Michel:
Akadama is a superb medium for growing bonsai trees. The other components are all fine. From an aesthetic perspective, I simply do not like to see "white" or "red" in soil mixes--my quirks.
This is an interesting email, and I would encourage many of you to share your trees via similar links to webpages.
Although unsolicitied, the Hornbeam will require carving to create a desirable taper in your future design for the tree. The other large specimens are interesting, and some will benefit from major chopping and eventually carving after they take root.
Your passion for the art is inspiring. );-)
Cordially,
Michael Persiano
-----Original Message-----
From: Michel Bourgeois
To:
Sent: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 11:22:00 -0400
Subject: [IBC] Non organic Yamadori soil
Jim,
Jim:
I want to go to all this trouble because I want to feel that and this is the
only way to make it than I know.
http://internetbonsaiclub.org/compon...133/topic,5966
He said: " A year ago, at the direction of my teacher Boon Manakitivipart, I
started using an entirely inorganic soil mix. This past weekend, I repotted
the first of the trees that had gone into that mix.
Taking the first of these trees out of its pot and seeing the fantastic
results was certainly one of my most exciting moments in bonsai thus far.
....
Boon's mix is as follows:
1/3 sifted "soft" akadama
1/3 sifted red lava
1/3 sifted white agricultural pumice
I add a handful of sifted agricultural charcoal as well.
Obviously, this is a fast-draining mix and so if you are not accustomed to
such a mix, you need to adjust your watering accordingly. Also, with this
completely inorganic mix, you need to fertilize more than you would with an
inorganic mix. I put organic fertilizer cakes on the surface, and then
supplement with an organic liquid fertilizer (5-1-1 fish emulsion, roughly
weekly.)
I am really thrilled by the results I've gotten with this soil and
fertilizing regimen. Removing my trees from their pots for repotting last
weekend, and seeing the progress that these trees have made over the past
year, was a delight. I am very grateful to Boon for steering me in this
direction."
I went through the worst 16 years bonsai experiments you ever saw! After
this... I don't have any tree than I am proud of. The only potential one, in
2000, I traveled 9 hours driving (another 9 hours to come back) and went to
a master class with Collin Lewis in Boston (I live 3 hours north of
Montreal). But, after I dig off the tree from the pot, I had a bad surprise
to find an ugly root:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34...eamNow_Web.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34...amGoal_Web.jpg
It is nice yes... but it don't deserve the 1500$ it cost me!
So, now. I decided to change my approach. I make now what I call
"urbanYamadori" :-) I look on neighbourhood's landscape around where I live.
When I see nice trees, I knock at their doors and offer owners to replace
their "bad looking" trees for a "nice" nursery maple or fruit trees.
For now I found these:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34...CN4967-web.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34...CN4962-web.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34...CN4975-web.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34...k_DSCN5123.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34...o/DSCN5103.jpg
Later this day I will dig of a 55 y/o thuya 8 inches trunk, 3 feet tall.
This week end it will be a mugo pine, 12 inches trunk 4 feet tall, about 25
y/o.
This is why I want to grow them fast! If in 4 years I don't have bonsai I am
realy proud of it... I will change my bonsai passion for sewing or knitting!
:-)
Thank you for your help,
Michel
-----Message d'origine-----
De : Internet Bonsai Club ] De la part de
Jim Lewis
Envoyé : 28 septembre 2005 10:38
À :
Objet : [IBC] Non organic Yamadori soil
Michel Bourgeois wrote:
Oups!
I have looked this morning in Bonsai Today no. 88 about river sans and I
understand than this is not river sand than I have but regular sand. So,
it
is heavier. Is there a chance it will crush, because of the wait?
I hate being Canadian!!! I can't find any real river sand, pumice or
haydite
in this big hole!!! (Sorry, I just took 2 coffees this morning... I think
I
need 2 extras! Lol)
Example?: I will pay my cottonseed 18us$ and it will cost me 40us$
shipping!!!
Michel
It is not necessary to use cottonseed meal. Soy, corn, or
ANY other vegetable meal will work as well.
HOWEVER, I still fail to understand why you want to go to
all that trouble. If you want to do mostly organic, buy an
already made organic fertilizer. Supplement it occasionally
with a commercial houseplant fertilizer.
Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Nature
encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++
************************************************** ******************************
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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++