Do people use a diff type of soil when planting on a slab or rock?

[vp999]

Hi guys ! When I see pictures of tree or forrest planting on a slab or a rock, the soil looks like regular potting mix and not Akadama and such. I tried to do this with typical bonsai mix and the loose substrate just run down the slope instead of holding together and not move. Am I suppose to use a diff type of bonsai soil mix when I do such planting when theres nothing to hold the soil in place ? Thanks

 

[0soyoung]

no

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Ive heard people use a soil called "muck" which is thicker and sticky. Maybe someone can give some insight into a "muck mix". Ive never planted on a slab so no first hand experience.

 

[0soyoung]

Muck is muddy stuff like potter's clay and sphagnum that is used to make the equivalent of pot walls around the bonsai substrate on flat or shallow slabs. Acadama-cists also put Akadama fines in their muck. The muck is covered with moss and the moss is usually extended over part if not all of the bonsai substrate to disguise/obscure it all.

 

[bonsaichile]

people use a clay-based muck to build little retantion walls in the slab. Then, you can plant your trees in normal bonsai soil.

 

[TN_Jim]

999

 

[sorce]

This is Napa 8822, you can see a layer of silt on the top from the bottom of the moss, this holds everything on while establishing.




This has enough roots all thru to hold it together, I can leave it like this, and though it may erode away a bit, it'll be too slow to kill it.



Keep it mossed fresh anyway!


This was a couple months ago, that moss took hold again and overgrew in a month or so.
Don't cut it down like Nigel does,
Cut it up!
Replace with fresh tops!

Sorce

 

[vp999]

Thank you Sorce...Thats some nice moss you got there.

 

[peterbone]

Muck also known as Keto.

 

[vp999]

Muck also known as Keto.

Thank you sir!

 

[Mayank]

Muck also known as Keto.

Thanks for that info. I've always wondered what keto was and when I googled it I got info about weight loss diets

 

[River's Edge]

Hi guys ! When I see pictures of tree or forrest planting on a slab or a rock, the soil looks like regular potting mix and not Akadama and such. I tried to do this with typical bonsai mix and the loose substrate just run down the slope instead of holding together and not move. Am I suppose to use a diff type of bonsai soil mix when I do such planting when theres nothing to hold the soil in place ? Thanks

Michael Hagedorn has a great write up with a recipe for " muck " on his website Craetegus.com. He has some amazing slab creations in his display garden. Check it out!

 

[vp999]

Michael Hagedorn has a great write up with a recipe for " muck " on his website Craetegus.com. He has some amazing slab creations in his display garden. Check it out!

Thank you!

 

[Cable]

Muck also known as Keto.

I don't think that is entirely correct. My understanding is that keto-tsuchi is an organic rich peat-like substance that is used in the creation of muck.

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