caerolle
Sapling
Hi, I am trying to grow out several very small Japanese Maples, and need to do this in pots instead of in the ground. I would think using something less precious than bonsai soil for these would be ok for this purpose, and of course using bonsai soil would be quite expensive for the size containers I am going to need (up to 5 -10 gallons each) and the number of them. Even if this is not the ideal, I am willing to trade off some growth rate (and definitely root ramification) for cost. Plus, it seems a shame to use precious materials just to grow them up...
I have spent a lot of time searching and agonizing over what to use. If someone gave me some little trees last year to grow in pots, I would have put them in good potting mix and moved on all ignorant and happy, but now I am worried about killing my trees. I have spent a lot of time researching materials, and a lot of time finding out that my area has essentially nothing I want to use. No pine fines, no pumice or lava rock the right size. I can get perlite, maybe even something in the range of the right size from a hydroponics place, but not keen on using that, partly because I dispose of used potting materials in my small yard, and worry about having little white beads everywhere (I live in a condo).
I did find some coarse material (link below) to which I added some 3/8 - 1/2" pine chips (sifted from ReptiBarkfrom Petco), small perlite (~), and ~1/2" lava rock (something left over from me smashing larger stuff, cannot buy anything smaller than 3/4" here). It drains sorta well, but that isn't something I can really make again. I also sifted some of the planting mix to 1/10" - 1/2" to get rid of the fines and the large chunks, and that seems to drain even better.
My primary concern with using the sifted material is the nitrogen level (and to some degree the pH). This is 100% organic, so I worry about that. I added blood meal to the pots with the mix I described above, but really don't have any idea of how much is needed. I tried to err on the side of not burning up my plants, but that may be far too little with all that organic material.
I have half thought of just getting some good potting soil and making sure I don't get carried away on the water, or adding some perlite. I would love to add pumice or lava rock, but again, bulk pumice is unknown here, as is lava rock smaller than 3/4".
I know this is a fraught topic, sorry, so Mods feel free to delete! Otherwise I appreciate any suggestions people might have.
Thanks!
I have spent a lot of time searching and agonizing over what to use. If someone gave me some little trees last year to grow in pots, I would have put them in good potting mix and moved on all ignorant and happy, but now I am worried about killing my trees. I have spent a lot of time researching materials, and a lot of time finding out that my area has essentially nothing I want to use. No pine fines, no pumice or lava rock the right size. I can get perlite, maybe even something in the range of the right size from a hydroponics place, but not keen on using that, partly because I dispose of used potting materials in my small yard, and worry about having little white beads everywhere (I live in a condo).
I did find some coarse material (link below) to which I added some 3/8 - 1/2" pine chips (sifted from ReptiBarkfrom Petco), small perlite (~), and ~1/2" lava rock (something left over from me smashing larger stuff, cannot buy anything smaller than 3/4" here). It drains sorta well, but that isn't something I can really make again. I also sifted some of the planting mix to 1/10" - 1/2" to get rid of the fines and the large chunks, and that seems to drain even better.
Kellogg Garden Organics 1.5 cu. ft. All Natural Planting Mix for Trees, Shrubs and Roses 6160 - The Home Depot
Kellogg Garden Organics All Natural Planting Mix for Trees, Shrubs and Roses is a 2-in-1 planting mix and mulch. It is the perfect mix for in-ground planting of larger root-mass plants like trees, shrubs
www.homedepot.com
My primary concern with using the sifted material is the nitrogen level (and to some degree the pH). This is 100% organic, so I worry about that. I added blood meal to the pots with the mix I described above, but really don't have any idea of how much is needed. I tried to err on the side of not burning up my plants, but that may be far too little with all that organic material.
I have half thought of just getting some good potting soil and making sure I don't get carried away on the water, or adding some perlite. I would love to add pumice or lava rock, but again, bulk pumice is unknown here, as is lava rock smaller than 3/4".
I know this is a fraught topic, sorry, so Mods feel free to delete! Otherwise I appreciate any suggestions people might have.
Thanks!