AusBonsai

billa wrote:

paddles wrote:I like the Debco bonsai mix, but it's getting hard to get a hold of...

Yes definitely true...maybe it is a discontinued product? I must find out and let you know

Mitre 10 has it ! As a commercial mix this is good. Then places like the imagination tree and collecters corner have their own mixes. Clubs sometimes stock and sell to could be a good idea to get your clubs to do a collective buy. North West supplys mediums. Time to learn how to make your own. Theirs heaps of info here on how.

I use 'Searl's' Bonsai mix and Cactus & succulent mix 2-1 ratio. the 'Osmacote' Bonsai mix is way too fine.

chris

Specialized bonsai potting soil is just the usual standard potting soil placed in a smaller yet fancier bag and labelled "bonsai potting soil"

I got a bag from Bonsai sensation in Narre warrin, it seemed to drain really well. It is the same that they use for their trees, they just bag it up for you when you ask. My problem is I don't have room for ground growing so have every thing in pots to grow on. I used some Gardeners choice mix from Kmart, $6 a bag. It drained really well so might use it for growing on it bigger pots, then Bonsai sensation for bonsai pots if I ever get to putting trees in bonsai pots

Josh

ozzy wrote:Specialized bonsai potting soil is just the usual standard potting soil placed in a smaller yet fancier bag and labelled "bonsai potting soil"

Hello mate

chrisatrocky wrote:I use 'Searl's' Bonsai mix and Cactus & succulent mix 2-1 ratio. the 'Osmacote' Bonsai mix is way too fine.

chris

billa wrote:

Hackimoto wrote:Can I ask what brand it is please? If it is what I think, I will give you the run down on my experience with it.

Yes absolutely....

Well the bunnings near my house used to stock the white BEBCO packet...now they have changed it to the yellow Osmocote one.

So the soil in questions is the Yellow bag of Osmocote professional Bonsai mix.

Would love to hear your story!!

Well seeing that you asked. Quite a few years ago when I was working at a large retail nursery in Tweed Heads I used to order Searle's Bonsai potting mix for resale in the Bonsai section, as Debco was too expensive to freight from Melbourne. Each week it would arrive and I would open a bag to sample the quality. One week it would be pure gravel the next it would be little more than mud. After several complaints to them that I could not sell this to our customers, much less use it ourselves, they sent one of their sons down with about ten samples of product that might have been suitable. I picked out two that were suitable. For the next two orders I received what we had agreed upon, from there on I got gravel and mud again on a rotating, fortnightly basis. So, unless Searles have got their act together and are producing a good Bonsai mix, then I just buy their Premium potting mix and add or subtract river sand, cow manure or peat as needed for the species being potted.

I'd like to back up Hackamoto's comments regarding searle's bonsai mix. I bought two bags on different occasions and had two vastly different products but both woefully pitiful. It has also occurred with other searle's products including composts, frets and potting mixes. Never again. Other folks I've spoken to in the horticultural industry have said similar things.

By the way, I was told Debco was bought over by Scott's. Hence Debco products are unavailable at the Big Green Shed. Can anyone else back those claims?

Yes, I have to agree that 'Searls' Bonsai mix is not a consistant product, hence the adding of cactus & succulent mix. Even after this I still may have to add washed decomposed granite. If you have the means, I would suggest to mix your own soil. If you rely on a commercial product, be warned it want be the same all the time, and you may need to add to it some times.

Chris

anttal63 wrote:

ozzy wrote:Specialized bonsai potting soil is just the usual standard potting soil placed in a smaller yet fancier bag and labelled "bonsai potting soil"

Hello mate

Hello back

billa wrote:

paddles wrote:I like the Debco bonsai mix, but it's getting hard to get a hold of...

Yes definitely true...maybe it is a discontinued product? I must find out and let you know

Hi Folks,


Tony explained that Mitre 10 has the Debco mix which is great...however, before I was aware of Ant's reply I called Debco and asked the lady to email me which places in Melbourne who stock the bonsai mix (yes I think she wanted to kill me!!)

She replied this morning with:

Hi,

Thank you for your enquiry.

I have listed below Nurseries that stock Debco Bonsai Potting Mix.

The Greenery Heidleberg and Templestowe
Molinos Nsy _ Hampton
Garden World – Keysborough
Town and Country Nsy – Malvern
Fitzroy Nsy
Banksia Nursery – Wantirna Sth
Garden Lovers On Wattletree
Wombat Nsy – Moolap
Hardys M10 – Pakenham
Faggs M10 – Geelong South
Masters – Burnside
Masters – Braybrook
Vasili’s Garden – Coburg

With any of the nurseries I have listed it would be wise to phone them before visiting to ensure they have the Bonsai in stock.

Hope this helps you,
Kind regards
Mellisa
Debco Pty Ltd

Hopefully the fans of Debco can benefit from this information...I checked my super cool happy John Naka good time professional bonsai mix from Osmocote and its still soggy as!!! I had the bag on my balcony and open mind you!!! Well I gues il be using that for my tomatoes

Hi guys, I use a product called Richgro palm & fern potting mix. It works well for most of my trees but it's no longer available at Bunnings.

kerrian