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Some nooob questions.
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Author:  Goztek [ 08 Jan 2010, 07:23 ]
Post subject:  Some nooob questions.
Good Morning, i wanted to write this yesterday but i couldn't remember what i wanted to say and now i know :)

1. We use soil with a very good drainage, are there any other advantages apart from no keeping the roots wet?
2. Does peat has good drainage?

I tell you why i am writing this. 2 years ago we bought 2 palm trees, they have both the same years, both same pot size but one is in 100% peat and the other is in 100% commin soil, loam and some pebbles. The palm tree in peat soil has grown twice as much as the other one but i don't know really why. Here people plant everything (not bonsai) in 100% peat and i don't know if our akadama soil gives the same advantages.
Author:  keithmart [ 08 Jan 2010, 09:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Some nooob questions.
Hi

One major problem with peat is that once it dries out, it is very hard to get it wet again.

In your climate, I would guess that it would be a problem in small pots.

Adding a small quantity of peat to a soil mix should be ok.

because of the watering problems you have in Malta, You want a free draining, but water re tentative soil, and akadama or similar would do this.
Author:  Goztek [ 08 Jan 2010, 12:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Some nooob questions.
at the moment i am doing
1 part peat
2 part akadama
2 part grit
i hope i will have some good results
Author:  Goztek [ 08 Jan 2010, 18:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: Some nooob questions.
my grit looks like this
http://www.sand.ie/images/p_grit..jpg they normally use it for aquariums i think it is good. Last season i used baked clay but it is light and sometimes it floats when i water and its not good. What else can i add to make my mixture better for all the trees, because i am not a pro and at this point in time i still can't make a tree definition, i mean i read alot about trees and best soil etc. I also have to adapt my yard to the trees and soil. The local bonsai book says and i quote 'a basic mix to use and one that would apply to almost all species is one part loam, 2 part sphagnum peat moss, 2 parts coarse grit. This seems strange to me because this soil mix does not really have alot of drainage. Apart from this in my yard i don't get sun in winter or very few and i get sun in summer from around 9.30 till around 3 pm. So i need a good drainage soil because i think the example in the book is for a full day of sun. What do you guys suggest?
Author:  Jerry Norbury [ 08 Jan 2010, 22:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Some nooob questions.
It all comes down to your climate and willingness/ability to water.
Author:  Goztek [ 09 Jan 2010, 07:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Some nooob questions.
with this new mix at the moment i am watering 3 days a week (when not raining). In summer i have to water i think everyday. I have time to water everyday so its not a problem. Last year i lost alot of trees due to overwatering with this new mix there is no way that can happen
Author:  Jerry Norbury [ 09 Jan 2010, 13:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Some nooob questions.
Goztek wrote:
with this new mix at the moment i am watering 3 days a week (when not raining). In summer i have to water i think everyday. I have time to water everyday so its not a problem. Last year i lost alot of trees due to overwatering with this new mix there is no way that can happen

It's hard to believe that anything could be lost to overwatering, but of course, you have trees which are essentially used to arid conditions.
With free-draining soil you cannot overwater, it's impossible.
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