AusBonsai

Hi Brett,
What is the clay you mention in the soil mix. I am having a bit of trouble up here finding gravel that I like. So far I am using crusher dust, washed and sifted, but its a lot of work. Do you have a contact for zeolite.
As you know I grow my allocasurina cunninghami( river oak) in water especially in summer or after potting. The only ones I have lost after repotting are ones that I haven't put in a tray of water.
I don't think huge taper is quite as imortant in casurina as some other species, most do not show great amount of taper, although I have seen some on river flats near Taree that have a flared base similar to swamp cypress only much smaller for the height of the tree.
Lynette

crusher dust is lime stone. Not all plants like high levels limestone.
Best bet, look at maidenwell its a good size and hold moisture well.
If your really stuck, drainage sand, if they have no idea, tell them its the sand irragators and landscapers use at the end of drains and around pipes at the bottom of retaining walls. Doesn't hold moisture as well, but nice size particles.

Hey Lynette
I was a bit suprised you asking me were to get zeolite as you sent me to Bonsai Enviroment to get mine Then I rememberd you have moved north
Hopefully they have a distributor near you
Contact details here
http://www.cmzeolites.com.au/contact.html
The clay is from a kitty litter I found has Attapulgite clay. It is like turface I believe. It is called Chandlers Kitty litter. I get mine from woolies.I thought it was cheap but at $5 for 5kg but then I added this up to a large bag and it neads sifting.
I do like another that you should be able to get it is Aquatic potting mix from Bunnings. It is another turface like rock. This seems better quality to me and I have just realised at about $10 a 10kg bag it is better value than chandlers because it will not need sifting.(edit) I will get you a pic if you need one.
Have you looked for diatomite up there http://www.maidenwell.com/ They are a Queensland operation maybey they have a distributor near you?

Crusher dust yuck that is worse than blue metal Can you get crushed granite or coarse sand. They need alot of sifting as well but at least they look better
Brett

Crusher dust is not limestone. It comes from a basalt rock and is just a fine form of blue metal. I have been using a 5 mm form of this for years. The club I belonged to buys a trailer load and bags it up for members.
It provides the physical pore water spaces and does not break down, but I cannot get this size here. I was told I could but when we got it home from the quarrie it was to large and I had to sift it. I hate sifting. The crusher dust also has to be sifted only in the opposite size. The fine particles that aggragate need to be removed, so the stones do their function.This is why I am looking at an alternative.
Lynette

then crusher dust must be different. Sound like what your using is the stuff they use in asphalt. The crusher dust sold in SA is limestone.

Asus101 wrote:then crusher dust must be different. Sound like what your using is the stuff they use in asphalt. The crusher dust sold in SA is limestone.

Each State has a different name for it, it seems. Here in WA it is called Blue Metal fines. It does need to be washed though as it has a lot of dust in it. Pup

Ours is white, limestone and awfull!
some people here like to use a small scoop in with junipers, although they cant tell me why.

Asus101 wrote:Ours is white, limestone and awfull!
some people here like to use a small scoop in with junipers, although they cant tell me why.

To increase pH?

I've read elsewhere that dolomite is often added to pines to increase the pH, so im assuming this is a similar thing occurring here Ben.


JayC

It has been sugested to me(Jim Lewis) and I have defeered this to others(who agreed) that the PH of bonsai soil is not important. The explination being that PH of soil is an indication of available nutrients and as we fertilise regualy with bonsai then PH should not be a consideration. It was also stated though that this was not the same for Acid loving plants like the azalea.
I am left unsure but I do not use my PH tester I bought

Hi Lyn,we use local 3mm Quincan(scoria) up here in NQ and it's ideal at that size.Try the larger nurseries and raw material suppliers,Cheers Mick.