Koreshoff Bonsai Soil Mix

[ADO]

I am currently reading througth volumes of Bonsai Down Under Magazine (which is awesome with LOCAL content). I am also reading Deborah Koreshoff, Bonsai, ts Art, Science, History and Philosophy. there is reference made to a recommended soil mixture using sand/gravel/cow manure (Koreshoff mix). I also have access to free expanded clay balls (family owns Hydro business) so was thinking of incorporating these as part of that mix cause they hold water and nutrients.

As all of these materials are cheap and in abundance locally I am interested in using this mix for when I do my first repotting of trees come spring - namely junipers and figs....I was also thinking of using this mix for growing on tree too.

we don't get the prized diatomite here and akadama is too expensive for me. I figure if pioneers of Australian bonsai worked this out to be a successful mix, then who am I to question????
Does anybody still use this mix and if so, has it been good or bad for trees.



thanks for reading and answers/advice much appreciated.

cheers

Adrian

[Hackimoto]

I used this basic mix from 1963 and have tried various other commercial mixes over the years with varied success. I still use the mix adjusting it accordingly as needed for fruiting, broad-leafed evergreens and pines/ junipers as needed. The point to remember is to make sure that the cow manure is well aged (preferably from the paddock and not a feed lot, as the latter can be not very fibrous which is what is needed)and the soil content is a good friable loam with plenty of humus and the coarse river sand is horticultural grade (not fine). Sometimes the simple natural recipes work just as well or better than expensive alternatives. It is also a good grounding for a beginner to cut their teeth on, so to speak, as Koreshoff's recipe also gives all the reasons for the three components.

[Rintar]

You would know more than me. And a no nothing posting is often corrected by those that actually know. I'd say its fine for ficus at least. especially in spring

[Rintar]

Problems with posting from phone it doesn't always refresh

[ADO]

I used this basic mix from 1963 and have tried various other commercial mixes over the years with varied success. I still use the mix adjusting it accordingly as needed for fruiting, broad-leafed evergreens and pines/ junipers as needed. The point to remember is to make sure that the cow manure is well aged (preferably from the paddock and not a feed lot, as the latter can be not very fibrous which is what is needed)and the soil content is a good friable loam with plenty of humus and the coarse river sand is horticultural grade (not fine). Sometimes the simple natural recipes work just as well or better than expensive alternatives. It is also a good grounding for a beginner to cut their teeth on, so to speak, as Koreshoff's recipe also gives all the reasons for the three components.

thanks Hackimoto - what do you mean by friable loam?

[Hackimoto]

By Friable loam, I mean a dark, rich, humus laden soil. Not one that is clayish or overly sandy.

[MelaQuin]

I used the Koreshoff soil for years until the nursery closed. FANTASTIC results for ALL trees, conifers, figs, fruiting and flowering. The crushed stone was superb for holding the majority of trees in the pots without wiring, curl grubs couldn't exist in it and the trees thrived. When Koreshoff's bit the bullet I switched to Lee Wilson's mix which was basically the same yet so radically wrong that I ended up repotting trees out of it. I now use prepared soil like Ray Nesci's and add diatamite to it to make it lighter and coarser. I use the same soil for all my trees, elms, olive, pyras, figs, natives, tridents and rarely have any problem.

Sometimes the water won't soak in. I would then scarify the surface and/or dunk the tree in a container so it could soak for a few minutes. I am in Sydney, I don't have radical climatic conditions and while I don't feel this is as optimal as the Koreshoff blend it is lighter and easier to lift and since you can't get Koreshoff's you have to make do with what you can get.

[Pup]

Used it for years, but found the cow manure went to sludge after a while changed to coco peat, no problems after that. A quality potting commercial potting mix and carnarvon river sand.
No Problems now.

This is in Perth where it is a lot drier less humidty ( not at the moment I am happy to say)

Also we now have a ready supply of Akadama and Kanuma from Japan.

Cheers Pup

[Scott Roxburgh]

The Koreshoff mix isn't too bad, just REALLY heavy!

