John:

"I hate to ask this, but...I lost my main client and I just got my wife
working so bonsai soil is low on the money list...how bad REALLY is a nice
big bag of oil dry from Northern Tools? Silted through some window screening
of course..."


Heinous. It will turn in to muck before summer. I would get you a 35 gallon
rubbermaid trash can and go to Maas nursery in Kemah. For about $10 you can
fill it with Haydite. Take it from the rain-washed material on top and you
could minimize fines...

"On top of that, what is the cheapest bark mulch or organic component?"

You can get a "landscaper's soil conditioner" from Walmart for about $1.99 a
bag.

While this is sacrelage (sp), there are those out there that do minimal sifting
or none at all but merely water thoroughly after repotting until the drainage
runs clear...

50-50 or 30-70 will work fine in our clime, watch the watering frequency if you
don't sift.

Give a shout by PM if you want more info...

Jim Stone
Galveston TX

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