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Old 28-09-2005, 06:56 PM
Michel Bourgeois
 
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Thank you Michael.



Now I have another problem… I want to use 7mm akadama for growing and
Turface is only 3mm! Does it exist bigger turface?



I won’t use sand… I am afraid of the weight, as you know akadama is fragile
and even more when it’s wet and I think the peebles will crush the akadama.



So… I have only one solution for my this year yamadori… pure akadama!



Thank you for all your help



Michel



_____

De : ]
Envoyé : 28 septembre 2005 11:59
À :
;
Objet : [IBC] Non organic Yamadori soil



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
mailto:BONSAI%40HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM ] De la part de

Jim Lewis

Envoyé : 28 septembre 2005 10:38

À : mailto:BONSAI%40HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM

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 -
mailto:jklewis%40nettally.com -
Tallahassee, FL - Nature

encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson



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****

++++Sponsored, in part, by Bob Pastorio++++

************************************************** **************************
****

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http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --

+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
mailto:BONSAI-REQUEST%40HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++


************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Bob Pastorio++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ:
http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++