Bonsai - Potting Soil

Potting soil by itself cannot be used to grow bonsai trees. You need Bonsai Soil. However, some bonsai soil mixes contian potting soil.

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[jake4bonsai]

Thats fine, i dont look for arguements on here like some but pumice doesnt float. The italians use only pumice with no additives and with great results. It just depends on the climate where you live. Pumice is just an easier to find cheaper replacement for lava wich works. Its not exactly the same but if it came down to me having to search the world over or smash grill lava rocks with a hammer, id be using drystall.

[wolfmeditation]

@jake4bonsai Well, if the pumice is not as light as perlite, then it might just be a good alterntive. I don't know, I never worked with it before. It might indeed be better.

Oh, and they're not grill lava rocks. They're sold as outdoor decorative rocks in home improvement stores... but... yeah, the intended use doesn't really matter does it? Theres a lot of interesting soil ingredients and mixes out there.

You can get small pre-crushed red lava rock online, I just choose not to.

[jake4bonsai]

I meant to replace the lava. Sorry about that. its basicly the same as lava and comes in a 50lb bag and is very inexspensive. And if you sift it you can get 3 different sizes out of it although it doesnt have to be sifted except maybe to get the heavy dust off.

[wolfmeditation]

@jake4bonsai It's very different from red lava rock. There is no replacement for it. We can argue forever, but I won't change my mind. I found a soil component that works for me and I don't plan on changing it. Lava rock is more durable, heavier (wont float during watering), and has sharper edges than pumice

[jake4bonsai]

So why dont you just use Drystall? Its sold at almost any feed or farm supply across the U.S. Its sold as a product for putting in horse stalls to keep the moisture down. It never breaks down is washable and reusable and is acually good for plant cell structure over time in releasing sillica. Its 100% pure natural pumice and is an excelant bonsai soil ingrediant!

[wolfmeditation]

@jake4bonsai Red Lava rock is better. It is heavier so it won't flow all to the top like pumice. (Yes, red lava rock and pumice are very different). I imagine that Perlite is similar to Drystall (judging by appearance). I use perlite, but very sparingly, since as mentioned mostly flows to the top.

[KeeennethVo395]

Thanks man, pretty informative for beginners like me.

[jake4bonsai]

@wolfmeditation Yes you can get crushed lava rock online but the shipping costs 4 times more than the bag of lava itself. I think its rediculous! You can usually get your local feed or farm supply to get Drystall for you at no additional costs if they dont already carry it. Anywhere that sells products for the care of horses will have or be able to get it. Good stuff bud!

[jake4bonsai]

It is also a very good and cheap alternative to akadama and like i said it will never deteriorate like akadama will from weather and watering and such. As good and as cheap as it is it may be worth your while to pick up a bag and just try it out. If you like it great, if not use what you have and dont buy it again. Its also very good for adding drainage to potting mixes and peat mixes. I would never mention a product to someone that i didnt use and aprove of myself.

[jake4bonsai]

Oh yes bud, that just as i assumed. Dont feel bad. Alot of people compare pumice to perlite and they are two very different things. They arent even made from the same materials. Perlite is a man made product and is very light and brittle. Pumice is a natural occuring mineral just as lava rock. They are both forms of volcanic rock and pumice will not float. Its too heavey. It is also very hard and will never break down. Its washable, reusuable indefintly and is even sterilizable.

[TheBonsaiStudent]

all these discussions are very good, thanks, I will try Lava rock, and Drystall too