Soil mixture for Chaenomeles-specifically Chojubai

[b3bowen]

I have a new chojubai on the way, just a small sampling, as well as a much larger Chaenomeles speciosa 'Contorta’. The contorta has been in the same soil for about three years, so I plan to repot it in about a month. The new chojubai I am sure I will repot as well. I have read a lot about soil mixes for these plants But could use some advice. I am going to start moving the contorta towards a smaller container (not bonsai, likely grow box 12x12). I am in zone 7 and can only water once per day.

so, for those of you who are successful with chojubai, what zone are you in, what soil mix do you use, what particle size do you recommend?

Would you use a similar mix for both plants? (will likely use larger particle size for contorta)

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I have chojubai that currently in Akadama, about 1/8 to 1/4 inches particle size. It was in this mix last year, when I bought it. It's a good media, I saw no reason to repot.

My contorted white is in a mix of pumice, bark, DE, and some recycled Kanuma from my azalea.

Any "deciduous mix" that holds moisture should work.

Flowering quince are usually repotted in late summer or early autumn, in order to avoid issues with nematodes in the soil infecting the tree. But with modern substrates, which are relatively sterile, this is not the problem it used to be. Avoiding garden soil will help avoid nematodes.

 

[roberthu]

I have chojubai that currently in Akadama, about 1/8 to 1/4 inches particle size. It was in this mix last year, when I bought it. It's a good media, I saw no reason to repot.

My contorted white is in a mix of pumice, bark, DE, and some recycled Kanuma from my azalea.

Any "deciduous mix" that holds moisture should work.

Flowering quince are usually repotted in late summer or early autumn, in order to avoid issues with nematodes in the soil infecting the tree. But with modern substrates, which are relatively sterile, this is not the problem it used to be. Avoiding garden soil will help avoid nematodes.

I hear this lot but I never truly understand why repotting in fall will eliminate the nematodes better compared to spring repot? Is it because the nematodes mostly come from new soil so if we repot in winter, they will freeze to death due to small pot and medium volume?

 

[quietobserver]

Chojubai are water hogs so whatever you go with please keep that in mind. I keep mine in small particle akadama 75-80% and cut it with small particle pumice 20-25%.

 

[b3bowen]

Chojubai are water hogs so whatever you go with please keep that in mind. I keep mine in small particle akadama 75-80% and cut it with small particle pumice 20-25%.

When you say small particle, 1/16-1/8th size or 1/8-1/4 or something else?

thanks for your valuable input.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

Quince in general are water hogs. My chojubai seems to love a standard Boon mix, but it does have small particles, like 1/16-3/16. This year it's growing like crazy, and I moved it to a deeper pot with small particles.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@roberthu
I don't know, don't remember, enough about the life cycle of plant pathogenic nematodes, to tell you the why. I believe I read an article in the 1990's, about it, either in the ABS magazine or something? Have been late summer repotting ever since. Don't remember specifically why anymore.

 

[b3bowen]

Quince in general are water hogs. My chojubai seems to love a standard Boon mix, but it does have small particles, like 1/16-3/16. This year it's growing like crazy, and I moved it to a deeper pot with small particles.

Are you using 1:1:1 akadama/pumice/lava or 2:1:1 (deciduous mix)? You are in a much wetter climate than me.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

Are you using 1:1:1 akadama/pumice/lava or 2:1:1 (deciduous mix)? You are in a much wetter climate than me.

Just 1:1:1, summers here are very dry.

 

[b3bowen]

Looking on Michael Hagedorn’s website,
He suggests the following for a weak quince.

“Some weak Chojubai are simply in soil that is too fine, are overwatered or underwatered, or are in pots that are too shallow, and those are easy to correct.”

I don’t see that he discusses the substrate size that he recommends. I know I can’t go to large with boons mix or they will dry out to Quickly.

I have read some, that a higher organic portion is a good idea. This could mean Pine bark, but I have had good luck with my Satsuki azaleas Using a larger substrate size, but mixing in about 30% chopped long spagnum moss.

Does anyone think that boons mix amended with long fiber spagnum moss would be a good idea?This will allow for larger particle size with high moisture retention

 

[quietobserver]

When you say small particle, 1/16-1/8th size or 1/8-1/4 or something else?

thanks for your valuable input.

1/8th is a nice sized particle for chojubai in my climate. (Outside of Memphis TN) With that said I use double red line akadama that’s pretty hard and doesn’t break down too much. Pumice is usually pumice and doesn’t break down much at all....Chojubai are dwarf shrubs and not really a “tree” in nature and it’s roots are indicative of that. They don’t put on much girth and seem to do well with small particles, at least where I’m located. Best of luck and keep us posted!

 

[Paradox]

Avoiding garden soil will help avoid nematodes.

Also not putting your pots directly on or in the ground will also help avoid nematodes.