With the cheapest supply of Akadama in the country, I'd give at least one bag a go.

[ADO]

I used the Koreshoff soil for years until the nursery closed. FANTASTIC results for ALL trees, conifers, figs, fruiting and flowering. The crushed stone was superb for holding the majority of trees in the pots without wiring, curl grubs couldn't exist in it and the trees thrived. When Koreshoff's bit the bullet I switched to Lee Wilson's mix which was basically the same yet so radically wrong that I ended up repotting trees out of it. I now use prepared soil like Ray Nesci's and add diatamite to it to make it lighter and coarser. I use the same soil for all my trees, elms, olive, pyras, figs, natives, tridents and rarely have any problem.

Sometimes the water won't soak in. I would then scarify the surface and/or dunk the tree in a container so it could soak for a few minutes. I am in Sydney, I don't have radical climatic conditions and while I don't feel this is as optimal as the Koreshoff blend it is lighter and easier to lift and since you can't get Koreshoff's you have to make do with what you can get.

I have some small pines in a mix of blue metal and quality potting mix.They are thriving, even though I re-potted them as seedlings in the height of summer last year . Might try the Koreshoff mix for those trees I am growing on and putting into grow boxes. I only have 2 trees that will be going into bonsai pots so maybe I can try some Akadama mixed with grit and coco fibre as I know Pup's trees do very well in that mix.

cheers

Adrian

[ADO]

I used the Koreshoff soil for years until the nursery closed. FANTASTIC results for ALL trees, conifers, figs, fruiting and flowering. The crushed stone was superb for holding the majority of trees in the pots without wiring, curl grubs couldn't exist in it and the trees thrived. When Koreshoff's bit the bullet I switched to Lee Wilson's mix which was basically the same yet so radically wrong that I ended up repotting trees out of it. I now use prepared soil like Ray Nesci's and add diatamite to it to make it lighter and coarser. I use the same soil for all my trees, elms, olive, pyras, figs, natives, tridents and rarely have any problem.

Sometimes the water won't soak in. I would then scarify the surface and/or dunk the tree in a container so it could soak for a few minutes. I am in Sydney, I don't have radical climatic conditions and while I don't feel this is as optimal as the Koreshoff blend it is lighter and easier to lift and since you can't get Koreshoff's you have to make do with what you can get.

I have some small pines in a mix of blue metal and quality potting mix.They are thriving, even though I re-potted them as seedlings in the height of summer last year . Might try the Koreshoff mix for those trees I am growing on and putting into grow boxes. I only have 2 trees that will be going into bonsai pots so maybe I can try some Akadama mixed with grit and coco fibre as I know Pup's trees do very well in that mix.

cheers

Adrian

[ADO]

Used it for years, but found the cow manure went to sludge after a while changed to coco peat, no problems after that. A quality potting commercial potting mix and carnarvon river sand.
No Problems now.

This is in Perth where it is a lot drier less humidty ( not at the moment I am happy to say)

Also we now have a ready supply of Akadama and Kanuma from Japan.

Cheers Pup

do you add some Akadama to the mix Pup?

[cuwire]

To those members using cow manure...

What product do you buy at the nursery .... Composted... Enriched ..??

Also mention was made of Lee Wilson's mix .. I never had the chance to use the Koreshoff mix but had absolutely no problems with Lee's mix ... what do you see as the difference ?

And while I am at it - can one buy akadama in Sydney.

Cheers David

[Pup]

Sorry ADO, I now use akadama in place of the potting mix and it works well.

Cheers Pup

[ADO]

Sorry ADO, I now use akadama in place of the potting mix and it works well.

Cheers Pup

Pup, thanks for replying. I figure that I only really have two trees to repot into bonsai pots so I could conceivably try some Akadama with grit/coco fibre and it wouldn't break the bank. Might head to P.Odin's this weekend to grab some components ready for spring. As for the trees I will be growing on, I might just stick to a mix of blue metal/gravel and organics because its cheap and the trees I have in it now are going great guns. Will be interesting to see how it all goes. thanks again

take care

Adrian