Hi,

I am starting to make my own soil, using turface, pine bark, and sand.
I have a bag of Turface, and the screened pine bark. However,I have
not been able to locate any coarse sand at my local garden centers.

I am here in Warner Robins, Georgia (Pretty much on the line between
Zone's 7 and 8). So if anyone knows of a place within say an hour of
Macon, that would be great. But, not the Monastery, I try buy as much
of my stuff from them as possible. It's just they dont sell the
sand/gravel I am looking for seperatley. Granted, they sell premixed
soil, and Akadama.

There are several sand suppliers and quarry's within a reasonable
distance from my house. In talking with one of these places on the
phone, I found that I was not able to describe in their terminology
what I was looking for.

Can anyone advise me on what to say to these guys when I am talking
with them? I am even considering driving to one of these places with
a bag of soil and screens to show them how big (or small) I need the
sand gains to be.

Thanks, in advance

Jay Jimerson

At 07:31 AM 11/4/2004 -0800, you wrote:
Hi,

I am starting to make my own soil, using turface, pine bark, and sand.
I have a bag of Turface, and the screened pine bark. However,I have
not been able to locate any coarse sand at my local garden centers.

This is a matter if semantics. If you will look for pea gravel in a size
between 1/8 and 1/4 inch you will find the material that you need.

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At 07:31 AM 11/4/2004 -0800, you wrote:
Hi,

I am starting to make my own soil, using turface, pine bark, and sand.
I have a bag of Turface, and the screened pine bark. However,I have
not been able to locate any coarse sand at my local garden centers.

This is a matter if semantics. If you will look for pea gravel in a size
between 1/8 and 1/4 inch you will find the material that you need.

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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

What people call "sand", or even "coarse sand" can vary greatly. most of
us agree that something with granules in the neighborhood of 1/8" is about
right for general use in bonsai. There are 2 good sources for this size
"sand": masonary yards and pool supply stores. Masons use it in grout, and
pool people as filter material. Once you've found a source, there is one
more thing to watch for: composition of the material offered. Sometimes it
is heavily dosed with lime, something acid-loving plants won't tolerate.
Sometimes it is dosed with sulfur.
Another problem for roots.
Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: "jim"
To:
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 12:38 PM
Subject: [IBC] Help: locating coarse sand as a soil component



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I went to a gravel company nearby the river and got coarse sand from them.
I can't exactly remember what size but I'm thinking it was 15. My husband
said 18 but I'm thinking it was more 15 or maybe 12. The added plus is that
it is a pleasing shade of brown that matches with the soil components a lot
better. It ran me about $1 for 100 lb.. You have to pay a handling charge
of about $10. The more you buy the less the cost overall but it is HEAVY
and I have yet to have gone through the 100 pounds. I have small trees
though. They put it in bags but you'll want them in smaller bags if you
don't want to carry a large bag. Also a tarp under it helps if the bags
break.

--
(`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸.·'´)
«´¨`·. *katie**¤
(¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'·.¸)`'·.¸)
¸.·´ »§«©»§«
( `·.¸
`·.¸ )
¸.·)´
(.·´
`*.


Hi,

I am starting to make my own soil, using turface, pine bark, and sand.
I have a bag of Turface, and the screened pine bark. However,I have
not been able to locate any coarse sand at my local garden centers.

I am here in Warner Robins, Georgia (Pretty much on the line between
Zone's 7 and 8). So if anyone knows of a place within say an hour of
Macon, that would be great. But, not the Monastery, I try buy as much
of my stuff from them as possible. It's just they dont sell the
sand/gravel I am looking for seperatley. Granted, they sell premixed
soil, and Akadama.

There are several sand suppliers and quarry's within a reasonable
distance from my house. In talking with one of these places on the
phone, I found that I was not able to describe in their terminology
what I was looking for.

Can anyone advise me on what to say to these guys when I am talking
with them? I am even considering driving to one of these places with
a bag of soil and screens to show them how big (or small) I need the
sand gains to be.

Thanks, in advance

Jay Jimerson

Jay: Ask them for blasting sand.

Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org


-----Original Message-----
From: jjpsych

Hi,
I am starting to make my own soil, using turface, pine bark, and
sand.
I have a bag of Turface, and the screened pine bark. However,I
have
not been able to locate any coarse sand at my local garden
centers.

