Azalea Soil Mix

[Jboy2424]

Camellias I use kanuma or the Mix stated above, for stewartia I use only the akadama mix as stewartia roots are too aggressive for kanuma

makes sense.

Kanuma for bonsai camilia ericaceous compost for non bonsai plant

The funny thing is - you guys are the professionals and know how to grow bonsai better then I ever will. There is no doubt - none.
You are also making a case that what I was talking about is only "ericaceous compost", which I wasn't - only 25% was compost. (actually soil which is a no-no more or less in bonsai).

But, there is no way I would ever agree with that above statement.

 

[Lutonian]

makes sense.

The funny thing is - you guys are the professionals and know how to grow bonsai better then I ever will. There is no doubt - none.
But, there is no way I would ever agree with that above statement.

Lol I am no where near a professional, watering schedule, climate, price and availability play a large part in my choice of substrate. Play around and see what works for you.

 

[Jboy2424]

Lol I am no where near a professional, watering schedule, climate, price and availability play a large part in my choice of substrate. Play around and see what works for you.

I understand - but, my background is in camellia's - and that's why I can make that statement - it's also why I have had a problem growing bonsai - I grew camellia's for years for the flower - and not for the structure of the tree. One is for growth one was strictly for bloom - and it's not an easy conversion. Yet, if I was ever to grow any camellia as bonsai I personally would not grow it like I would grow other bonsai but that's because of my background with camellia's.

 

[Lutonian]

I understand - but, my background is in camellia's - and that's why I can make that statement - it's also why I have had a problem growing bonsai - I grew camellia's for years for the flower - and not for the structure of the tree. One is for growth one was strictly for bloom - and it's not easy an easy conversion.

The culture is very different once you cram things in tiny pots and start bonsaiing them, camellia's are quite easy plants as long as you meet there Ph and requirements. they are not common in gardens in my town as the soil is pure chalk but they are very popular over hear in the UK in gardens with better soils.

 

[Jboy2424]

The culture is very different once you cram things in tiny pots and start bonsaiing them, camellia's are quite easy plants as long as you meet there Ph and requirements. they are not common in gardens in my town as the soil is pure chalk but they are very popular over hear in the UK in gardens with better soils.

Yes, and that's exactly why I would grow a camellia different then you would.

 

[jeef16]

I bit the bullet and planted in coarse-ish (>1/8") horticultural perlite with like 10% safe t sorb. I threw in a bit of kanuma and topped with spagnum moss. I plan to use soil acidifiers soon to help it along

 

[Bonsaidoorguy]

I had been planting my azalea and dwarf rhododendron in my standard mix, pummice, lava, pine bark. But this year I got some kanuma and repotted them all with 100%. I'm curious to see if I can tell a difference.

 

[Lazylightningny]

I personally use 100% kanuma