AusBonsai

Sorry Josh. Damn autocorrects.. That should have read "Far more porous"...
Damn FAT fingers!

LOL.

Josh wrote:What benefits do you get from pumice Scott? I've never tried it. Josh.

The benefit is a pot full of finely ramified, healthy roots.

As for the difference between Pumice and Diatomite...with my watering and fertilising, I get healthier roots from Pumice.

And if it is good enough for Boon, Michael, Ryan, Peter, and a large number of Japanese growers, it is good enough for me.

Just to throw in something different, especially for those who believe in KISS.

I have used a very simple mix for over 20 years and found it works perfectly well for all trees including natives.

The mix consists of 50% of a reasonably good quality potting soil and 50% river sand. To this (at time of potting) is added some blood and bone to assist the soil fauna and flora to thrive, this will assist in improving the uptake of nutrients by the tree. To this is added a slow release fertiliser such as Osmocote or similar.

I have found that in Sydney I get excellent growth response from this mix. It is also relatively inexpensive, a concern when you have a large collection to re-pot. Drainage is excellent and it can withstand periods of either high heat or exceptionally wet periods.

I never add pebble material as it provides no benefits to the soil.

Dennis Mc

dennismc wrote:Just to throw in something different, especially for those who believe in KISS.

I have used a very simple mix for over 20 years and found it works perfectly well for all trees including natives.

The mix consists of 50% of a reasonably good quality potting soil and 50% river sand. To this (at time of potting) is added some blood and bone to assist the soil fauna and flora to thrive, this will assist in improving the uptake of nutrients by the tree. To this is added a slow release fertiliser such as Osmocote or similar.

I have found that in Sydney I get excellent growth response from this mix. It is also relatively inexpensive, a concern when you have a large collection to re-pot. Drainage is excellent and it can withstand periods of either high heat or exceptionally wet periods.

I never add pebble material as it provides no benefits to the soil.

Dennis Mc

Although the great disadvantage of your mixis that it wouldnt deter curl grubs.

Diatomite is full of microscopic tiny holes, where Pumice is larger holes and cavities you can see

Ken