decomposed wood

[Plantermunn]

I see a lot of posts that say add composted bark.

Would wood work. I have piles of it. I have been pileing branches up to twelve inches in a corner of the yard for years.

I would have to screen it I am sure.

The bark seems to have composted faster than the wood.

 

[Plantermunn]

Also how do people feel about coconut fiber.

 

[klosi]

As far as I've heard composted wood would not be appropriate. Only bark. Don't ask me why I might be wrong so I apologize in advance for not contributing anything with this post

 

[Dav4]

Bark (usually derived from conifers like pine, fir and spruce) should actually much more resistant to breakdown then wood due to its composition and that's why they're preferable to wood chips.

 

[Plantermunn]

OK thanks. I can find pine mulch composted might be hard to find around here.

 

[Plantermunn]

OK thanks. I can find pine mulch composted might be hard to find around here.

 

[Dav4]

OK thanks. I can find pine mulch composted might be hard to find around here.

I use soil conditioner products...basically composted pine bark. Home depot carries it...http://www.homedepot.com/p/American-Countryside-1-5-cu-ft-Soil-Conditioner-171-16/205684778

 

[Giga]

I use the same as Dave just the brand is natural helper. Sifted and washed its perfect or just use straight if you courageous and watch your watering

 

[jk_lewis]

Wood chips will steal nitrogen from your soil as it decomposes.

 

[Plantermunn]

OK thanks I will look for the soil conditioner.

 

[M. Frary]

There is a member who goes out and rubs pine bark off of live trees. He says he likes his fresh.

 

[Bunjeh]

Also how do people feel about coconut fiber.

I have never used it but Rob Cho up in Kent uses a mix of 80% lava/20% coconut fiber and swears by it.

 

[Plantermunn]

Also how do people feel about coconut fiber.
I have never used it but Rob Cho up in Kent uses a mix of 80% lava/20% coconut fiberand swears by it.

I have been using it for my succulents. Coconut fiber perlite and pea gravel. Been good so far.

 

[0soyoung]

Wood chips will steal nitrogen from your soil as it decomposes.

Why is this a concern in a pot to which we are adding abundant amounts of NPK salts (fertilizer) in one form or another?

 

[Anthony]

Oso,

I would wonder why not - composted materials ?

Why this drive towards holding water, and not just use a porous inorganic material ?

Cocopeat works just fine as an organic component, but will self compost on our side in about 2 months. It can be used like peat moss, but composted material also works just fine.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Giga]

Oso,


Why this drive towards holding water, and not just use a porous inorganic material ?

For me is because(I think most people) is we have a day job and have to water in the morning and the tree be ok all day till we get home at like 5'ish

 

[wireme]

I use decomposed wood with I think good results. Usually brown rot Doug fir. I avoid the white rot.
Usually the hardwoods get white r ot. Not sure what kind of wood you have. The stuff I use has been on the forest floor for many years. Partially its convenience, I can fill a Rubbermaid in 10 mins from my back door. Using it about 10% and crumbled and sifted.

 

[Plantermunn]

Thanks. What I have is all oak and pecan.

 

[Smoke]

Wood chips will steal nitrogen from your soil as it decomposes.

Only in an anaerobic state not aerobic like in pot with plenty of air. When compost goes anaerobic and creates massive amounts of heat like deep in a huge pile of compost is it absorbing nitrogen. This is the point at which piles of compost can spontainiously combust. Not gonna happen in bonsai pot.

 

[Anthony]

Al,

if that is scientifically correct, much thanks.

Still wondering why bark, not composted material or porous inorganic material [ pumice, red lava, perlite, fired clay ....] wouldn't that stuff give problems in the core ? With long term use. decomposing, losing size, and so on ?
Good Day
Anthony