I am here in Warner Robins, Georgia (Pretty much on the line
between
Zone's 7 and 8). So if anyone knows of a place within say an hour
of
Macon, that would be great. But, not the Monastery, I try buy as
much
of my stuff from them as possible. It's just they dont sell the
sand/gravel I am looking for seperatley. Granted, they sell
premixed
soil, and Akadama.

There are several sand suppliers and quarry's within a reasonable
distance from my house. In talking with one of these places on
the
phone, I found that I was not able to describe in their
terminology
what I was looking for.

Can anyone advise me on what to say to these guys when I am
talking
with them? I am even considering driving to one of these places
with
a bag of soil and screens to show them how big (or small) I need
the
sand gains to be.

Thanks, in advance
Jay Jimerson

************************************************** ******************************
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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

On 4 Nov 2004 at 18:48, Alan Walker wrote:

Jay: Ask them for blasting sand.


Sand blasting sand comes in several grades, too. You will want
the coarsest grade (hard to find unless you live in a town with
many granite buildings that need cleaning).

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Nature
encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson

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On 4 Nov 2004 at 18:48, Alan Walker wrote:

Jay: Ask them for blasting sand.


Sand blasting sand comes in several grades, too. You will want
the coarsest grade (hard to find unless you live in a town with
many granite buildings that need cleaning).

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Nature
encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson

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************************************************** ******************************
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I tried that out here in California. What I can get is very fine. I buy aquarium sand from a gravel and sand company.

Kitsune Miko

Alan Walker wrote:
Jay: Ask them for blasting sand.

Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org


-----Original Message-----
From: jjpsych

Hi,
I am starting to make my own soil, using turface, pine bark, and
sand.
I have a bag of Turface, and the screened pine bark. However,I
have
not been able to locate any coarse sand at my local garden
centers.

I am here in Warner Robins, Georgia (Pretty much on the line
between
Zone's 7 and 8). So if anyone knows of a place within say an hour
of
Macon, that would be great. But, not the Monastery, I try buy as
much
of my stuff from them as possible. It's just they dont sell the
sand/gravel I am looking for seperatley. Granted, they sell
premixed
soil, and Akadama.

There are several sand suppliers and quarry's within a reasonable
distance from my house. In talking with one of these places on
the
phone, I found that I was not able to describe in their
terminology
what I was looking for.

Can anyone advise me on what to say to these guys when I am
talking
with them? I am even considering driving to one of these places
with
a bag of soil and screens to show them how big (or small) I need
the
sand gains to be.

Thanks, in advance
Jay Jimerson

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++


****
"Expectations are resentments under construction."

Anne Lamott

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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

I tried that out here in California. What I can get is very fine. I buy aquarium sand from a gravel and sand company.

Kitsune Miko

Alan Walker wrote:
Jay: Ask them for blasting sand.

Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org


-----Original Message-----
From: jjpsych

Hi,
I am starting to make my own soil, using turface, pine bark, and
sand.
I have a bag of Turface, and the screened pine bark. However,I
have
not been able to locate any coarse sand at my local garden
centers.

I am here in Warner Robins, Georgia (Pretty much on the line
between
Zone's 7 and 8). So if anyone knows of a place within say an hour
of
Macon, that would be great. But, not the Monastery, I try buy as
much
of my stuff from them as possible. It's just they dont sell the
sand/gravel I am looking for seperatley. Granted, they sell
premixed
soil, and Akadama.

There are several sand suppliers and quarry's within a reasonable
distance from my house. In talking with one of these places on
the
phone, I found that I was not able to describe in their
terminology
what I was looking for.

Can anyone advise me on what to say to these guys when I am
talking
with them? I am even considering driving to one of these places
with
a bag of soil and screens to show them how big (or small) I need
the
sand gains to be.

Thanks, in advance
Jay Jimerson

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


****
"Expectations are resentments under construction."

Anne Lamott

************************************************** ******************************
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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Walker"
Subject: [IBC] Help: locating coarse sand as a soil component


Jay: Ask them for blasting sand.

Alan Walker
-----Original Message-----

I'd not suggest that. Blasting sand is the finest silica sand. Most swimming
pool places carry a filter sand that is a fairly coarse/clean silica sand.
Pretty good for the silica sand part of soil mix. If you can locate a good
gravel yard nearby they might have a nice silica sand that is a little more
coarse. That's where mine comes from. You can get it cheap by weight so
bring some trash cans, but they usually sell it in bags also, which cost
quite a bit more than bulk. Any kind of "soil product" is MUCH cheaper by
the ton/yard price than bagged!

I am even considering driving to one of these places
with
a bag of soil and screens to show them how big (or small) I need
the
sand gains to be.

