In all the discussions I have read concerning the subject of soil the ingredients are usually akadama, or pine/fir bark and some sort of grit, sand or lava rock. On the cover of Bonsai Today #82 there is a Chinese Quince and I was wondering if anyone can t
ell by looking at it what the top covering or soil in that specimen is. It looks like plain dirt and I was wondering what people use to get that look for their trees. The mix that I use works well for me but looks completely different from that. Just curio
us, not a life threatening question.

--I crucified my hate and
held the world within my hands--
Neal Ross-Marysville CA


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

Typically a thin layer of fine particles, in this case akadama fines, is
layed on the surface for appearance and to provide a better habitat for any
mosses that might be placed there or that might spring up from windblown
spores.

David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
Bunabayashi Bonsai On The World Wide Web: http://www.bunabayashi.com
email:


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ]On Behalf
Of Neal Ross
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 11:53 AM
To:
Subject: [IBC] soil question


In all the discussions I have read concerning the subject of soil
the ingredients are usually akadama, or pine/fir bark and some
sort of grit, sand or lava rock. On the cover of Bonsai Today #82
there is a Chinese Quince and I was wondering if anyone can tell
by looking at it what the top covering or soil in that specimen
is. It looks like plain dirt and I was wondering what people use
to get that look for their trees. The mix that I use works well
for me but looks completely different from that. Just curious,
not a life threatening question.

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

"Neal Ross" wrote in message
news:000801c2eb13$6141bf80$5f4aabcd@computer...
In all the discussions I have read concerning the subject of
soil the ingredients are usually akadama, or pine/fir bark and
some sort of grit, sand or lava rock. On the cover of Bonsai
Today #82 there is a Chinese Quince and I was wondering if anyone
can tell by looking at it what the top covering or soil in that
specimen is. It looks like plain dirt and I was wondering what
people use to get that look for their trees. The mix that I use
works well for me but looks completely different from that. Just
curious, not a life threatening question.


I think they're putting a thin layer of the sifted fines from
their soil mixing, or some peat moss/ potting soil over the top,
and smoothing it over with a paint brush before they take the
photo.

I think I read this somewhere, but I don't recall where.

John Jones wrote:

"Neal Ross" wrote in message
news:000801c2eb13$6141bf80$5f4aabcd@computer...
In all the discussions I have read concerning the subject of
soil the ingredients are usually akadama, or pine/fir bark and
some sort of grit, sand or lava rock. On the cover of Bonsai
Today #82 there is a Chinese Quince and I was wondering if anyone
can tell by looking at it what the top covering or soil in that
specimen is. It looks like plain dirt and I was wondering what
people use to get that look for their trees. The mix that I use
works well for me but looks completely different from that. Just
curious, not a life threatening question.


I think they're putting a thin layer of the sifted fines from
their soil mixing, or some peat moss/ potting soil over the top,
and smoothing it over with a paint brush before they take the
photo.

I think I read this somewhere, but I don't recall where.

On this tree it´s fine akadama (you can use fine pumice or grit as well)
probably in the 1-2 mm range. I would not use potting soil as a top
covering, it´s too fine. I read in a BT issue that you should change the
top covering every year even if the tree is repotted every other year or
more seldom. It makes sense scince the small particles dissolves faster.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden

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