Fast growth mix

[stewarjm192]

So I’m looking to make a mix for goring things out over time. I’m thinking of using an 80/20 mix of pumice and organics. Michael Hagedorn describes using 80/20 pumice and bark/steer for growing out his chojubai.

I seem to struggle finding appropriate sized bark at local garden centers. It always seems way too big. What should I be looking for at garden centers? Would any organic component work in a growth mix like this? Or is bark special in this style mix because it is quite course?

 

[Dav4]

There used to be a bagged "soil conditioner" at my home Depot in GA that was mostly chopped pine bark and the size was perfect to be mixed with pumice and lava. I haven't been able to find it since moving. Orchid bark products may work but will be $$$ in large volumes.

 

[_#1_]

Same here. When I lived in Philly, nurseries have these bark chip soil conditioner that's like $13 a giant bag. Can't find them here in texas.

Would coco chore work? Or do they break down or compact too quick?

 

[Dav4]

This was the stuff I used. I’m not sure it’s available anymore.

 

[BillsBayou]

So I’m looking to make a mix for goring things out over time. I’m thinking of using an 80/20 mix of pumice and organics. Michael Hagedorn describes using 80/20 pumice and bark/steer for growing out his chojubai.

I seem to struggle finding appropriate sized bark at local garden centers. It always seems way too big. What should I be looking for at garden centers? Would any organic component work in a growth mix like this? Or is bark special in this style mix because it is quite course?

Steer? That's unknown to me.

Here in Louisiana, small chips of pine bark is sold as soil conditioner. I think that's mostly because it's a by-product of the local lumber industry. So whatever lumber industries you have up north might be selling their by-products as soil conditioner. Check at garden centers.

There used to be a bagged "soil conditioner" at my home Depot in GA that was mostly chopped pine bark and the size was perfect to be mixed with pumice and lava. I haven't been able to find it since moving. Orchid bark products may work but will be $$$ in large volumes.

Orchid bark products are too large. Also, anything sold as "bark mulch" would have particles that are too large. Sometimes "tree soil" can be sized correctly.

The best way to find out what is in the bags is to look for damaged bags. I've purchased alternatives without seeing the contents and been screwed over. I don't want to say that I have accidentally hit the soil bag displays with my shopping cart to see the contents ... so I won't say that.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Look for composted bark or it may be too “hot” for your plants. Composting takes out the more labile (easily digested by bacteria) organic fraction leaving the more refractory portion. Otherwise the soil bacteria in your pots that break down the labile stuff and use nitrogen in the process would end up competing with your plants for nitrogen.