AusBonsai

Can I get some wisdom on this..

I hear that there are generally 2 types of scoria.. soft and hard

I have a small bag at the family home.. seems hard and brittle though you could snap it in half if it was quite oblong.. is this soft or hard scoria?

Where would I obtain soft scoria from and what would people mix this with generally?

lol i wondered this also, but i think the hard ones aren't so brittle so you most likely have the soft ones that people generally use i get mine scoria from daisy's garden supply in ringwood http://www.daisysgarden.com.au/ , im not associated with them at all, but they stock 5mm minus

Hi Guys , soft red scoria is soft enough to crumble under pressure but not between the fingers , the fines are used as as in tennis court toppings . Hard Marble scoria is very brittle and shatters like glass , it needs smacking with a steel hammer to crush . Beveridge Quarries is the main supplier , they can be found on a Google search , 7 mm screenings is available , 10mm minus and 5mm minus have 50% fines and mud so it need washing and becomes very wasteful . I wash it through 30%shade cloth which removed the 2.0mm minus and mud , the 2mm minus makes great seed propagating mix or added to my grow beds .Then run this through an 8mm sieve .

I have only just become aware of the 7mm screenings and plan a trip to Melbourne to purchase a couple of tonnes on inspection or i will load up with 10mm minus for re-potting this years . I use 10mm minus as it give various washed grades to use in all my Potted plants from 2 man tree's to shohin , even collected Yamadori are planted into a scoria blend .Times running out unfortunately so i had better get the lead out . Hope this helps .

Cheers Alpineart

Very helpful indeed much appreciated!