Best Pre-Mixed Soil

[Matty7]

Hi,

Just wondering if you guys have used either of these two Potting Mixes and could recommend either one or maybe even a 50:50 mix of the two?

https://www.bunnings.com.au/osmocote-10 ... x_p3010172

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bonsai-envi ... x_p3679319

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[KIRKY]

Hi Matt,
The bunnings bonsai mix is way too fine. If you want to use a pre mix. I have used the Bonsai mix from debco. You can get it from Masters. Other wise the bonsai nurseries will have bags of pre mix mediums.
Cheers
Kirky

[reidy320]

hi Matty,
I have used both, being from a place that is two hours from any real nursery, and to tell you the truth, I didn't really like either, they might not be to bad if you sift the fines out, even then all you really get is half a bag of half descent mix, and the one with zeolite in it, I had a real hard time finding the zeo that was supposed to be in that mix,
cheers Scott

[Black Knight]

Hi Matty7,
I do not recommend from Bunnings the Brunnings or the Osmocote brands as they are both too fine, however, the Bonsai Environment is the best of the pre-mix of all this lot in my opinion as it does have some coarseness & Zeolite in it.
Regards,
Black Knight

[Firecat]

Hi Matt,
The bunnings bonsai mix is way too fine. If you want to use a pre mix. I have used the Bonsai mix from debco. You can get it from Masters. Other wise the bonsai nurseries will have bags of pre mix mediums.
Cheers
Kirky

hi Matty,
I have used both, being from a place that is two hours from any real nursery, and to tell you the truth, I didn't really like either, they might not be to bad if you sift the fines out, even then all you really get is half a bag of half descent mix, and the one with zeolite in it, I had a real hard time finding the zeo that was supposed to be in that mix,
cheers Scott

Everybody has their favorite mix

The Bunnings as quoted is way too fine..too much coco fiber and very dusty and clogs/waterlogs everything.
I used to use Debco premix on it's own which is good but very heavy especially when you crock the bottom of the pot with solid grit.
Now..(last year or so ) I mix 10lt Debco, 5lt Debco Vermiculite,5lt Debco Perlite.
Let stand for a few days premixed and the Perlite soaks up a enough moisture to stop it floating out of the mix when you water in after a pot up.
I always have around 40lt made up.
I use this mix now for everything..Natives,Junies,Plums,Magnolias and so on.
Acid lovers like Azaleas and Gardenias I add to the above another half share of premium potting mix in the pot with added 'acidic fertilizer'.(half a soup spoon per Lt crushed to powder)
As calculations show you get around 20lt bulk at the weight of a 10lt bag of Debco and for good drainage I sieve out the fines and crock the pot with the cause material.
Most of the fines go back into the mix for packing around roots.
Since using this concoction I have 'no' water logging and excepts general tree fertilizer pellets and finer native fertilizers without wrecking the soil PH.
As I mentioned I've been using this for a year or so on every tree I own.
Any failures with dead trees have all be the result of brain fade mistakes when potting/pruning..'not the soil'.

Regards Steve

Regards Steve

[Matt S]

Hi Matt,

I notice the Osmocote mix also has a granular wetting agent mixed in. The grains can rapidly expand and shrink according to the water surrounding them and depending on the size and amount in the mix, this can result in pushing the tree around in the pot. I'd avoid it.

Matt.

[Matty7]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all the replies and for the information.

I will avoid the Bunnings stuff.

Thanks,

Matt