees?
Is this common practice for pines? Would this work for other trees?
klosi
Shohin
Hi guys!
Do you think lava rock of sizes 5-10mm (that is 0.2"-0.4") is too big to use it as a soil? I'v got mixed responses on this qustion, so just wanted to check with all of you.
Thanks
Do you think lava rock of sizes 5-10mm (that is 0.2"-0.4") is too big to use it as a soil? I'v got mixed responses on this qustion, so just wanted to check with all of you.
Thanks
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
It's fine for you're larger trees.
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