When growing out trees in large pots for thickness... what about using root
mulch as the soil medium?? instead of using prepared bonsai soil in large
quantities (say for a five gallon planter) the mulch would be lighter....
would not compact like potting soil and provide aeration and nutrition. not
to mention it would be cheaper. i have a japanese maple that i planted in
orchid mix (very mulch like) 2 years ago... and it seems to be happy. maybe
it wouldnt allow for root ramification. (and i havent seen this maples
roots in two years either) just a thought.... for the approaching spring...
i would think it would be easier as far as watering goes too... since it
would hold water longer

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In a message dated 2/3/2003 7:03:05 PM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

When growing out trees in large pots for thickness... what about using root
mulch as the soil medium??

some of the problems with mulch depending upon the origin of the
material used a
1. if it is not broken down it can rob nitrogen and other nutrients
from the plants growing in it, requiring more fertilizer to get the same rate
of growth.
2. if the mulch has not been heated to a high enough temperature it
can contain pathogens that will attack your plants.
3. depending upon the source the mulch can contain toxic chemicals
including weed killers.
A sort a related story - fellow in my Florida neighborhood dug black
muck out of the ditch behind his house and put it on his vegetable garden,
all his plants died, the ditch had been sprayed with weed killer by the
mosquito control district.
Know where you soil, mulch, etc., comes from before you put it on your
plants.
Billy on the Florida Space Coast

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jerry Meislik++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++