That's exactly what I'd do. That's how you source what you want. Which most
people won't bother with. That's why bonsai soil is $30-60 a bag!! I'd
sooner shot myself in the foot than pay that!! When the day comes that I
can't mix up my own soil....It'll be time to drop out of bonsai :)
Regards,
Dale

************************************************** ******************************
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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Walker"
Subject: [IBC] Help: locating coarse sand as a soil component


Jay: Ask them for blasting sand.

Alan Walker
-----Original Message-----

I'd not suggest that. Blasting sand is the finest silica sand. Most swimming
pool places carry a filter sand that is a fairly coarse/clean silica sand.
Pretty good for the silica sand part of soil mix. If you can locate a good
gravel yard nearby they might have a nice silica sand that is a little more
coarse. That's where mine comes from. You can get it cheap by weight so
bring some trash cans, but they usually sell it in bags also, which cost
quite a bit more than bulk. Any kind of "soil product" is MUCH cheaper by
the ton/yard price than bagged!

I am even considering driving to one of these places
with
a bag of soil and screens to show them how big (or small) I need
the
sand gains to be.

That's exactly what I'd do. That's how you source what you want. Which most
people won't bother with. That's why bonsai soil is $30-60 a bag!! I'd
sooner shot myself in the foot than pay that!! When the day comes that I
can't mix up my own soil....It'll be time to drop out of bonsai :)
Regards,
Dale

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++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

dalecochoy wrote:

snip

That's why bonsai soil is $30-60 a bag!! I'd
sooner shot myself in the foot than pay that!! When the day comes that I
can't mix up my own soil....It'll be time to drop out of bonsai :)
Regards,
Dale


I've been using a product from Quickrete called "Patio Paver Sand" which I found at
Home Depot. A 50 lb. bag is something like $4 or so. It is a fine gravel used for
putting under patio bricks. Sifting it out I lose maybe 25-30%. The remaining
gravel has sharp edges (I know that's not established as a plus) and is a pleasing
gray color. I think the stone is probably slate or basalt. I'd recommend it as a
good, useful and inexpensive inorganic component fo bonsai soil to be used in
conjunction with Turface.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37
Back safe on the east coast where the ocean is on the right side.

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dalecochoy wrote:

snip

That's why bonsai soil is $30-60 a bag!! I'd
sooner shot myself in the foot than pay that!! When the day comes that I
can't mix up my own soil....It'll be time to drop out of bonsai :)
Regards,
Dale


I've been using a product from Quickrete called "Patio Paver Sand" which I found at
Home Depot. A 50 lb. bag is something like $4 or so. It is a fine gravel used for
putting under patio bricks. Sifting it out I lose maybe 25-30%. The remaining
gravel has sharp edges (I know that's not established as a plus) and is a pleasing
gray color. I think the stone is probably slate or basalt. I'd recommend it as a
good, useful and inexpensive inorganic component fo bonsai soil to be used in
conjunction with Turface.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37
Back safe on the east coast where the ocean is on the right side.

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Craig,
I've certainly seen that here in Ohio. I think it's also the same 'Snow
traction" product the road dept uses in areas where they don't use salt ( or
in bad winters when they run out of salt!). I always thought it was
limestone but never really checked on it since I live near where they make
haydite.
Dale Cochoy, Wild Things Bonsai Studio, Hartville, Ohio
http://www.WildThingsBonsai.Com
Specializing in power wood carving tools.
Yakimono no Kokoro bonsai pottery of hand-built stoneware
----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Cowing"
To: "dalecochoy"
Cc:
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 11:07 AM
Subject: [IBC] Help: locating coarse sand as a soil component




dalecochoy wrote:

snip

That's why bonsai soil is $30-60 a bag!! I'd
sooner shot myself in the foot than pay that!! When the day comes that
I
can't mix up my own soil....It'll be time to drop out of bonsai :)
Regards,
Dale


I've been using a product from Quickrete called "Patio Paver Sand" which I
found at
Home Depot. A 50 lb. bag is something like $4 or so. It is a fine gravel
used for
putting under patio bricks. Sifting it out I lose maybe 25-30%. The
remaining
gravel has sharp edges (I know that's not established as a plus) and is a
pleasing
gray color. I think the stone is probably slate or basalt. I'd recommend
it as a
good, useful and inexpensive inorganic component fo bonsai soil to be used
in
conjunction with Turface.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37
Back safe on the east coast where the ocean is on the right side.



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++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++
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