On Sep 27, 2005, at 3:13 PM, Michael Persiano wrote:

I have had many individuals bring me trees with root zone problems
related to the "fines" in lava stone-based soil mixes. The "fines"
seem to create drainage problems.

For this reason, I am not an advocate of the reddish lava stone mixes
that I have seen.

Red (or, less commonly, brown, or black) lava is a common ingredient in
bonsai soils used in Northern California. I agree that the fines will
cause problems, but once they are screened out or washed away, the
stone doesn't break down further. (

I use a hose & nozzle to spray my 5/16 lava over a screen, one shovel
full at a time.
Jim

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