AusBonsai

These are some of a many Yamadori Pinus Nigra Austriaca root prune and repots done today .These were collected last year and potted into 70-30 mix of red scoria and aged pine bark while others were potted into pure red scoria .It was washed through 50% shade cloth to remove the mud and then used as washed ,The results show i have no need to trial any other materials for potting of trees/Bonsai in my place , simply add pine bark to retain more moisture .In 15 years of collecing yamadori up here i have never had results like thisI repotted the Chinese elms in the same scoria and in potting mix , the scrioa wins hands down .They both had good roots but the scoria mix had an evenly distributed root mass , not knotted and tangled as in the potting mix , The down side , well i have to repot all my trainers ,no doubt they will be almost pot bound , but very healthy .Cheers Alpineart

Very positive results, I think the particle size has played a part in this.

Very interesting Alpine, and thanks. Did you use a specific size of scoria?
Watto

Hi Psymo , i think there is more to it than just particle size . I have used many types of particles 10mm minus and nothing resulted in root growth like this . Yes air flow is one factor, mineral content would also be another , moisture retention would have to be factored in as well . To develop roots like this on any collected Nigra i have had , takes several years not in the first 12 months after collection . This scoria and scoria blend has been 3 years in use with well over 350 results showing very good to excellent , now 99% of the plants here have at least 70% red scoria and some of the grow beds have a blended mix as well . Cheers Alpineart

Hi Watto , the size used was 10mm minus with the mud washed out using a piece of 50%shade cloth to retain all but the 1.5mm minus . The scoria is "soft red" not the "red marble" which is hard like granite . Cheers Alpineart

when can i buy one?

Terrific results Alpine, thanks for sharing them!
I use diatomite with pine bark sifted out of potting mix (with no added wetting agents or ferts). I guess the only real difference would be the mineral content that is in the scoria,
Have you tried diatomite? And if so how does it compare to the scoria?
Thanks, Dario.

Dario wrote:Terrific results Alpine, thanks for sharing them!
I use diatomite with pine bark sifted out of potting mix (with no added wetting agents or ferts). I guess the only real difference would be the mineral content that is in the scoria,
Have you tried diatomite? And if so how does it compare to the scoria?
Thanks, Dario.

I use Soria as a lyer in the bottom of all my Grow pots to stop the diatomite falling out the base.

I woud also be interested in the difference in growth difference between Diatomite and Scoria

Ken

Psymo wrote:when can i buy one?

Hi Psymo , buy one ? Pine ?. Cheers Alpine

Hi Dario and Kc , I have never tried any bonsai potting materials as that would have taken the challenge out of the challenge , so i can't comment on something i have never tried and tested myself . Cheers Fella's .Alpineart