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Re-pot delay
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Author:  not4ne1 [ 11 Mar 2010, 16:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

I also use the oildry, or floor dry, for garage floors. Most auto parts stores sell it I think it's like $5 for a 10lb bag. I might be wrong about the price. It's been a year since I bought any. I use a mix of sifted garvel (3-4mm) from my back yard (which is desert) and floor dry (kitty litter). I started sifting with a coffee can that I drilled many, many holes in. Barely worth the effert. Later I bought a sifting sieve. I don't use anything organic in mine because I thought that's what you were suppose to do. I once read that Bonsai soil is essentially hydroponic growing. All the nutrients came from the fertalizer. In fact I learned about kitty litter from this forum and read about people using it exclusivly and nothing else. But lately I'm reading on this forum more and more people using organic stuff. Is this just for ease of care? I could be way off but I will say that with the exception of light to some, all my trees are doing well. I've actually brought many household plants from the dead with this soil. I like the look of this soil because it's got a consistent color rather than darker browns mixed in from the organic matter. That's my recipe. If I'm way off someone please correct me. I just wanted to offer a little more more input for you warren.

Many thanks

Author:  Jerry Norbury [ 11 Mar 2010, 17:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

I don't get the impression that people are using more organic.

I was repotting today (10 trees - phew) and the trees that came out of 100% cat litter were in great condition. The soil came off easily and there were many fine roots.

The cat litter itself was as solid and clean as the day I put it in - I mixed it into the new stuff for re-use. Those that were in Akadama were equally healthy to be honest but the akadama was 50% mush...and unusable.

Author:  Mariusz [ 11 Mar 2010, 21:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

this year I have used 50% Akadama (Kaizenbonsai.com - 14Ltr Bag - £9.50), 40% S-Te™ Bonsai Soil (Kaizenbonsai.com -12kg bag £9.95) which is something between Kiryu and pumice, and 10% bark.

I have to say that Akadama used without Kiryu became something like a mud after one Irish season on my exposed balcony. It lost its grade and turned into powder.

Author:  John M [ 11 Mar 2010, 21:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

I endorse your comments re catlit, Jerry, having repotted about 15 trees during the past week, (not, I hasten to add, in a 10 degree greenhouse, but in the garden, in the cold and the wind). Every tree just needed a slight shake over the bucket and all the catlit just fell out, leaving superb fibrous roots. Hardly needed a rake at all. Fantastic! SJ.

Author:  Jerry Norbury [ 11 Mar 2010, 21:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

Yes, my extensive, hand erected €49.95 plastic greenhouse comes from LIDL. It's about the size of a wendy-house (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_house). It DOES keep the bitter northerly winds off though.

Author:  jamie [ 11 Mar 2010, 22:11 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

i have found diatomite in the 3-7mm grade is great, a massive bag for about 18 bucks. im not sure whether you guys can get it over there, it is mind here so it could be cheaper to i suppose. i have found that some diatomacious earth can be powdery so stick to the 3-7mm with a mix of a commercial bonsai soil.

bout 80% diatomite 20% bonsai soil. i was putting zeolite in but found it wasnt necessary, i use the bonsai soil to soften the medium a little, i think the trees like it a little better :D

Author:  Jerry Norbury [ 12 Mar 2010, 17:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

The wendy-house was used extensively today again - another 20 or so trees were mistreated, including a number dug up from the garden. Photos to follow...

I must say that little greenhouse is the best solar powered thing I own. There was no sun at all today and yet the temperature inside was 13C whilst outside it was only 6C.

Image

Author:  John M [ 12 Mar 2010, 22:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

You should have a garden big enough to get a massive greenhouse like that in! I should be so lucky.... SJ.

Author:  Jerry Norbury [ 12 Mar 2010, 22:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

Surrey John wrote:
You should have a garden big enough to get a massive greenhouse like that in! I should be so lucky.... SJ.

Huge garden - 8m x 6m; yes John, when you've got it flaunt it, I say.
::lol:

Author:  John M [ 13 Mar 2010, 11:34 ]
Post subject:  Re: Re-pot delay

Oh Gawd!! :132doh: It's exactly the same size as mine!
But, presumably, you have territorial rights. SJ.

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