Hi Nina
'Most' (crap IMO) are potted in cheap compost- usually a mix of coir (cocoa
shell husks or something) and dodgy stuff that nurseries bung in compost
mixes in this country.
It is almost certainly a blend of Spaghum moss peat (with celts and other
delights!) and or coir, grit and other delightful additives. Some nurseries
also insist on using John Innes or topsoil (which is waaaaaaaaaaay too
heavy)
But most bonsai nurseries will repot into decent soil mixes, all claiming
that thiers is the best. These are usually Peat/Grit mixes in various
proportions or Acadama/grit or pure acadama.
Not sure if this helps, but like you probably get over there, we get a
massive variation of composts........
Stick with telling them to use freer draining and drier mixes. that way
maybe thier trees will grow!! hahahahaha
n

Regards
Nick Rôbin
07747 635301

.................................................. ...........................
.................................................. .
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nina Shishkoff"

Whenever I get a query from someone in England and they fill out the "soil
type" blank on my diagnosis form, they invariably say the soil is "peaty".
Do they mean the same thing by peat that Americans do? England is home
to numerous peat bogs, many of them complete with mummified celts, so I
assume they mean "decomposed sphagnum". However, I can't believe that
every bonsai sold in England is potted in the wrong mix. English people,
can you help me out? Otherwise I'm going to keep telling your compatriots
to repot in a coarser, well-draining soil.


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

Whenever I get a query from someone in England and they fill out the "soil
type" blank on my diagnosis form, they invariably say the soil is "peaty".
Do they mean the same thing by peat that Americans do? England is home
to numerous peat bogs, many of them complete with mummified celts, so I
assume they mean "decomposed sphagnum". However, I can't believe that
every bonsai sold in England is potted in the wrong mix. English people,
can you help me out? Otherwise I'm going to keep telling your compatriots
to repot in a coarser, well-draining soil.

Nina Shishkoff

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