Hoffman bonsai soil mix

I've been reading on the container gardening forum about soils for containers, and thinking about what to use for bonsai. I'm worried that what I've used for bonsai this past year (my first year) is not a good choice, being too fine and peat-based. In the spring I'd like to repot my plants. I have some Hoffman bonsai soil that is sold in garden supply centers. Attached is a picture. I like the appearance of this stuff. The package says it is Haydite (expanded shale), sand pebble, aged pine bark, turface. Does anyone have experience with this mix? I know it would be expensive, but I only have a few plants. The question is would it be good for my bonsai? Thanks

There is nothing wrong with it, other than the fact that it should be screened through a 10 mesh screen or insect screening to remove the fines. You can make your own for a fraction of the cost of the Hoffman's.

Al

Al,
I definitely have it on my list to try to make up your recommended container mix, but I don't know where I'm going to find the fine pine bark yet. I'll start looking in the Spring, but I've never seen anything like it in the local stores in the past.

How much do you need to make?

Al

tapla, I too need to make a bushel or so of a good bonsai soil mix, and I also cannot find good pine ( or other) bark fines mix. I live 130 miles from Wenatchee, nearest fair sized city, and I don't know of a good soil additive supply store there.

Donna

Do you have access to Turface and crushed granite?

Al

I have a bag of the Turface substitute, the diatomaceous earth that the auto shop sells. I can get crushed rock that isn't granite, it is the local stuff from the glaciers, and I'll have to sift it because fine stuff is mixed in, but I figured it would work. Or I can buy poultry grit if that is better. Just the pine bark seems to be the big stumbling block. I saw in old posts on the Container forum that Home Depot used to have some, but then last year, people said it wasn't the same stuff anymore. I have four bonsai and a few JM's that I'd like to use it on. So, about two bushels would get these all repotted. If I use the Hoffman bonsai mix, I'll just do the bonsai.

Is the poultry grit crushed granite or cherrystone, or crushed shells?

I realize that Maine isn't a hotbed of orchid growing activity, but do you know of any operations that carry white fir bark for orchid growers? You'd be looking for it in fine, which would be around 1/8 - 1/4" size. I buy it in 3 cu ft bags, and the last batch cost $15/bag, but I bought 20 bags, I would expect that if you could find it, it would be around $20/3 cu ft.

Al

I've used fine pumice in my orchid mixes in the past. Seems like very useful stuff. What do you think of it? Maybe too pricey for our purposes here. ($25 for 1/3 cubic foot, which sure isn't much) picture: http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/pgs/_popup.cfm?productid=7239

The poultry grit that I can get is Manna Pro, which is supposed to be crushed granite. But I haven't priced it yet. I'll go to the Agway this weekend and get a bag so I can see it.

At a new online bonsai site I found this weekend, www.nebonsai.com, I found fine pine bark, 2.5 gallons for $10.40. It is near Boston, not sure how much shipping would be. Does that seem like a reasonable price?

FWIW - Sports Fields, Inc. in Monmouth (207-933-3547 * 45 miles) carries Turface MVP, and the John Deere Landscapes dealer in Portland (207-772-7173 * 75 miles) has or can get Allsport - same product as Turface MVP.

I'll leave you to figure out the granite, but try rural feed stores. Ask for Gran-I-Grit in grower size or #2 cherrystone.

If you're into orchids, hit up your suppliers for 1/4" white fir bark.

Equal portions by volume of the screened Turface, granite, and fir bark would make a VERY good soil that costs a fraction of what Hoffman's will cost.

With fir bark instead of pine bark, it looks like this:

Al

Al,
My only orchid supplier doesn't have it, but I'll try to find others. In the meantime, I can order some of the pine bark from nebonsai. And you would also put in some slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote, or not?

I'll leave that up to you. I wouldn't. There is much to be said for having complete control over what your plants get (nutrients), how much, and when. You relinquish that control with CRFs.

It's also very important that you read the labels on the fertilizer package so you can make sure your plants are getting ALL the essential nutrients. Many soluble fertilizers are lacking in 2 or more essential nutrients, and a deficiency of any ONE is enough to inhibit growth.

Al

Just popping in here with a suggestion for those looking for bonsai potting media to make up their own mix. Although this is primarily a source for orchid potting materials, they carry some of what is being discussed here, and in different grades:

http://www.repotme.com/orchid-media/index.html

Hope this helps!

Mamasita - please don't think I'm disparaging your offering, I'm not. I think it was really nice of you to think of the folks reading the thread, but I need to say something. The materials at that site are extremely expensive, and can be found in bags from suppliers at a fraction of the price. The only reason I'm even mentioning this is because I don't want people to look at the price of the materials at that site and become reluctant to take on making their own soils because they think they're too expensive.

For example, the fine fir bark there is $27.60 for 2-1/2 gallons, or 11.00/gallon, and you can buy it in 3 cu ft bags for around $17, which figures out to be about 75 cents per gallon.

Sorry. :-(

You can actually make your own soil for about 10-15% of the price of Hoffman's. I make a little over 3 cu ft (just under 25 gallons) of screened soil for under $25 and a little elbow grease.

Al

No problem. I only mentioned this because there are a few of us who have difficulty finding some of the materials we need located near us - especially some of us in the northeast. I realize you can buy many supplies in huge quantities but if you have only a plant or two, then you must either find a way to store the materials or use them another way (my personal favorite). I make my own orchid media and tailor the mix according to what each plant requires. Problem is, some are semi terrestrial, some have fine roots requiring a smaller bark, some have enormous roots and need something different - you get the picture. I also amend the mixes for the non-orchids and try to do the same with my lame attempts with indoor bonsai. Just figured I'd put in my two cents that there are companies willing to sell smaller quantities for those who don't have the facilities to store larger and varied amounts of product. No offense taken. Sorry to intrude!

Mamasita - the last thing I wanted to do was hurt your feelings. It sure wasn't an intrusion - we all know you were being helpful, and I'm sure we're all grateful for your thoughtfulness. I hope we're ok?

Al